Welcome to a weekly segment called "Social Circle." It's OnMilwaukee.com's first article that's truly a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors. Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in the Thursday column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.
There are so many reasons why people might decide not to send holiday cards via the United States Postal Service anymore. It costs money. It takes a lot of time. It's not particularly environmentally friendly. And, of course, now there's Facebook, where people post the photos they want to share all the time, not just once a year.
And yet, some folks still send greetings via snail mail because it's tradition or because they simply enjoy doing it.
This week, members of the Social Circle were on both sides of the fence on this issue, but leaning heavily toward tradition.
And what about you? Will you send cards via the postal service this year? Post a photo and a greeting on Facebook? Or neither? Weigh in via the Talkback feature.
Elaine Alred: "I do a little of both."
Stephanie Bartz: "I still like sending snail to both personal and business. It's also another way to shamelessly self promote. Girl's gottta do what a girl's gotta do."
Beth Braun: "I may forgo snail mail holiday cards. A lot of work and money to send photos that people can see on Facebook anyways. But I will say that I do enjoy receiving them. Double standard?"
Denise Cawley: "I love sending and receiving real cards."
Melanie Chester: "Classically snail."
Matthew P. Eells: "Snail. Tangible things cannot be surpassed."
Russ Fascia: "Snail."
Skip Forrest: "Snail mail is a personal touch. You've touched them, written on them, licked them, addressed them and taken time to feeeeel. Abandon tactile at our peril."
Michael Horne: "This year, I am sending foreign-language Christmas cards with Hanukkah stamps."
Tammy Kolbe: "Snail. Still do those annoying kid pics, too."
Catherine Koons Hubbard: "This will be our 14th year of paperless cards."
Elaine Litzau: "Snail mail."
Julie Wezyk Liotta: "I do both if I have time. ... My goal this year is to send snail mail. I haven't done it in a long time."
Katie Maedke-Hall: "I will send paper cards via snail mail if I get to it. Otherwise none."
Lisa Malmarowski: "I send them out old school and cry just a little about the trees ..."
Hannah Medrow: "Hard copy in the mail. It is a pleasure to sip a brandied cocoa and write cards while watching 'The Ref.'"
Maria Myers: "The old-fashioned way with a picture of the kids enclosed."
Angie Nikolas: "Definitely send snail mail cards. I love getting them from friends throughout the season so I hope to return the favor!"
Laura Nitsch: "Snail mail!"
Annie Ovans: "Love to send cards via the mail, however the ease of the Internet is always attractive for busy people. I found a company that lets me do both and have the best of both worlds."
Melissa Paap-Young: "Going to try Internet this year for the first time. Postage is a little steep for over 50 cards I like to send."
Michele Berg Pavlovic: "Snail ... and dreading it."
Jessica Schafer: "Snail mail. But only to people out of town or out of the country. Not people I see all the time."
Nina Schmidt: "I like to send photos to relatives we don't see often, however this year I probably won't because of Scott Walker."
LaQuisha Harrell Schroeder: "Certain things should still be sent snail mail, wedding invites and Christmas cards. It's just nice to have something in the mailbox other than junk mail."
Nancy Davis Sidhu: "I do a little of both."
Bret Spangenberg: "I don't do either form."
Chester Steve: "Paper for the holiday cards."
Jaimmie Stugard: "Snail mail or in person."
Laura Hoffman Stratte: "Snail mail, for sure. (For) invites to parties, etc. I use e-vites."
Melissa Bollow Tempel: "None of the above. No cards. I don't have time for that. I have Facebook."
Eileen Harnett Teska: "Snail mail, but only to people out of town or out of the country, not to people I see all the time. I should add I always write a note. My pet peeve is getting a card from someone with just their name. The fun – and point – of holiday cards is catching up with what's happening with non-Facebook friends. Plus I find it's good for me to spend a little time reflecting on the past year for our family and writing about it briefly. Turns into a family history over the years."
Janet Lynn Wilkinson-Kutil: "Snail mail with a smile."
Wendy Winkler: "I never give up on sending Christmas cards via U.S. mail."
Janice Gasser Zimdars: "I help support the United States Postal Service."
