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Original poster

Donating to charity instead of sending Christmas cards

107 replies

Askingforafriendtoday · 01/01/2026 13:24

Probably get slammed but why do people need to excuse ( as I see it) not sending Christmas cards by saying they are donating to charity? If you cannot be bothered/are too busy/cannot afford to send Christmas cards don't send them and explain why if you wish. If you want to/can afford to donate to charity do, if you don't/can't, don't. I find the justification really annoying. I love receiving Christmas cards, they help decorate the house beautifully, glittery, golden bits catching the light, and I'm interested in people's news if I'm not in regular contact with them. Charity Christmas cards are a good idea too, all chariyies only get a percentage of donations as it is.

OP posts:
Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 01/01/2026 13:33

From someone who does this...

Because cards are a waste of money, they are expensive to buy and post and ultimately end up in the bin.

Instead I donate the money to a cuase that will actually do some good like Social Bite or my local food bank

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/01/2026 13:32

Celestialmoods · 01/01/2026 13:29

I agree with you, and it makes it worse that these announcements of charity donations instead of Christmas cards always come with an air of sanctimonious superiority and the implication that cards received are not appreciated.

Charity gifts are never done for the benefit of the recipient or a charity they would have chosen themselves. They are for lazy people who like to make themselves sound more charitable than they really are.

Maybe you just have some shit friends. I’ve only had this once, and the text said along the lines of ‘happy Christmas, sending money to charity this year rather than Christmas cards’, not OTT or looking for glory at all. And I don’t care what charity they donated their own money to. If your friends/family want to act like gods for doing so then maybe look at the company you keep.

Itsmetheflamingo · 01/01/2026 13:31

I don’t get it either. How much do they spend on Xmas cards? It’s not going to be a significant donation is it so why chose this to give up for charity?

You wouldn’t let everyone know you’ve given up a pub lunch to donate the money to charity so seems weird to do it for this

MyThreeWords · 01/01/2026 13:29

I've seen this lots on MN this year, but surely most people who don't send cards make this decision without announcing/making a donation to charity.

I just gave up on cards a few years ago - no alternative expenditure, no announcement.

mamajong · 01/01/2026 13:29

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/01/2026 13:27

I don’t think it’s that hard to understand, someone may typically spend for example £10 on Christmas cards but now realises it’s pointless sending them (in their opinion) so they send a text instead but give the £10 to charity because why not? It’s not always an excuse or a justification like people feel the need to answer to you, it’s just an fyi. They’re literally rubbish posted out to people, an extra £10 or whatever to a charity instead is fine

This! Its not really that hard to understand surely

Celestialmoods · 01/01/2026 13:29

I agree with you, and it makes it worse that these announcements of charity donations instead of Christmas cards always come with an air of sanctimonious superiority and the implication that cards received are not appreciated.

Charity gifts are never done for the benefit of the recipient or a charity they would have chosen themselves. They are for lazy people who like to make themselves sound more charitable than they really are.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/01/2026 13:27

I don’t think it’s that hard to understand, someone may typically spend for example £10 on Christmas cards but now realises it’s pointless sending them (in their opinion) so they send a text instead but give the £10 to charity because why not? It’s not always an excuse or a justification like people feel the need to answer to you, it’s just an fyi. They’re literally rubbish posted out to people, an extra £10 or whatever to a charity instead is fine