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Original poster

Does anyone send Christmas cards still?

107 replies

trader21c · 09/12/2023 06:49

Every year I resolve to stop then someone sends me one and I worry about offending them if I don’t reciprocate. It’s a faff and expensive to buy a stamp when I’m in touch with anyone I might want to wish a Happy Christmas to on social media. But every year I crumble just prolonging the process … do you send Xmas cards? Even a few? Or is it an old tradition that genuinely is dying out? Not sure how to play it this year …

OP posts:
DianaTiana · 10/12/2023 18:17

I'm another one who loves Christmas but can't be bothered with Christmas cards so don't send any. I get slightly annoyed when I receive one but I know I'm being horrible!

DRS1970 · 10/12/2023 18:21

My spouse sends out cards, but I stopped years ago. I just don't feel the waste they generate is very environmentally friendly.

MaidOfSteel · 10/12/2023 18:26

I love receiving Xmas cards and we still send around 20 between us. It used to be around 75, so we have cut back a lot, mostly due to the cost of stamps.

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sandletown · 10/12/2023 18:35

About 50 this year. Still send them to family, friends and parents friends (those who are still alive)

Loafbeginsat60 · 10/12/2023 18:50

No. Dd make some at school which I give to grannies and aunties but that's it

Isanyonereallyanonymous · 10/12/2023 19:19

Love getting and sending Christmas cards!
But I only really send to my family, done mine today, so 4 cards.
I do also do them for the vets/cat sitter/groom to go with a token gesture box of chocolates and one will go in the parcel I send up to my best friend.

Panpastels · 10/12/2023 19:19

Only ones that I have to, like parents, my kids etc. I hate receiving them from anyone apart from loved ones and never post any - it's a total waste of energy Xmas Confused

Hbh17 · 10/12/2023 19:21

I gave cut down from about 80 to 30+ (but 99% still posted). It does make life rather easier.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 10/12/2023 19:26

I have sent them up until last year, but half of them never arrived, and the rest were very late (to Australia and the US). When I look at the cost of postage and the increasing unreliability of the Royal Mail, I'm just not doing it this year. It is an expensive and wasted effort!

HoHoHoliday · 10/12/2023 19:33

"It’s a faff when I’m in touch with anyone I might want to wish a Happy Christmas to on social media"

I send card, but I don't send them to keep in touch with anybody. I send them because I want to share a bit of Christmas with the recipient. For me it's the same principle as giving/receiving gifts. I only buy gifts for a small number of people but I send a card with a heartfelt message to others.
So yes, I send cards, I enjoy writing and sending them, I enjoy receiving them. I put them up around my living room as part of the decorations.

treacledan71 · 10/12/2023 19:37

About 8 to distant elderly relatives that don't really speak to throughout the year. 2 sets of friends we send a nice one family to family ones. More my friend likes to do it than us. Totally stopped with family now ie sister etc.

luckylavender · 10/12/2023 20:14

Yes I do, I love them. I have cut back. Sent around 80 in the post this year.

Walkacrossthesand · 11/12/2023 00:52

I send Christmas cards to friends/family I don't see every day, with a note in; I enjoy getting their cards & notes in return! The list is getting smaller, especially since I 'pruned' the ones who I never saw even if I was in their area - that started to seem really pointless.

Always bought direct from charity shops, so it's a donation too. Hand delivered wherever possible, in the run-up to Christmas.

I like thinking of them as I write it, and thinking of them receiving it - it's a little communication and a reminder of the friendship.

Sugarfree23 · 11/12/2023 00:59

I'm sad, I keep a note of who sent them last year. Unfortunately most of ours end up in the post which is an expensive pain.

MarieStellaMaris · 11/12/2023 01:08

Yes, it's a lovely tradition, I enjoy sending them and receiving them and they're an excellent way of letting people know you're thinking of them if like me you haven't been very good at keeping in touch.

Catsmere · 11/12/2023 01:47

I don't, and have one friend who does despite knowing I don't, and knowing I have nowhere to put them, so I find the whole thing irritating these days. I used to do it, but that was ten years ago.

chapelhatpeg · 11/12/2023 01:57

I still send cards but my list is dwindling. I keep my last years cards and if anyone passes away I put theirs up, my thoughts are they would have sent me one had they been alive. Sadly, my deceased stack is increasing.

FrostieBoabby · 11/12/2023 02:11

I send about 15 in the post, mainly very elderly distant relatives I haven't seen for 30 years and will probably never see again. But, these are the relatives that never forgot my bday as a child and always sent my kids a little Xmas present and Easter egg so I like to think I'm keeping my end if the bargain. It is a tradition that will end with us though, i can't imagine the next generation will bother which will be of great benefit to the environment.

Roselilly36 · 11/12/2023 02:19

I am cutting down on posting cards this year. Everyone I know has said the same.

I noticed a big drop in cards that we received last year, so I am only planning on sending cards to those that sent them last year 😂 sounds mean but it’s a lot of faff, and you can’t always rely on RM to deliver them on time.

last December I posted a birthday card to a friend on 1 Dec, first class, for her birthday mid Dec, she didn’t receive it til after her birthday. I know it’s a busy time of year for RM, but honestly over two weeks to deliver. It puts you off sending, postage is expensive, cards are expensive and if you go to the effort to send, you should expect a decent service.

MrBojnokopffsPurpleHat · 11/12/2023 02:22

Yes, I have 7 elderly relatives in the UK who do not use social media, and appreciate a Christmas/Birthday Card. Otherwise, I would be happy to stop altogether.

littlebopeepp234 · 11/12/2023 05:37

I don’t really send Xmas cards anymore and I’ve found that 99% of people I know also no longer send them and just send a message or an email every year saying they won’t be sending Christmas cards this year as they will be donating to charity instead - however, I do not believe for one minute that every single one of these people are actually donating the £2 it would cost them for a box of cards to charity, I think it’s just a way of saying they can’t be arsed to send them. Not that I’m bothered either way.

BoohooWoohoo · 11/12/2023 05:48

I send them to people who I see in person but don’t know (or particularly want to know) their home address eg the window cleaner, neighbours or work colleagues. I obviously know my neighbours address but I can send them without a stamp

letsallmeetupinthehyear2000 · 27/12/2023 14:08

I post around 28 cards. Yes it is expensive but I buy charity cards ( so I’m supporting them) and try to write a short message. I receive the same number back but thats not why I do it. These are all people I’ve “ known” for years and years but prob never see - we live far from each other - but it’s just a nice way of keeping in touch even if only once a year. It’s about happy memories I think for me. One thing I don’t understand though is - in my street I have around 7 neighbours who are also friends. We help each other out. Sometimes meet for chats, walks, coffee, wine etc. I send them all cards but receive none back. They live yards away, and are all similar age to me (ie not young) I can’t help feeling it’s sad. People say “ it’s too much effort” I think that’s sad too. They don’t even have to buy a stamp. It just seems mean spirited. Sainsburys had charity cards for about £1.25 for 10.

BetiYeti · 27/12/2023 14:24

I cut back a lot on the amount I normally send. I have found it liberating this year, I’m so busy in the run up to Christmas and it’s a chore to sit and down and write cards out. I send them to family and hand deliver to friends and neighbours. My DH always says he’ll help write the cards out, but never does so it’s nice to cut back on one task. If he wants more to go out, he’ll have to write them out and buy the stamps.

girlfriend44 · 27/12/2023 14:28

No I don't send or receive. Just tell people early that your not doing it anymore.They will be relieved.