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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if giving Christmas cards is becoming a thing of the past?

60 replies

LarrytheCucumber · 17/12/2015 15:41

My DM (89) buys about 50 cards and sends them to all sorts of friends from the past to 'keep in touch'.
I buy about 30 cards to send to people who will be upset not to receive one (DM, D Aunt etc) and a few friends from the past. I am in my 60s.
DD (39) doesn't buy any cards except for my DM.
If we are typical, then giving Christmas cards will die out before long.
Do you buy lots of cards, and how old are you?

OP posts:
chickindude · 17/12/2015 18:00

I've sent about 50, will get around 50 or so back.
I used to send 100+
It is slowly going out of fashion. Probably not a bad thing.
I'm in my 40's

anotherbusymum14 · 17/12/2015 18:01

First time this year and I haven't done cards including for my kids to take to school. I probably sound mean but I don't really see the point of them anymore.

Notimefortossers · 17/12/2015 18:02

I say this a lot, but . . . waste of money, waste of trees!

cardibach · 17/12/2015 18:07

Deliberately gave up sending them several years ago. i hated writing them and there was no way they were sending festive feelings they were written with such bad grace!
They are a terrible environmental drain - production, transport to shop, back yo your house, postal delivery... As PPs have said, there are better ways to keep in touch now.
I'm 51.

tilliebob · 17/12/2015 18:07

We lost my dad a few months ago and I'm largely ignoring Christmas and sending no cards. I've donated to social bite (meals for homeless folks) and Refuge, and a kids cancer charity. The only card I've sent is to my 95 yo Gt uncle.

Having not had to buy/write/pay for buy stamps has been strangely liberating. I much prefer giving to charity instead.

violetbunny · 17/12/2015 18:08

I am 34 and sent out about 5. Mainly to close family members I know I won't be seeing over Xmas.
I think they are dying out.

ijustwannadance · 17/12/2015 18:10

I bought 5 and posted 2 of those. Waste of money and space.
Annoying thing is now DD has started school she is getting them. I wont buy any. If the bloody kids can't even write them out themselves what is the point? I have better things to do than sit with a class list, write 30 cards so no one feels left out, then get kid to scrawl the receivers name on envelope.
I think it's definately the older generations that cling to it and expect it.

Bubbletree4 · 17/12/2015 18:13

My kids, between them, took about 60 cards into school Shock.

So far, I have written 5. I will probably write another 5-10 and then quit. It is a chore. I get a couple of nice ones from friends who live far away, the rest are largely shit: to x from y

goodnightdarthvader1 · 17/12/2015 18:14

I don't do it, I'm 32. Neither does DH, he's 35.

FannyTheChampionOfTheWorld · 17/12/2015 18:26

I wish. Can't stand the bloody things, for the reasons already mentioned, but we seem to get more and more every year. I get why they used to be a thing, but we have better ways of keeping in touch now. I've been a refusenik for a few years now and it's great.

Bubbletree4 · 17/12/2015 18:27

I've also seen loads of old ladies arriving at the post office with huge handfuls of cards.

frikadela01 · 17/12/2015 18:33

I hate the damn things. Everyone who knows me knows they won't get one from me as I find them utterly wasteful. None of my family do Christmas or birthday cards and haven't for years. The only cards I give or appreciate getting g are ones that aren't related to an arbitrary card giving holiday... Things like thank you cards to the staff when I was a student nurse or cards I've received from patients, those cards I don't mind writing and if I get them always keep them because they aren't expected and are in my eyes more personal.

DisappointedOne · 17/12/2015 18:34

I'm 38 and I haven't sent a Xmas card for about 20 years.

IDismyname · 17/12/2015 18:36

I'm 49 and my christmas card list still exceeds 100 Shock

DH and I differ in who we should cut out - the friends we see a lot, and who we REALLY wish they a Happy Christmas, and those who we hardly see, who DH thinks we should stay in touch with.

I do agree that its the older generation who most like cards.

However, I would prefer not to get cards rather than e-cards. They are truly awful.

yorkshapudding · 17/12/2015 18:40

We don't usually do them. We make an exception for the postman, who gets a card with his christmas tip inside and DH and I each write a card to our work colleagues (one card for the whole team) and stick it on a box of chocs or biscuits or something to be shared. The expense, especially the postage, just seems unnecessary and to be honest I'd rather not receive any either as I can't stand to have them cluttering up all my living room surfaces but feel mean just reading them and chucking them out.

aquashiv · 17/12/2015 19:03

The kids have bloody loads of the things and they sat writing out theirs which is nice and a good way to demonstrate to relatives that if nothing else they can write.
I think I have sent about 20 and have received that amount. Def a thing of the past.

PennyPants · 17/12/2015 19:36

We sent less this year and as a result have less cluttering up the house.
DS sent none, DD sent two (teens) and have received the same back.

PlymouthMaid1 · 17/12/2015 20:21

Not sent any for at least three years I think (with the exception of one very old family friends who wouldn't understand). Waste of paper, time and money and stamps. I try to put a funny festive picture up on FB and wish everybody a good one. I am 53. I do think the tradition will die out but probably more because of the cost of stamps than anything else.

slightlyglitterpaned · 17/12/2015 20:30

I sent one. DP sent two. I think we might do one more each.

Was planning to get DS to make a couple from grandparents tonight but he's been throwing up all day Sad

I used to hate getting them in school & later in work. All that obligation to go scrawl names on cards, and I'd never remember in time.

BigGreenOlives · 17/12/2015 20:38

I'm sick of them. Each year I say no more, DH says 'Oh but I'll help' & I write loads & he drops them in the post box. 92 so far & I'm up to P. Letters in the cards to those we don't often see as everyone has been so rude about Xmas news letters. I think Santa is going to bring me a sparkly bracelet as a surprise to everyone this year.

Original poster
LarrytheCucumber · 17/12/2015 20:59

I got an absolutely lovely handmade card from an older friend (82) today, and I was surprised at how thrilled I am. We have received 28 so far, but one is from a charity we support and another is from DH's financial advisor, so not sure those two count.
Seems most people are like me and not great Christmas card fans.

OP posts:
celtictoast · 17/12/2015 21:27

I like Christmas cards and enjoy receiving them.

I don't agree that they are a "waste". You could say that about postcards, birthday cards, wrapping paper, wine, or anything else that is not strictly necessary in your home but brings you or someone else enjoyment. Do people get all bah humbug about all those things too?

Bodicea · 17/12/2015 21:40

I send a photo type card of kids/kids art to close relatives and very close friends. I buy a cheap pack to write cards to childminder etc and keep some back for panicks when I get an unexpected card particularly from the neighbours.

Libitina · 17/12/2015 21:44

I don't send them, I'm 45.

jay55 · 17/12/2015 21:53

I don't do any but mum does, it's the only way to find out which of my grandmas friends are still alive.