Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Has the cost of Stamps killed off the Xmas Cards?

178 replies

girlfriend44 · 27/09/2024 11:15

I don't send cards anymore anyway, but wondered will they die out with the cost of stamps now?

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 27/09/2024 12:03

I think it was on the way out anyway.

Years ago, you might not have had any contact or updates from friends or family. The annual Christmas card might be the only check in you had!

Nowadays… I can check in with those friends via WhatsApp in minutes, see their social media updates etc.

I do still send some cards but very few - and because I also like receiving some! It’s usually close family, friends that are abroad or very far away (only a couple), and I might give one by hand to any friends I see face to face.

They are nice as part of the decorations!

Flugelb1nder · 27/09/2024 12:01

its a shame but yeah

armadillio · 27/09/2024 12:01

Our office are pretty relaxed about staff sending personal letters by normal second class post but even then I can’t be bothered to send cards to anyone.

StarSwooshSpangles · 27/09/2024 12:00

LuckysDadsHat · 27/09/2024 11:35

In Singapore they do a cheap Xmas card stamp (it was about 50p) for December. Royal Mail should do that here.

I was thinking that but I still think with the internet people won't bother .

TheFormidableMrsC · 27/09/2024 11:59

I don't send cards unless I can hand them over or hand deliver with a couple of exceptions. I can't afford the cost of postage now, it's utterly outrageous.

StarSwooshSpangles · 27/09/2024 11:58

Toomanysquishmallows · 27/09/2024 11:26

I think it is a custom that has been dying out for years . I think social media has probably played a big part in this .

I think so too . People sent them before the internet with a small round robin letter or a message as telephone calls were expensive. They were also part of the decorations . People just put a tree up now .

ItTook9Years · 27/09/2024 11:58

LuckysDadsHat · 27/09/2024 11:35

In Singapore they do a cheap Xmas card stamp (it was about 50p) for December. Royal Mail should do that here.

Why? They’re so unbelievably wasteful and ultimately end up as something else to recycle.

Haven’t sent any for well over 20 years and any that arrive (thankfully few these days) go straight in the recycling bin.

Sartre · 27/09/2024 11:56

It will play a part but I think it’s an old tradition younger generations haven’t seen the need to keep up with. The internet has probably killed them more than anything, people just send a merry Christmas text now instead.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/09/2024 11:56

I do think it is a factor - both the cost and the difficulty finding an open post office, queuing to get all the different stamps...in the end you think "fuck it, this is ridiculous".

WOPRsystem · 27/09/2024 11:55

@girlfriend44 social media / facebook is the new ways for most of the public

JudgeJ · 27/09/2024 11:51

LuckysDadsHat · 27/09/2024 11:35

In Singapore they do a cheap Xmas card stamp (it was about 50p) for December. Royal Mail should do that here.

They used to do a postcard rate for cards, you had to leave the envelope unsealed, just tucked in. It's the only industry where there are fewer customers so they put the prices up!

KrisAkabusi · 27/09/2024 11:41

It's not the cost of stamps, its that nobody sends any post now that email, whatsapp and social media exist. Why spend a few quid on a card, plus postage, plus going to the post office when there are far easier ways of reminding someone you exist once a year.

hopeishere · 27/09/2024 11:37

We definitely get fewer and fewer cards. I think the price of stamps definitely has an impact.

MotherJessAndKittens · 27/09/2024 11:37

My card sending has gone down year on year and considering stopping all but hand delivered. Some friends send ecards but I don’t really like them. I would instead donate the money to the charity I get them from apart from DC’s as the school and nursery get kids to design and they would be sad if I didn’t buy them. I sent 2 cards to DB from us and DM in one envelope (silly me I realise) and he had to pay extra at PO to get them! Was so embarrassed 🙈

LuckysDadsHat · 27/09/2024 11:35

In Singapore they do a cheap Xmas card stamp (it was about 50p) for December. Royal Mail should do that here.

user1471556818 · 27/09/2024 11:33

Yes it's sad .Even letters are a very rare treat .I love seeing old letters and postcards such a snap shot of society. Getting a love letter when younger .

MrsSkylerWhite · 27/09/2024 11:32

Haven’t bought stamps for ages. Was amazed at the price when I bought one yesterday.
Will be trimming the list right down and sending earlier by second class this year.

Icepinkeskimo · 27/09/2024 11:31

I believe the cost of stamps has definitely, contributed to people not sending out christmas cards and actually birthday cards etc. Such a shame, I used to love receiving a lovely card on special occasions. A text message or similar just doesn't cut it.

JudgeJ · 27/09/2024 11:31

girlfriend44 · 27/09/2024 11:15

I don't send cards anymore anyway, but wondered will they die out with the cost of stamps now?

I've included a Christmas card in with birthday cards I've sent since I found out the cost of a stamp recently!

RabbitsRock · 27/09/2024 11:30

I only send cards to relatives/friends that I don’t see & will be shortening my list even more this year. Stamps are astronomical!

NahNotHavingIt · 27/09/2024 11:30

No it's been slowly dying out for years.

I only ever really get them from elderly relatives and the elderly volunteers I work with.

halava · 27/09/2024 11:27

Texts/Whatsapp with gifs or pictures of family now. The Christmas card era is all but over for most of the current generation.

Toomanysquishmallows · 27/09/2024 11:26

I think it is a custom that has been dying out for years . I think social media has probably played a big part in this .

AnyFucker · 27/09/2024 11:26

Hopefully

Over40Overdating · 27/09/2024 11:25

I thought about starting to send cards last year as I loved getting cards when younger and wanted to start the tradition with friends kids. The cost of stamps put me off sending many! I was shocked to be honest.

Swipe left for the next trending thread