Is it just me who would be happy never to receive another greetings card?

[clary]

Random thread slightly inspired by another – am I the only person who really would be fine, totally fine, never to receive another card – Christmas, birthday, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day...?

All I do with them is recycle them and it seems such a waste. Ones from the office with 20 pp writing Happy bday Clary – even ones from my DC? In fact those are worse bc I feel I should keep them and treasure them.

Honestly in this electronic age, just send me a text or message me on socials. Much greener and doesn't involve recycling. Reduce is much better. Or in the case of DC, wish me actual happy birthday. Make me dinner. Hoover up. Give me a hug.

I would really rather have the money, I can’t lie. Instead of writing “love Dave and Sue” on a piece of folded card with a pic of Santa on, and posting it to me, just PayPal me the £1 you spent (with the postage it would be that much even second class!). If everyone did that and then just messaged me I’d be well away haha.

This is slightly lighthearted and I am sure there will be a flock of ppl telling me how horribly miserable I am. Really tho? I am glad to speak to and get messages from friends. That brightens my day. But in 2025 there is zero need to write the message in a card, surely.

Ah what a shame, it's a part of our culture. I love giving and receiving them still. A French friend of mine loves receiving my Christmas card every year, and sees it as something unique from her British friend. My Dad recently passed away and whilst I appreciated the texts, I am more comforted by the sympathy cards that people have taken the time to write and send. A schoolfriend used to send her Grandma a postcard when she went out and about to different places. It's a bit of effort to show someone they mean something to you. Something special about receiving something handwritten through the post in the digital age.

It never ceases to amaze me what some people moan about on MN. A birthday without cards would be a pretty miserable day.

I love getting cards and I really like choosing them for other people. Most people who send me cards put a lot of thought into picking one that I’ll especially like.

In general, I’m someone who doesn’t believe that everything in life has to be practical and functional.

You sound fun.

Pointless waste of money

and when parents send a card to each other and pretend it's from the child, usually done if child is under five, what is that all about

I don't think someone remembering your birthday by giving you a card is pointless.

What miserable lives some on MN lead.

I put all cards straight into the bin.

Every. Single. One.

It's about giving a shit about someone.

I only open them to check if there's money inside.
Then they go straight into the bin.

You tell people who have given you a card that? You should.so they don't bother with you any more.

I’m with you on this, complete waste of a forest 🤷‍♀️

I don't care. I don't want their silly cards anyway.

No, I love cards. It was my birthday last week and still have all my cards up - I got about 30 and it was so lovely seeing my friends’ handwriting. I don’t keep them forever.

Do you bother with presents, we don't with them either

I give the children money, but nobody gives or receives presents in our family.
(DH sometimes gets me jewellery but that's random)

I love a card! Much nicer to get a card with handwriting than yet another text or messsge that you feel obliged to respond to and then fail to respond to.

The entire point is that a physical card implies a gift or a message or an “I’m thinking of you/happy birthday” with no reciprocal obligation — whereas a message/text makes you feel you should reply.

That’s why a card in lots of circumstances is just the right thing.

I don’t mind sending or receiving cards, with the exception of Christmas cards. They are so pointless and expensive, and such a waste of time. I want to stop doing Christmas cards (but it’s not that simple).

For you clearly. Not for me though. Pieces of cardboard with someone’s name on and Happy Birthday don’t make me feel cheerful. If they make you cheerful then that’s great as long as you still get them. Tbh I would say on my last birthday I received a card from work, one from DH who still insists on it, one from DS1 bc DH insisted, none from DD or DS2 bc they know my views. One from one sibling, none from the other. One from a friend. I was not miserable about it at all :) except that ppl had wasted money on unwanted cards. I really don't see why it is miserable.

Love a card, so personal.

Hope none of you going on about the environment don't take flights either.

We don't celebrate birthdays or other such days in our household so maybe it's different if you do

I didn't get any cards for my last birthday.
Or the one before.
Etc. Etc. Forever.

I don't care. I don't like cards. They're pointless.

I hope they don't read books either, Won't somebody think of the trees.

If someone sends you a greeting message though are you supposed to answer it, that would be annoying