To ask if you send Christmas cards?

[Happyhappyveggie]

Sorry if this has been done already on here. I normally send cards but no-one I know is this year and wondering if it’s just becoming less popular as to be fair, I am in touch with a lot of people regularly via WhatsApp groups etc so can just directly message them (but it’s a bit soul- less too)
I like sending them but am thinking maybe my money would be better served going to charity instead?
Aibu to not send any? Who still sends them here?

[grandolddukeofyork]

I think it's really sad that people don't anymore

[Loonoonow]

I've got it down to 10 people, mostly over 70 and none on social media. I don't give a card to anyone who I will see to wish them a happy Christmas personally which rules out colleagues, most of my friends and family and all my fellow church goers. I found it had become a massive and expensive faff and often emotionally meaningless - just a swap of two bits of coloured paper.

The very few I send now mean something to me (and I hope, them) and I have time to include a personal message instead of just Love Loo, DH and DC.

I don't do the charity donation thing either. I donate cash, goods and time throughout the year so don't feel the need to do something extra just to relieve any guilt about not sending cards.

[Didntcomeheretofuckspiders]

I did this year as included information about our house move and an upcoming event inside rather than messaging 100 people. I do think it’s a nice tradition and i’m trying I be a real grown up... although part of me has an issue with the waste.

[Stuckist]

I send them but then I'm not on social media or WhatsApp etc. I send them to old and faraway friends and to older relatives as well as to my parents, partner and sister.
I think it's nice and I like how the brighten the place up at Christmas.

[bretonknickers]

No, for 2-3 years I spent several evenings meticulously writing them all out and then forgot to distribute them all.
Have since given up bothering.
A couple of years ago a friend sent personalised emails instead of Christmas cards, she must have spent ages writing out such nice messages. Have still got that email saved, as it was so nicely thought out.
Another person I know gives £X to charity instead of-ending the money on Christmas cards and stamps.

[CarpeVitam]

I stopped sending Christmas cards a couple of years ago (other than to my elderly Mum). It was a yearly chore I hated with a passion! 🙄. It is also such a waste of money, both the cards and the cost of stamps these days.

The sale of cards has apparently taken a massive downturn so there are plenty of people who feel the same way .

[Only1scoop]

Always

[juliesaway]

I sent a handful to family this year. I planned to send a few more but unfortunately I had an accident a couple of weeks ago which prevented me from getting around and to the shops to get more cards and have been in hospital too. However I am rather sad that on my return I've not received any Christmas cards at all this year yet and don't suppose I will now . Far cry from yesteryear.

[Camomila]

Usually only to relatives abroad but we're seeing them IRL this year.

I've sent one this year to a friends dad (along with a panettone because he really likes the panettone I usually buy my friend and I'm not seeing her over Christmas)

[MadMags]

but I was referring to the other 99.9999999999%of people who give Christmas presents and do have packaging and wrapping paper.

That’s a bit silly. So, unless you’re 100% environmentally friendly is all things always, you shouldn’t bother at all??

[thelastredwinegum]

@stargirl1701 I get them from a website called philatelink but you can get them from ebay too.

[stargirl1701]

It might start with cards and move to wrapping paper...

[Eolian]

@Eolian Nope. No wrapping paper here and no plastic either.

I applaud your environmental friendliness, stargirl, but I was referring to the other 99.9999999999%of people who give Christmas presents and do have packaging and wrapping paper.

[Annabelle4]

This is the first year I haven't posted any cards. I've given some in person.

Feeling a little guilty about older relatives who sent us some and who I'm sure appreciate the tradition, but not enough to send any.

[FullOfXmasCheerOfCourse]

No. I haven't sent an Xmas card in years because I was annoyed at sending them and not getting any back.

[Capelin]

I send around 40-50.

[stargirl1701]

@thelastredwinegum

Cheap stamps? I'm intrigued. How? Where? Please share.

[stargirl1701]

@Eolian

Nope. No wrapping paper here and no plastic either.

#zerowaste

Recycling is better than landfill but it is not good. It uses energy too.

Refuse, reuse, reduce, recycle, rot. Refuse the cards which either come in a landfill plastic sleeve or a recyclable cardboard box. The glitter on cards can end up as microplastic ocean contaminant.

[lasttimeround]

I seem to be quite different. I do cards sometimes a small present to anyone whose done important stuff for us in the year. Therapist, social worker, carers. I write in something quite detailed thanking them. A few very cards for local close friends.

[paganmolloy]

I agree it's nice to get something tangible through the post but I think that is lost on me when it's a card with a robin on it along with dozens of others. It doesn't make it more special for me personally. My birthday is at a crap time of year (right at the beginning of January), I'd much prefer to get a birthday card than a Xmas one because it's personal and not just because Xmas is being shoved down our throats from November. I have on occasion received an actual hand written letter and it was a joy. I sometimes send them too. But these are very individual things which is what makes them special. A whole pile of cards lumped together doesn't excite me. I do recycle the ones I get by making Xmas tags. Best part of the job

[thelastredwinegum]

Send quite a few - buy them in January when they're reduced and buy cheap stamps.
Donate old received ones to a local place that use them for children's craft sessions.
I just think there's something nice about getting something tangible through the post.

[Eolian]

We send about 20 and receive a similar number. I like them. I suspect many people only pick on (recyclable) Christmas cards as being particularly wasteful because it gives them an excuse not to be arsed to write them (while happily continuing to create tons of waste with wrapping paper and plastic tat).
A quick 'Merry Christmas' on social media is not the same. People are on FB every day, babbling away. A hand-written card shows a bit more thought and effort. Sending Christmas cards doesn't stop you donating to charity or giving your time to help others.

[bertsdinner]

I give one to people who give me one, eg next door put one through the letterbox so I'll reciprocate. I usually buy one for close family too. I buy charity cards, partly because they are pretty cheap (£1.00 upwards). I dont send email/texts, except to my brother in Germany, and that's usually because I'm lazy and miss the last posting day.
Most people I know dont bother.

[friendlycat]

Yes I send them and string the ones I get on gold organza and they make a pretty decoration. I like both the sending of Cancer Research Xmas Cards and the receiving of cards to me. Text and email adds another layer but couldn't replace cards for me. But different strokes for different folks.

[Andrewofgg]

I stopped a few years ago when Royal Mail and the UCW were in dispute and it seemed that they would take it out on the stamp-buying public by holding ou cards to ransom. I decided that I did not care who was right or wrong, this wasn't my quarrel, and that was the end of cards for me. I give a donation to the charity I used to buy them from.

In fact DW and I send and get about a tenth of the post we got twenty years ago. Why write when you can email?