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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you send Christmas cards?

131 replies

Happyhappyveggie · 10/12/2017 13:54

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?

OP posts:
ChristmasFOG · 10/12/2017 16:40

Haven't sent any yet.

I cut back years ago but still send out a few (maybe 10). I wait until they come in before sending in case they also would rather like to stop too...with the exception of very elderly relatives.

LoniceraJaponica · 10/12/2017 16:52

"I don't I buy for the local food bank instead"

I do both. We had a shoe box appeal at work for Shelter to which I have contributed. I also buy for the local food bank when I pop into Tesco. I also donate cat food to the local cat rescue place.

As I stated earlier I don't send many cards, but the ones I do send give the recipient a lot of pleasure. It means that I am thinking of them and wish them well. Plus, the charities I buy my cards from also benefit.

Whatslovegottodo · 10/12/2017 16:55

No. Only for elderly grandparent when I go and visit at the care home.
We also make a charity donation instead of postage and card costs.
I do think cards are pretty but it seems so environmentally unfriendly and unnecessary in this connected day and age.

Maelstrop · 10/12/2017 16:56

Only to very close family and friends, some are purely for putting in money for the young family members.

Willowthewhisp · 10/12/2017 17:00

We send about 20, dd (3) decorates plain cards with sequins etc until she is happy. Keeps her busy and it's a positive use for her works of art, she loves drawing and making pictures anyway and there's only so much space on our walls for them!
I don't do elf on the shelf, Christmas eve boxes, Christmas Pjs or bedding, I see these as all a much bigger cost/problem to the environment than a few cards but don't judge those that do, it's the season of goodwill after all!

burntoutmum · 10/12/2017 17:04

We didn’t used to but have started recently, buying ones from the charities that supported us during DS2’s chemo

LoniceraJaponica · 10/12/2017 17:04

"but it seems so environmentally unfriendly and unnecessary in this connected day and age"

Massive assumption there Hmm
I have a number of elderly and not so elderly relatives who aren't on social media or don't use emails regularly. There are still a few of them around.

CointreauVersial · 10/12/2017 17:07

We send around 50 (in fact, have just finished writing this year's). We both have quite large families spread around the place, and friends we don't see often. I sometimes put letters in, or photos of the kids.

I love getting them too. And I recycle them into gift tags for the following year (old skool and proud of it!).

MoreProseccoNow · 10/12/2017 17:11

I've drastically cut down, only doing them for a few elderly relatives & friends who are not on FB.

I'll be making a donation to the local children's Hospice instead of spending money on cards (which go straight in to the recycling bin) or stamps (exorbitant costs these days).

Financially, things are a bit tight so I couldn't do both.

squashyhat · 10/12/2017 17:12

Yes. I enjoy both sending and receiving them. Always buy charity ones and recycle as gift cards for next year.

Louiselouie0890 · 10/12/2017 17:18

No I think they're pointless

cardibach · 10/12/2017 17:20

I have a number of elderly and not so elderly relatives who aren't on social media or don't use emails regularly Do they have a phone, Lonerica ?
I’m one of those who doesn’t really like getting cards anymore than I like a text or call or Facebook post. I don’t put them up, and recycling is hot or miss where I live so that doesn’t always happen. I don’t send them. Those ones pushed through your door by neighbours are the worst, by the way. Just bloody say ‘Happy Christmas’ when you see me!

cardibach · 10/12/2017 17:21

Lonicera apologies for typo of your name above.

purplecorkheart · 10/12/2017 17:22

I send a few. Some to family abroad who I will not see over Christmas, a couple to old teachers of mine who always write to me. One to an ex of mine from my early 20's who I see the odd time. I also send one to my best friend's little girl as she loves getting her own post.

Stamp prices have gone up a lot here this year (almost 25%) so will not be sending half as many.

marywasneeavirgin · 10/12/2017 17:24

No and we always donate to a charity instead, this year bought two presents which are donated to a local women's refuge.

Whatslovegottodo · 10/12/2017 17:42

lonicera yes and as I stated in my post with the exception of elderly relative.
So no massive assumption at all!
Gosh I don't know how people get through the day finding offence so frequently Xmas Grin

LoniceraJaponica · 10/12/2017 20:05

"Do they have a phone, Lonerica ?"

Yes they do, and I ring them regularly, but they still appreciate a Christmas card (and recycle them after Christmas). It's called knowing your target market.

confused123456 · 10/12/2017 20:07

We do. I love to receive cards. And to send.
We cut down the list to save money, but we do still send some.

TheWorldIsMyCakePop · 10/12/2017 20:09

A handful and only a few of those needs posting.

TheNaze73 · 10/12/2017 20:11

Haven’t done for about 15 years

NerrSnerr · 10/12/2017 20:28

We send Christmas cards and like receiving them. We’ve moved around a lot so it’s lovely to get a card and note from those we know from around the county. Last year I was pretty much housebound with HG and I could have cried with happiness whenever a card came. Our cards have been home made this year (hours of fun with the toddler).

Just curiously, do the people who say how dreadful it is for the environment use wrapping paper? Surely that’s just as bad.

We give to the food bank as well- it’s not either/ or.

NerrSnerr · 10/12/2017 20:31

The other thing we do is keep last year’s cards to make gift cards or do Christmas crafts with.

Tortycat · 10/12/2017 20:37

Yes i love sending and getting cards. Probably only about 30 but those are all people i like and care about. I dont bother with colleagues as you have to send them to everyone in case someone feels left out. Toddler loves opening them and will do 'glueing and sticking' with them after xmas

Frustrationqueen · 10/12/2017 20:44

Not anymore. Theyre a waste of time, space and money.
They all just get thrown away in the end.
The ones i received last year all just got stacked into a pile. So far i have been given one. It is on my fireplace. As soon as they start mounting up though they will go into a pile

iamyourequal · 10/12/2017 21:06

Love sending and receiving cards. It's lovely to hear from people we don't see enough of and they brighten up the house. I put them on the walls. I like to hope that I choose nice cards which people will appreciate receiving too.