'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years

What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades.

In 1964, Carol and Bob Kadash mailed a Christmas card to their friend Richard Stobart. The next year, Stobert mailed his gifted card back to the Kadash’s, beginning their long-running tradition.

"Christmas, we always kept in touch. We always sent those cards back and forth with a little letter and kind of holidays what was going on and it has carried on all these years," Carol told CTV News.

Stobert now lives in Calgary and he’s happy the cards haven’t been lost in the mail at any point over the course of the past 60 years.

"I have been transferred several times. The card has followed us all around the country and shows up every year," he explained.

2024 will mark the 60th year the two cards have been exchanged between the friends. (Mick Favel/CTV News)

The cards have become a record log, tracking the major changes between the friends, from new additions to the families to the tragic losses.

"My husband passed away in 2010, so Richard wasn’t sure if I was going to continue, and I thought 'Well why not?' Bill’s name came off and it’s just my name in the now and we just continue to do it," Carol explained.

Kadash and Stobert know card exchanges have changed over the years – but the two friends maintain that a handwritten letter carries an added personal touch.

"If you have some good friends, send them a card," said Stobert. "Try the same thing we tried. It’s a nice way to connect and keep up with family."

This year, both cards were in the mail ahead of the Canada Post strike, arriving at their destination safely – ready to continue the cycle in 2025.