By and large, people are friendlier.  They come together, smile and say hello more.  Some decorate their houses inside or out to make them a little (or a lot) more attractive.  Some, I do have to say, are a bit gaudy for my tastes but I will not fault someone for communicating.  I don’t like every piece of art that I see.  

And I really think it is more important to display art that you like as opposed to art that you think will impress someone.  As to creating art, there are two parts to that.  You are always going to have your own ‘slant’ to what you create, but if you want to sell what you create, you have to, to some degree, market what people want or need.  But that is a subject for another time. 

Because of this openness of communication, I think that Christmas is a great time to use your art as a way of communicating.  For a few years now we have been sending out Christmas cards.  Sometimes it is a photo of our feet on the beach and sometimes an ‘artsy’ photo that we have made into a card.  It is a great way of staying in touch.  I know, I know, with FaceBook, Instagram and the like, it is much quicker, (and cheaper). But I do know that most people like getting that actual physical bit in the mail.  

It is also a great way to stay in touch.  I know a couple of people that would send out newsy Christmas cards, a broad letter to all bringing friends up to date on goings on from the last year.  Some didn’t like this as it was a little less personal but I honestly thought it was a great idea.  I like to know what is going on with my friends.  Though, I don’t mind the more personal touch.  

Use your art.  Create something. Take a photo. Get some cards made and send them out next Christmas.  People like attractive things. It also gets you creating and there is nothing better in the world than creating something aesthetic.  Something beautiful is like a ray gun on bad emotions or an upset.  The correct piece of music can annihilate a bad mood in seconds.  It is OK to send birthday cards as well.

My wife writes notes in a lot of our cards which makes them even more personal.  Takes some time but, hey, how much time do you spend a week in front of the TV?  I wear the hat of turning what I hope is an attractive photo into a card, getting them printed, addressed and sent.  

If you are doing your art as business, painting, drawing, photography or some visual art, you can easily incorporate something into a greeting card or even a post card.   Send out birthday cards.  Or seasonal greeting cards to your client list.  Again, people will brighten up when they receive an aesthetic card in the mail.  And you could do much worse handwriting the name and address.  Even if your handwriting is atrocious, as mine is.

While you are at it, make your life art!

Helena Bonham Carter says it best:

“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” Helena Bonham Carter

If your strength is poetry or prose, send cards to your clients or friends

with that inside or on the front of the card.  If you are a visual artist I’m sure you can find any number of decent images to use for a greeting card.   Simple to get 50 or a hundred cards made - cheaper that way - and send out regularly.  

Ideally, you want to send something of yours but if you can’t, always go for the aesthetic and as close to personal as possible.

And it doesn’t always have to be perfect.  Another great often used quote that remains true nonetheless:

“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.” Kurt Vonnegut

Art is at its heart, communication.  So, don’t get too fussy.  A nice photo of you smiling put on a card for your family at Christmas will be much appreciated.  Or a

drawing that your 8 year old did of the Christmas tree!  Pretty easy to scan and get printed as a card.  Grandma and Grandpa would go nuts over that one.  

The best thing about Christmas is the smiles and friendship. It doesn’t really matter how you greet someone as long as you greet them with a smile in a friendly manner. The words you use are so much less important than the fact that you are smiling and wishing them well. 

Others may disagree but I believe that it is important to create and communicate without necessarily expecting something back.  Do it for the love of it. 

Mom used to say that you should never wait for someone to communicate to you.  You should be the one to start.  You will be much happier that way.

Bringing a little bit of joy into the lives of others will just make the world a bit better place to live.  Sometimes all it takes is a smile or a kind word.

So, Be Good, Do Good and have a very Merry Christmas!