Does anyone really like buying and giving out Christmas cards? When people talk about the over-commercialization of Christmas, Christmas cards are often named as one of the culprits. When did it ever become trendy to give people folded pieces of paper with cutesy, over-cliched sayings and pictures? It's tough to say. Nevertheless, the Christmas card giving tradition is firmly entrenched and not likely to go away anytime soon. That being the case, one would do well to at least learn how to give cool and interesting ones versus the cheesy, forgettable ones most people give.

Here are some general principles:

1) Send an actual card, not an "e-card"

It has become trendy in recent years to send "e-cards" via e-mail instead of actual cards via actual mail. This is seen as cute, clever, or unique, since it bucks the long-standing tradition of physical cards. While some e-cards are cool, and some people enjoy getting them, it often comes off as tacky. It indicates a lack of effort from the sender. For this reason, it is good practice to not send e-cards, at least not to people you truly care about. Take the time to pick out a unique and interesting physical card.

2) Don't pick out a card with impossible-to-read cursive writing

Nothing is worse than someone handing you a card face-to-face and you having to squint to see what it means. Not because the text is too small, but because it's written in ridiculously over-pretentious, old English style, looks like it was written with a feather pen cursive! This is seen as sophisticated, festive, and formal, but in actuality, often comes off as boring and tacky. The phrase "it's been done" comes to mind. If you want to give a card that conveys a serious meaning, opt for one with printed, easily read text that hits home immediately. Having to squint to understand the words lessens the effect.

3) Funny cards are great, but not cliched funny

In the world of cliched, serious, and pretentious cards, funny cards are a welcome breath of fresh air. But sadly, even humorous cards have been siezed upon by cliches, over-used jokes, and stale punchlines that sound like they were lifted from Hee-Haw reruns. Examples of this include cards that fart when you open them, cards with generic knock-knock jokes, or cards with almost-naked men or women. Don't give people cards like that. Rather, try to select a funn card that is in some way relevant, perhaps one that has to do with an inside joke you have, or a shared memory.

4) Don't write something ultra-sentimental if it's not warranted

Everyone has one of "those relatives" whom you never see or talk to during the year, but who writes out Christmas cards as though you are close. Maybe it's a distant aunt who gushes in the card about how "special" you are or how much they miss you, or an out-of-state grandmother (who you've met all of twice) who still feels compelled to write how she "can't wait to see you again." Try to avoid writing things like that unless you actually mean them. If you write them without meaning them, and it's obvious that you don't mean them, your card will be seen as hoaky and phony.