Over the years, my brother Kevin and I entertained friends and relatives with some Wacky Christmas cards. Some of you who received our cards probably wondered why we went to all the trouble when store-bought cards were readily available AND on clearance the day after Christmas at 75 percent off.
I guess that explains why my brother and I never became accountants.
My father spent a few hours on this composite photo. It involves at least two, if not three, prints. You can see where he penciled in our collars if you look closely. We lived in Hastings Ranch, Calif., at the time.
We inherited the peculiar spirit of Christmas from our father, who spent hours concocting photo cards the old-fashioned way, with film, a black & white silver-based print from his darkroom, a pair of scissors, and some Elmer's Glue.
Kevin and I updated the procedure a bit over time. Early on, Kodak received our first attempts. Then, we took the process in-house after the invention of the Macintosh computer, Photoshop, and photo-quality printers.
Buying clearance cards might have saved us a few dollars, but it is the thought that counts. And making some of our cards required a lot of forethought. We planned the card the year before, while the decorations were handy in some instances. Kevin would siphon off a few fireworks for props from his Independence Day stash in other cases.
The first card I remember making with my brother is below. It is a "studio" shot of a broken Christmas ornament next to the tip of his crutch. It was not precisely a laugh-riot, but it was personal and Kevin's way of letting everyone know he has muscular dystrophy and not to feel sorry for him. He went on from there and produced several dozen cards over the years with a similar theme. His brain worked fine.
This card set the stage for many more Christmas cards. The joke was Kevin’s.
After I left for college, my dad and mom took over the photography side of the business for Kevin while he became the producer.
I still make my own cards because I think it’s fun to do.
So, if you received a card from one of us, know that you were on our minds way before Santa's elves finished mucking out the reindeer stalls on Christmas Eve the year before.
Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year!
