That single guy, what a card!

Byline: Eric Edwards

Five years ago, while up to my knees in the slush that passes for snow in Virginia, I made a decision that was inspired by the joyous season of giving and too many cups of Irish coffee.

"This year," I thought to myself, "I'm going to start acting like an adult and send out Christmas cards."

As anyone who has also made that decision knows, it is one that we regret for at least two weeks every year.

Of course, it sounds silly to regret such a noble and uplifting undertaking. Reaching out to loved ones with little colored pieces of paper once a year is the least we can do to show people we care.

But what I didn't know when I began the tradition and what has become apparent to me in the years since is that sending Christmas cards is one of the biggest chores we face all year. This is especially true if one isn't prone to doing too much in the way of housework. Or yardwork.

Or other kinds of work that don't offer compensation in the form of cash, food or non-dairy beverages.