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 used to love giving and receiving cards. That's before I became an adult and realised what an actually ball ache they are to write. Then there's the price of the bastard stamps! So I send to elderly relatives and people who don't use social media much.

Every Christmas my mum says, don't worry about getting me a present, as long as I get a nice card. WTF? Bless. She keeps all her cards. I must admit I do keep cards from husband, parents and kids and cherish ones Ive received from grandparents who are no longer with us.

And finally as a teacher, I can't stand it when all the kids start bringing in their little cards for their little mates. Crappy Santa pictures and envelopes strewn everywhere grrrrr.

Sad to read how many people put cards straight in the recycling, without opening. That's disrespectful to the sender, who has spent their time, money and effort writing to you.

Do you mind when they simply delete all texts or e-cards you send them?

OP:
It’s not at all petty to send cards only to those who send them to you! I do that and why not? I might make an exception for an elderly person but not for others.

Do you mind when they simply delete all texts or e-cards you send them?

I don’t send ecards and it would never occur to me to even wonder if they deleted texts. How people deal with their incoming data is up to them.

I’m struggling with the people who say they keep their cRds. Where the actual fuck do you put them all? My house is a shit tip and I don’t! Where do you find the storage space?

Also, spare a thought for whoever has to clear your house after your death. All that paper to carry out. It weighs heavy b

@nerrsnerr

I’m sure all the people on this thread who don’t send cards for environmental reasons don’t drive, go on holiday on airplanes, use disposable nappies etc etc.

You can bet they do. And probably a lot more.

People like this who bang on about shit, and have a go at people, usually do stuff much worse.

Sad to read how many people put cards straight in the recycling, without opening. That's disrespectful to the sender, who has spent their time, money and effort writing to you.

Yep, it's the height of rudeness. If I discovered someone had done this with one of my cards, I would find it hard to speak to them again.

Blimey, some people are very insulting about people who send Christmas cards. Bloody rude, actually. You don’t like sending / receiving cards? That’s fine, each to their own, but don’t sssume that because not everyone is like you, they are somehow socially inept, lazy or inadequate.

I send cards because I like to do so, and I usually write a short letter to the recipient (probably more evidence of my social ineptness, no doubt). I enjoy writing them. The recipients tell me they love receiving them. Yes, I actually speak to some of the recipients as well,as sending them a card.

But to answer the OP’s question, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a card from everyone you send one to. That sort of postal tit for tat seems a bit pointless and petty.

Obviously there is the aspect of charity cards but it’s more than just a donation. The actual cards are often made by the people benefiting from the charity, designing and making the cards is a big deal at DS’s autism unit. I also send charity cards, not just for the donation which can be made regardless, but to remind people and raise awareness.

We send cards to immediate family members. This year I’ve bought a pack of cards from a charity and the children are going to glitter pen them to make them special. Not paying for labeled cards (gran, sister etc). They cost a fortune and go in the bin

It's a total waste of paper and money

I loathe cards.... and when my living room doors opens.. they waft all over the place.. so I don't even put the ones I receive up.... Baaaah humbug

Good post @Giraffey1

I am baffled at the level of negativity on this thread, aimed at people who send cards. Some pretty nasty comments actually, ranging from people are 'ruining the environment' (like THEY never commit an 'against the environment' crime.) To accusing people who send a card to someone, of not actually giving a shit about that person. (Apparently, if you send a card to someone, you never actually speak to them, or visit them, or see them in real life, because you don't care about them, and actually probably hate them.)

What a load of shit some people do talk.

And it is NOT a waste of paper and money. Not if it makes the sender and recipient both happy. You could say ANYthing is a waste of money if you want! Coz most things cost money, energy, materials, time, blah blah blah.

For fuck's sake, just leave people alone to do what they want, without mocking and bashing and berating! Just coz YOU don't like sending and receiving cards, so much so that you bin the bloody things before even opening them (though I don't believe this myself!) that doesn't mean OTHERS should not be allowed to send and receive cards if it makes them happy.

I get one for my parents and daughter but just donate £50 to a local charity. I feel cards are possibly a dying tradition?

I get one for my parents and daughter

but I just donate £50 to a local charity.

I feel cards are possibly a dying tradition?

Why?

We had a lovely thread on here a few years ago where posters exchanged Christmas cards. It was nice.

I don't judge anyone who send them though. I have one friend who puts loads of effort into making sure they're really creative and personal each year, I look forward to it each year seeing what she's done likewise I would hope my friends aren't offended by my lack of sending. I'm too disorganised tbh but so like to donate to charity. I also do that buy a present thing for under privileged children

Oh I'm not saying they SHOULD be a dying tradition, I just remember my parents house being adorned with cards when I was a kid, not nearly as many in recent years.

I haven't read through this thread yet but I love buying Xmas cards, writing them, posting. Load of them and receiving them! But not upset if I do t receive a load back and I have noticed one or two dropping every year!! To me Xmas cards mean my childhood I love writing them, looking at the warm inviting pics of Xmas, posting them it all makes me happy and brings back all the happy a bit sad memories of Xmas with all my loved ones now some of whom are not with us. It's a lovely tradition that will continue I hope and not die out.

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

Not at all. We're just saying that the people we might want to say merry xmas to are also people we stay in touch with the rest of the year, by various ways. If there is anyone in your life that you only communicate with via xmas card, what is the point?

Christmas cards are a waste of money, effort, and most importantly, paper!

I get a card for anyone who I get a gift for. I don't bother with anyone else and don't expect to receive any either.

I love sending and receiving cards. It means that for that time someone is actively thinking of you and vice versa. Often a card is from distant friends or extended family you haven’t spoken to and it is part of a net of acquaintance and shared history.

I don't send Christmas cards, instead I donate the money I would have spent (£20/25) to charity. I started doing it after I lost my twin girls in 2005, at first I donated to BLISS the baby charity, now I let the kids choose a different one every year. This year we're buying for a food bank.
But, I hate cards. I think they're a pain in the ass.

If there is anyone in your life that you only communicate with via xmas card, what is the point?

You could say 'what is the point' about anything .

I exchanged cards and news with a friend from university (we were there in the late 1970s) for years - a couple of years ago I had moved to a new area she was visiting, we met up and renewed the friendship - it is lovely. I have many, many friends I keep in touch with my Christmas card - perhaps I will never see some of them again, perhaps I will - but to me that is the 'point'. Just as it is to my parents, now in their 80s who occasionally still meet up with friends they have only kept in touch with by card for years but circumstances have changed, they, or their friends, may have moved and now they can meet up.

I buy cards through the school - my daughter is involved in the design and some of the money raised goes to charity and the rest to the school.

She loves being involved in sending them. And the kids love opening cards that come through the post.

We have a long line of beads - a Christmas decoration- that I hang along a wall and that's where they go. I have lovely memories as a child of looking at the Christmas cards. I only send to family and a few good friends - receive very few back but don't mind.