Linda Hall: Remember Christmas cards?

Onslaught on Christmas cards used to be a sign Santa was on his way soon.

When I was a young girl, many years ago, I remember one Christmas to the next took forever.

However, one way I knew it was getting closer was when Christmas cards started arriving in the post.

They would be displayed on the mantelpiece until there were too many and then a string would be strung up from one end of the mantelpiece to the other and the cards slotted onto it. There were heaps of them, bright and colourful, some with glitter, some with Christmas bells, holly, presents, and of course the man himself, Santa.

I don't remember cards being sent out but they most certainly were.

When I "grew up" and it was my turn to send and receive cards I was most disappointed with the number I got. It may have something to do with the fact that for all of my good intentions I hardly ever returned cards.

I would buy packets of them, take them home, put them somewhere prominent so I wouldn't forget to send them. Then suddenly it would be Christmas Eve and the packet of pretty cards would still be sitting in the same place unopened.

Sometimes I actually filled them out and addressed the envelopes and there they sat on the bench or the table waiting for me to pick them up and post them.

Some years I did pick them up, put them in the car or my bag with every intention of posting them. But I would come home and think "oh damn forgot to post those cards" - then it was Christmas Eve again.

I have even had stamps on cards and failed to post them. So it really serves me right that these days I'm lucky if I get one Christmas card in the post.

Posting cards is certainly not as popular today as it was in bygone days.

These days people email season's greetings or simply sent a text message.

A friend of mine says she still posts some cards but mostly she makes a phone call. She said it's a great way to catch up with people she hasn't seen all year.

Now that is a great idea. If sending Christmas cards is a dying art so, too, these days is talking to each other. Texting and emailing have taken over our conversations.

I must admit I do it myself, text instead of calling. It is the quickest way to get hold of people these days because cellphones go everywhere they do.

That's one of the nicest things about Christmas day. Gathering together and talking to family and friends. Can't wait.

In the meantime I've been on leave for a couple of weeks during which I spent a few days in Wellington.

They say you can't beat Wellington on a good day and I was lucky enough to strike a beautiful day. It was glorious. I spent most of my time along the waterfront, walking, eating and drinking.

I do love Wellington on a nice day (not as much as I love Hawke's Bay on any given day of course).

One of its strong points for me is that you can spend several days in the city without needing to drive anywhere.

Everything is so close.

I've been to Te Papa several times but this time I had a guided tour with none other than Roger Gascoigne - remember him, the radio and television host with that famous wink.

He was fantastic and knows all there is to know about the exhibitions at Te Papa.

While in Wellington I learned a lot about the New Zealand Arts Festival taking place in the city from February 26 to March 20.

There are some amazing shows planned which I'll tell you more about in the coming weeks.

In the meantime I might just go and buy some Christmas cards - or should I simply pick up the phone?

-Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.