The Holiday is "Christmas" for Heavens Sake!

[Captain Adverse]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

 

[roughdraft274]

Oh no. The humanity...

 

[SDET]

These twirps want spending from people who celebrate Christmas without acknowledging Christmas. To use a term that's all the rage: It's offensive.

 

[Viv]

Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas.

 

[sangha]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

Maybe it's because christians are so stupid that not one of them realizes that christians want to buy religiously-themed christmas cards this time of the year.

 

[Captain Adverse]

Maybe it's because christians are so stupid that not one of them realizes that christians want to buy religiously-themed christmas cards this time of the year.

I've come to expect more from you than a simple (joking?) insult of a belief system. Tsk, tsk. :naughty

 

[sangha]

I've come to expect more from you than a simple (joking?) insult of a belief system. Tsk, tsk. :naughty

I was serious.

It's obvious that there is no christian smart enough to realize that christians want religiously themed christmas cards. If such a christian existed, they'd recognize there's a market for them and they could make a mint selling what no one else is.

Heck, even you could do it but instead, you're complaining about it on the internet

 

[HonestJoe]

Shops stock whatever sells. If enough of their customers wanted religiously themed Christmas cards, they'd stock more. Presumably you're in a minority in that customer base.

I suspect that's because of a combination of reasons. I don't think many people follow your line of buying individual Christmas cards in general and those seeking religious card will probably go somewhere other than a mainstream store - I believe Christian charities is a common source and of course you can find pretty much anything on-line. There is also the fact that a significant proportion of those Americans who identify as Christian in polls and surveys don't actually live especially Christian lives day-to-day, probably including in their choices of Christmas cards.

 

[Captain Adverse]

I was serious.

It's obvious that there is no christian smart enough to realize that christians want religiously themed christmas cards. If such a christian existed, they'd recognize there's a market for them and they could make a mint selling what no one else is.

Heck, even you could do it but instead, you're complaining about it on the internet

Not really. First I am sure I could probably find things on the internet for sale. I don't SHOP on the internet because:

(A) I am not a lazy couch potato,
(B) I prefer to see/touch/examine what I am buying rather than trust pictures/video, and
(C) I don't trust my personal and financial information necessary to make online purchases in the hands of online business...they have such a wonderful track record of protecting it. :roll:

Second, companies like Hallmark already have a business whose primary function is to provide such products, yet they don't where they once did. The change has come about through PC activism, and THAT is my complaint.

 

[SDET]

Not really. First I am sure I could probably find things on the internet for sale. I don't SHOP on the internet because:

(A) I am not a lazy couch potato,
(B) I prefer to see/touch/examine what I am buying rather than trust pictures/video, and
(C) I don't trust my personal and financial information necessary to make online purchases in the hands of online business...they have such a wonderful track record of protecting it. :roll:

Second, companies like Hallmark already have a business whose primary function is to provide such products, yet they don't where they once did. The change has come about through PC activism, and THAT is my complaint.

Don't forget that to send Christmas cards, one generally uses the US Postal System. Why buy something that won't get delivered anyway?

 

[sangha]

Second, companies like Hallmark already have a business whose primary function is to provide such products, yet they don't where they once did. The change has come about through PC activism, and THAT is my complaint.

According to you, there's a huge unmet demand for a product (religiously themed holiday cards) and yet no christian is smart enough to grab that opportunity. Obviously, christians are not smart enough to know what they want. And now, you're arguing their faith in political correctness is stronger than their faith in their religion

 

[Chagos]

I wouldn't get too excited about it, seeing how Jesus wasn't born this time of year anyway. :mrgreen:

 

[Ancient Herald]

That's ebcause Christmas is actually not a Christian holiday, it's one thing in a long line of things Christians co opted.

 

[Zyphlin]

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

Likely because even with "Christians" (and there a likely a fair number of that 71% who identify as christians are far from fervent devout members of the faith), the secular aspects of Christmas, or the more secular bent of some of the religious aspects, are what many people focus on FAR more than the religious aspects.

 

[Dogger807]

For most people the religious aspect of the holiday is almost gone. Those with religious bent have been shouting "it's my ball and we'll play this the way I want!!" resulting in most people not wanting to play anymore.
I say enjoy your friends and family. Remember you love them and forgive their trespasses against you. This is the spirit of Christmas that transcends religion. If you want to think that following fairy tales is essential for the season, you go right ahead. The rest of us are moving on.

 

[William Rea]

Maybe it's because christians are so stupid that not one of them realizes that christians want to buy religiously-themed christmas cards this time of the year.

I believe that it's called the 'free market'.

 

[William Rea]

I was serious.

It's obvious that there is no christian smart enough to realize that christians want religiously themed christmas cards. If such a christian existed, they'd recognize there's a market for them and they could make a mint selling what no one else is.

Heck, even you could do it but instead, you're complaining about it on the internet

Ah, you beat me to it.

 

[William Rea]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

Nowadays, this particular Winter festival pretty much transcends Christianity (as others have pointed out, Christianity was pretty much the new kid on the block for a Winter solstice event anyway). I believe that we actually are now celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and the goods and services on offer demonstrate what that 'Christmas' looks like.

Despite all the protestations about it being for charity and such, the Christian Churches aren't exactly abstaining from commercialising it either. I can type a few words into Google and find all sorts of tat on sale by Christianity focused organisations who are vying for a market share to keep their operations going.

You could make your own cards, they will be exactly what you want and you will get the immense pleasure of creating something of your own and you could just celebrate 'Christmas' exactly how you want to and just leave everyone else to celebrate it exactly how they want to. Perhaps we'd all find some peace, goodwill and meaning in it for ourselves rather than rely on this zeitgeist that seems to sweep the Western World every twelve months.

For me, I'd rather the almost forced bonhomie that has become associated with it would disappear and people would just be good and kind for the other 364 days of the year. We seem to save up all the good in ourselves and invest it in a single day like it is some kind of repentance for being appalling human beings during the rest of the year. I hate it and I dislike it when people that wouldn't give you the time of day for a whole year suddenly become your 'friend'.

Anyways, I thought that for you guys over there that Thanksgiving' was a more significant holiday?

Note - 'Tat' is means rubbish or junk.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

Where the hell are you shopping? I cant seem to find very many nonreligious xmas cards.

 

[molten_dragon]

Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

I don't think it has anything to do with being socially unacceptable. The stores stock what sells, and religious cards probably weren't selling well.

That doesn't surprise me since most people, Christians included, celebrate Christmas as a far more secular holiday than a religious one.

 

[countryboy]

For most people the religious aspect of the holiday is almost gone. Those with religious bent have been shouting "it's my ball and we'll play this the way I want!!" resulting in most people not wanting to play anymore.
I say enjoy your friends and family. Remember you love them and forgive their trespasses against you. This is the spirit of Christmas that transcends religion. If you want to think that following fairy tales is essential for the season, you go right ahead. The rest of us are moving on.

"Most people"? That's just wishful thinking on your part. Would it be too much to ask for some evidence to support that?

 

[countryboy]

Not really. First I am sure I could probably find things on the internet for sale. I don't SHOP on the internet because:

(A) I am not a lazy couch potato,
(B) I prefer to see/touch/examine what I am buying rather than trust pictures/video, and
(C) I don't trust my personal and financial information necessary to make online purchases in the hands of online business...they have such a wonderful track record of protecting it. :roll:

Second, companies like Hallmark already have a business whose primary function is to provide such products, yet they don't where they once did. The change has come about through PC activism, and THAT is my complaint.

I have an older version of this software, and it has quite a few religious themed selections for all occasions. Plus, you can truly personalize every card, and add any relevant Scripture you wish (though some of the selections already have Scripture included). And frankly, it's a lot of fun. I recommend using the Hallmark card paper rather than a cheaper brand, the results are much better. Hallmark Card Studio 2016 | Products

In my area, the stores have good sized selections of religious cards. It could be a regional thing. Maybe you live in a heathen market. :mrgreen:

I know you said you don't like e-cards, but some of them are very cool these days, and can be highly personalized. To the point of talking cards with your own voice inserted.

 

[countryboy]

I don't think it has anything to do with being socially unacceptable. The stores stock what sells, and religious cards probably weren't selling well.

True.

That doesn't surprise me since most people, Christians included, celebrate Christmas as a far more secular holiday than a religious one.

Definitely hasn't been my experience. All the Christians I've ever known celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior at Christmas time. :shrug:

 

[Riveroaks]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

I wish people would give the USPS a break and send emails instead of Xmas cards.

I can see sending boxes or even cards with bank cheques in them. Those are gifts.

I no longer sympathize with the ages old habit of sending a fairly useless message in the mail just because you mom and dad or your vendors always did it.

 

[_Sal]

I just got back from shopping for Christmas cards and I am about as frustrated as I can be. For the last month I have been going round and round to try to find religious themed cards for this holiday. Today I found exactly THREE religious themed cards in each of two Hallmark stores (and two or less in all the other stores I checked) in aisles specifically dedicated to Christmas cards.

Unlike many I don't buy a box of cards and send everyone I know the same card. I personally consider that a lazy way to let friends and loved ones know you are thinking of them during the Christmas season.

Instead, I go out shopping for a special card for each person that I hope reflects my feelings and my knowledge of their interests and/or beliefs.

But it has become harder and harder to do in this web-connected society as people are sending more things electronically, and fewer by snail mail.

Still, when I go out to stores specializing in gifts and greeting cards I expect them to stock the appropriate products, in this case RELIGIOUS THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Everywhere I go I find cards saying "Happy Holidays," or "Seasons Greetings," turning what is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of an important religious figure into a secular holiday. Is it THAT socially unacceptable to recognize that the holiday is a Religious holiday, and accept the religious theme without rancor or offense?

Now as of the most recent Gallup Poll in 2012 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christian, while a PEW report in 2015 indicates it is 71%.

In U.S., 77% Identify as Christian

America?s Changing Religious Landscape | Pew Research Center

So someone please explain WHY, when the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian, one cannot find cards celebrating the birth of Christ to send to their friends and family?

*blink* :shock::bomb: