To Whom It May Concern...

We've started receiving Christmas cards for the former and now deceased owner of our house. Up until now, I've written Return to Sender--Deceased on all mail for her. Most of it was from charities she probably donated to. But something tells me treating Christmas cards from friends overseas would be...how should I put this...dickish.

What do I do? Write a letter Regretting to inform you to the sender? Do I forward personal mail to the deceased's son, who is probably still heartbroken over her death? I don't know if I want to bother him with it during the holidays.

Help? Advice?

Ode to a dead Poinsettia

Oh, dead Christmas flower;
(insert metaphor about how poinsettias are poisonous, deceitful, and fleeting like women in red...or something)

Why did I bother buying your velvety red bloom
when I knew all you'd do
in my sunless basement apartment
is die?

Ooh, ooh, ooh, before midnight hits....

Merry Christmas!