Carol’s cards typify spirit of Christmas
THE Christmas spirit still arrives by post. Millions of parcels bought online are mailed out, and thousands of letters to and from Santa.
But what about the art of the handmade Christmas card?
During a rare trim at the Surf Parade Hair Salon at Broadbeach, your columnist stumbled upon fellow client Carol Pearce.
Twenty-five years ago, Carol began creating her own Christmas cards. A few weeks after our first conversation about this, a card and a letter arrived.
“I’m having trouble with the computer, so it’s easier to write,” the 83-year-old Surfers Paradise resident said.
The cards show photographs of Carol with family at Milford Sound in New Zealand, back home in Suffolk, and with her old school mate Julie paraflying at Airlie Beach, their smiles as wide as the blue ocean behind them.
They joined a few cards on my desk from pollies – among them Broadwater MP David Crisafulli posing for a shot with Santa – but none as bright as Carol’s.
Looking at my mobile phone, Facebook “friends” keep sending the same Santa song. Others text with Christmas greetings.
But a lot of work had gone into those cards from Carol. It was time to call her on her home phone.
“I’ve just got three cards sent to me these last couple of days. It’s a wonderful way to keep in touch with people,” she said.
A friend from down south had written: “Carol, my wife died in May.”
She made a mental note to keep in touch. “I know he’s alone now,” Carol said.
By January’s end she will start buying up cards for Christmas 2020. A call will be made to a company in Tamworth for her special glue; another to a small business here to get her personal labels.
“Phil and I lived in Sydney for 29 years. In Christmas 1998 he was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live. We decided to take no notice of that,” she said of her late husband.
The former air hostess returned to England, sought alternative medical advice and she and her husband were given precious extra time, retiring to Sanctuary Cove.
It is impossible to get a precise breakdown on how cards from artists like Carol increase the mail this time of year. Letter volumes have halved in the past decade.
Australia Post is likely to deliver 40 million parcels this month. Santa Mail is becoming increasingly popular, with the big fella sending about 130,000 messages to kids.
“To me, it’s like the highlight of my year,” Carol said. “I’m different. A lot of people, they draw up their lip and say ‘how the hell can you be bothered?’
“Some of the cards (in the stores) are so beautiful, I hope they keep going, so many beautiful things are going out of business.”
Just how many cards were sent out? “About 150 this year,” Carol replied.
It seems a high number. “I’ve met so many new people in my life,” she said, before pausing.
“You think you lose friends as time goes on. I meet new friends. I’m in an apartment with 40 people here.”
So a conversation about the real spirit of Santa started in a hair salon.
Perhaps that trim should happen more often. We should all talk more and not text our thoughts, maybe write a letter, make up a card. Take some care this time of year.
Merry Christmas everyone.