To expect Christmas cards?

[mintich]

For the last couple of years, I have received around half the cards I send out to friends. I normally get a text saying "thanks for the card but we aren't sending cards this year" I think it's sad that they aren't sending cards anymore. I get if people can't afford it but I'm pretty sure they can. It seems petty to only send a card if I'll get one back but that's how I feel!

I like them. I enjoy receiving them and reading people's well wishes and I send them to try to convey the same. It's a nice, traditional way to show someone I'm thinking of them (don't have time to phone 40-50 people over Xmas!). Sure beats a Facebook message anyway - you get those any time.

All that said, I can understand why people wouldn't like them and don't judge of people don't send cards.

I send about 70 cards on behalf of our family. I write a proper message in most, and I enjoy it. But I do cut down the number year on year as we don't get so many back and many people just aren't as bothered these days.

I always to hate people handing me a card physically because they could say happy Christmas to my face

I am slightly more inclined to do cards now as I don’t love in the same country I grew up so it’s a way to connect and tell me they are important to me and I’m thinking about them this Christmas period. If I can’t say merry Christmas to your face then I send a card.

Texts are definitely not a replacement for cards as majority of “happy Christmas” texts are just that generic and thoughtless, a card is definitely more effort and shows actual thought

Those who are anti card make the mistake of assuming the whole world is on FB, or has their mobile surgically attached and permanently charged. No point trying to send me anything via FB, I'm not and never will be signed up to it, and I haven't a clue where my mobile is, and if it is charged or not. I'll take the card thanks.

We didn't replace the cards with well wishes on social media or phone calls.

You don't need a substitute.

I really like sending and receiving Christmas cards, and don't see it as "wasteful" to send written good wishes to friends and family. I love to get a card in someone's own handwriting with a picture they've chosen, and good wishes inside. They're sent just once a year and can be recycled afterwards.

I know several people who are rather sanctimonious about not sending Christmas cards because they're "wasteful" etc. However they still buy things like wine, nights out, entertainment, takeaway coffee, magazines, holidays, jewellery, birthday cards, gift wrap, eating out etc. without seeing the irony. Most of those things are for their own enjoyment, not someone else's, and aren't confined only to one time of year.

I think not even opening Christmas cards is one of the rudest things I've ever heard.
Actually, I don't think I believe you. No one would do that.

Yes I do do that MaryPoppins

I don’t open any that refer to me as mrs DHname.

I think not even opening Christmas cards is one of the rudest things I've ever heard.

Yes, this thought crossed my mind, too. It's one thing to not want to send them; quite another to actively rubbish a greeting that someone has cared enough to take the time and thought to send. Tbh if I found out a friend or family member did this with a card I'd sent them, I probably wouldn't want to be their friend at all. It shouldn't bother them as they have such a total disregard for my contact.

I send fewer and fewer every year... maybe 20 or so now, only to close relatives and people not on social media. 20/25 years ago within my social circle/culture it was a major stress and faff, there was a huge amount of social obligation to send cards to absolutely everyone hundreds of the bloody things if you include the ones the dc took to school... my DM and MIL would “remind” to send cards to distant cousins and old family friends because it would “look bad” if I didn’t

There was a lot of competitive card writing too, bragging about how early (1st Nov? I’d better start writing my 200 Christmas cards!), and how many received (string washing-lines all over the house with cards hung on them).

I suppose you could say it was a primitive form of FB “like”, feeling smug and displaying your popularity and social capital for all to see “Likes” are a lot cheaper and easier to collect tho!

In my eyes, Christmas cards are just a waste of money and paper. They're expensive to buy and post, and they end up in the bin by the middle of January! I especially don't get people buying cards for people they share a house with.

The only people I ever sent cards to were my grandparents in Australia, but since they've all passed, I don't buy them. I tell people in person, or ring/text, but I'm not going to waste money on things that'll just end up gathering dust on a mantlepiece and then end up in the bin!

I find all the cards annoying.

There was a lot of competitive card writing too, bragging about how early

Agree with this, though! And do you remember round robins? Those awful printed letters listing all of darling Tarquin and Fenella's achievements that year and 'subtly' bragging about the huge house they'd just bought due to DH's huge promotion. Cringe!

Cards are on their way out. Lots of people are abandoning them.

Agree MaryPoppins. Incredibly rude to not even open a card someone has sent you. How sad.

DH and I actually find Christmas card writing quite stressful, who have we forgotten that might be upset etc. We’re so busy it really is just another chore.

I think it's quite sad really.
It takes a small amount of time to send cards. I know of a few people who are quite lonely for whom the cards they get are really valued. Yes, a they would also value a phone call, but I haven't had one person's n who has texted/put on FB that they're not doing cards this year who has made a phone call instead.
My parents have friends going back 50 years who most of the time contact is a Christmas card and not much more. But they're all there for each other if they need it. They're there for the bad times as well as the good.

Agree with Witch -0 my parents are in their 80s and receive (and send) loads of cards, I love looking through them too, freindships that have spanned so many years. Its a wonderful way of keeping in touch with people, and no, not everyone uses social media.
DH and I also enjoy sending and receiving cards, I would far rather spend money on cards and stamps than yet another present for a child - and you can equally buy cards and donate money (and more importantly time) to good causes and charities over Christmas.

But each to their own, I have one friend who 'announced' she wasn't sending cards so I assume she doesn't want to receive one, so I send her a personal email message at Christmas.

I send cards and expect them in return as we have a family game we play every Christmas Day evening which involves all the cards we have received. Will be devastated if it dies because people decide to text us instead. Decades of tradition gone 😥

My sister and her friend have been sending one another the same card back and forth for around 20 years. I think it's a good idea.

I like getting Christmas cards, but only if they're nice ones, as they make the house look festive. For that reason I only send nice ones, or if I can't afford nice ones that year I don't bother.

@CbeebiesAddict what's the game?

Yes, what is it?

I don't send cards, just because its not something I prioritise. There are other things I have to do with my time, like all the stuff for work and the kids. Then there's all the things I want to do like Christmas parties and family get togethers. Writing cards doesn't fall into either of those categories, and doesn't add anything to my life (I'm perfectly happy not to get any cards either), so I don't bother.

Do them if you want, don't if you don't. Other people can do the same.

It’s very amusing hearing some of you froth and fulminate over the non opening of cards. Some of you are like a different species. Some people think differently shocker 🤔