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AIBU?

AIBU to think that the annual Christmas Card tradition is dying out?

146 replies

EverySongbirdSays · 25/10/2016 21:22

I'm 35 and it feels like Christmas Cards are becoming a thing of the past

More and more now people will just status update on Christmas day

"Merry Christmas to all etc"

Buying, writing and posting 50+ Christmas Cards just seems like so mus effort and a waste of paper and money.

There was I think in the past a lot of nostalgia value around cards relatives or friends you mightnt have seen in years, and you were pondering to yourself 'I wonder how Louise is? Gosh those were the days in uni, I'll send a card at Christmas and she'll know I still think of her"

Only with Facebook culture I don't need to ponder how Louise is, I know she's teaching in Herts and has a baby.

I had a brief chat yesterday with an old friend I haven't seen in over a decade who lives in London as she had just been to see a film. There isn't that sense of urgency to send a card just to keep in touch.

Of course I'll hand out a couple of cards to my immediate/closest friends and family, and a few coworkers, but I'll probably d less than 10. Not loads as I might've done with people I don't really see if not for the invention of Facebook.

It does seem a shame that it's a dying tradition but I'm not too bothered as it does feel quite wasteful in some ways.

AIBU?

OP posts:

Report

BarbaraAtTheGardenParty · 27/10/2016 18:00

Further to my last comment, part of me wonders whether people are more inclined to send cards as they get older and/or are maybe a bit more "settled". The friends I have who do send cards now are ones who maybe didn't in their early twenties but they now have families or are in their own homes and are just getting a bit more domestic than we were as say students.

Hygellig · 27/10/2016 18:04

I send a few but am thinking of cutting back to just people who aren't on Facebook. It can be nice getting cards with a few lines of someone's news but I don't see the point of spending a fortune on stamps to just say "to X from Y".

The previous owners of our house moved out more than six years ago and we still get some cards and a round robin letter (all in verse!) addressed to them.

FarAwayHills · 27/10/2016 18:06

I've decided that sending cards is expensive and bad for the environment. Having read this thread I think I'll be doing cards to older relatives and friends and family abroad from now on.

BackforGood · 27/10/2016 18:07

I used to send loads, but, like many - combination of being in touch on Facebook, and the cost of stamps means I've really cut down over last 2 or 3 years, and will cut down again this year. I will only send to people not on FB I think - as you say, it used to be a way of keeping in touch, but that need has gone for most people.

PopFizz · 27/10/2016 18:33

I do 10-20 a year. All family and friends and all bar two hand delivered. I buy two packs of the cards the DC design at school and that's that.

CheerfulYank · 27/10/2016 19:04

We get and send lots but in America it's the done thing to get one made with a photo of your family or just of the kids.

Like this

harderandharder2breathe · 27/10/2016 19:14

Please consider using Scout post for your local cards! Much cheaper than Royal Mail as it's run and sorted by volunteers and delivered by children in Guiding and Scouting. The money raised benefits the local units who take part in delivery and is a big boost for them

DiegeticMuch · 27/10/2016 19:53

Scout post is great. Very reliable.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2016 20:05

One of the gifts my father gave me when I got married was 2 sets of sticky labels- the names and addresses of every wedding guest. 1 for their thank you card ( totally loved that, what a time saver!) and one for their Christmas card that December.
I don't send Christmas cards except for ones I can deliver on foot, and even then only to people I really know well or I know will appreciate them like my elderly neighbour.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 27/10/2016 20:14

No Scout post round here. We hand deliver all the local ones ourselves and just post the far away ones.

BarbaraofSeville · 27/10/2016 20:34

Yank At work we used to look forward to the card we received from one of our clients. It was a huge photo of the family that owned the company. It's so notable, it's on Google images:

AIBU to think that the annual Christmas Card tradition is dying out?

CheerfulYank · 27/10/2016 22:20

Wow Barbara! :o

Voiceoffstage · 27/10/2016 22:46

My first DH & father of my DS killed himself on Christmas Day. For the sake of my DS (who was born after his father died) I was determined to 'reclaim' Christmas Day and Christmas generally as a celebration rather than a memorial. I have resisted all attempts to 'simplify' Christmas. At work there is a movement to put a general Happy Christmas on a board with a donation to charity in lieu of cards. However, I have always made a donation to the charity and given out cards. Christmas is a time for giving without expectation of receiving something in return. However, people are kind enough to remember my reasons & give back which is kind and thoughtful of them .

EverySongbirdSays · 27/10/2016 23:01

On that topic

Who gets, what is apparently popular in America, and with celebs here a "posed festive family photo" as a Christmas card?

I believe Tony & Cherie have one, alongside the Royals etc

I find it so odd.

Merry Christmas have a photo of ME/US/OUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN on your mantel grinning at you all season.

OP posts:

EverySongbirdSays · 27/10/2016 23:03

Voice

I think I'd feel/ be the same

OP posts:

jewellerymum1 · 28/10/2016 08:50

I agree. Shop bought is expensive and wasteful. For the last 11years I've made about 60 cards by hand. I now do it with the kids. Mainly from last year's cards. I have to start in October because the kids have little patience! but it is a great build up to christmas. I love it and people appreciate the effort. My husbands work mates ask every year what I'll be doing and I've inspired some of them to do the same.

SuperSue22 · 28/10/2016 20:02

Has anyone found or used any good online alternatives to Christmas cards?

It would be good thing I think to donate the cost of all those cards and stamps but still be able to mark the occasion somehow.

MumboNumber5 · 28/10/2016 20:06

sue a cute/festive pic of the kids on FB and a link to the charity I'm donating to instead.

CheerfulYank · 28/10/2016 20:10

That makes sense Voice

EverySong it's just What Is Done. :o I love it personally!

Libitina · 28/10/2016 20:16

Hate Christmas cards - I don't even open most of mine tbh. Waste of time and money - plus I don't put up decorations so it seems a bit pointless to have some crappy card from a variety box!

Same here. My PIL get sent one and I used to send my Nan one when she was alive.

AnotherGreenDot · 28/10/2016 20:47

I am sending less now that stamps are so expensive. I do enjoy choosing them, writing them and receiving them though! We hang them up with our Xmas decorations.
The shops are still overflowing with cards though so somebody must be buying them!

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