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?

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

We still send and receive quite a lot - I like getting them and they form part of our decorations.
I can understand anyone short of money stopping sending because of the cost of postage, but the two couples I know who've stopped sending ('we're giving the money to charity instead') both have plenty of money (I do know this for certain) and could easily afford to do both.

I'm pretty sure the truth is that they just CBA, which is fair enough - my Dh really loathes writing the few he HAS to do - but it'd be nice if they'd be honest enough to to admit it, instead of implying some sort of eco-ish, nobly moral high ground.

[cardibach]

It is possible to hate writing cards and at the same time be able to see the eco nightmare and waste of money they represent. It isn’t either/or.

[ForalltheSaints]

Yes, but perhaps noticeable that every person I send one to I have known for at least 15 years.

[Situp]

We do but we live abroad from both our families so it is a bit different. Plus we don't do gifts anymore within the families. My kids enjoy drawing pictures in them or writing their names too. I send more than I receive but never keep track of who doesn't send them back and wouldn't feel annoyed with people who don't send them. The kids also love getting post they can open. DH writes 3 cards per year and I do the rest but it doesn't bother me at all. I also have a few friends with whom i have started sending snail mail and love sitting down with a cup of tea and getting their news. It is quite therapeutic to write letters too. Getting your thoughts down without the instant response of other forms of communication often makes me feel less stressed when I am telling a friend about a problem or difficulty I am having.

I think if it gives you pleasure to do it you should and if it doesn't then don't bother.

[wizzler]

I do. I buy charity cards, and send them to everyone. I give them to people at work , but also to people I was at Primary school with ( I am in my fifties) and all my aunts and uncles. We string cards up around the living room, and in the new year I use them to make labels for next years presents. Thinking about it, I have clearly turned into my mother!

[SilverySurfer]

hackmum
I'm writing mine right now (all bought from a charity, since you ask).

I'm always amused at this "we send money to charity" lark. There are a whole load of things you could give up at Christmas and send the money to charity instead - the turkey, the mince pies, the cake, the chocolates, the alcohol, the tree, the extravagant presents under the tree. Yet mysteriously the thing people always decide to give up is the mildly tedious chore that brings pleasure to the recipient rather than the sender.

How true.

[oblada]

We send a few. It is a chore but it is happily received so when we know it will be very much welcome we make the effort.

Absolutely hate the 'I'm not doing cards I'm giving to charity' thing. It's just ridiculous!! 'Giving up' a slightly tedious activity that would bring a smile to someone's face is not a 'sacrifice' worthy of any mention. Give up a week's takeaway and give some money to charity and don't brag on Facebook!! Or buy less toys for your kids, or recycle more etc etc it just seems like a crap excuse for not doing something that people don't fancy doing in the first place... But then again I don't think giving up alcohol for a month 'for charity' or growing a bear 'for charity' is any better.
Run a marathon yes but giving up a bad habit for a temporary period or failing to shave doesn't justify any donation from me!

[MadMags]

I'm always amused at this "we send money to charity" lark. There are a whole load of things you could give up at Christmas and send the money to charity instead - the turkey, the mince pies, the cake, the chocolates, the alcohol, the tree, the extravagant presents under the tree. Yet mysteriously the thing people always decide to give up is the mildly tedious chore that brings pleasure to the recipient rather than the sender.

Nah, sorry but that’s rubbish. The food on the list serves a purpose of some sort. Cards do nothing that a phone call couldn’t do.

Plus, I actually hate receiving them. I hate the waste, the clutter, and the pointlessness.

And I’ve told people this yet still every year I get one. I don’t think that’s about me the recipient when I’ve specifically said I don’t like receiving them.

[Situp]

I find it interesting that people who don't do it so often seem to feel that they have to justify it with environmental or charity reasons. I don't do cards to give to charity, there are clearly far more effective ways to give to charity. In terms of the environmental concerns I understand those but in the scheme of environmental damage done by Christmas, the creation and distribution of recyclable cards does not seem up there with the amount of wrapping paper, packaging and food waste created every year.

I think people should feel able to just say they don't want to or don't have time or even can't be arsed. Those are just as good reasons not to do it.

[MadMags]

Oblada I think you’ve misunderstood. People give the money they would have spent on cards and postage to a charity.

[BertieBotts]

No. Too much effort and money. Sorry!

We hardly receive any either and I don't mind.

I should send one to my aunt this year though as she's been ill. And my grandad I expect would like one although we do normally phone him on Xmas day.

[BertieBotts]

TBH I am not organised enough to do cards.

[paganmolloy]

Madmags - totally agree. I don't want to spend over £60 on bits of card and postage when that £60 can go direct to a local charity instead. I send 6 cards only, to folks not on social media. They are mainly elderly.

It wasn't that long ago when sending cards wasn't a thing. My parents certainly didn't do it in their youth (which would have been back in the 30s & 40s).

[oblada]

Madmags - yes I know but they can give up something else and give that money to charity instead. Sorry a bit knackered after some hospital stint with youngest so not making much sense :)

[MadMags]

But why give up something else, why is this not a perfectly fine thing to give up?

Hope all is ok with little one!

[oblada]

There is no need to spend a lot of money, cards aren't that pricey and you can buy them from charities hence making the money go that extra mile...

People can and should definitely say they don't want to do Christmas cards instead of this charity excuse.
I always tell people I don't do birthday cards and I wish them direct instead. For Christmas I do think it's a nice gesture and will therefore do a select few for some friends, neighbours, teachers but I will also text/email/e-card/WhatsApp etc.
I'm on the fence on getting cards for my daughter to give out to school/nursery - overall it seems too much of a faff..

[oblada]

Madmags - thanks! Fingers crossed on that...

For the cards - just because it seems more of an excuse and usually comes from people I know can't be arsed to do Christmas cards in the first place - why not be upfront with it? By all means give to charity but why link it and why plaster it on Facebook?

[kissmelittleass]

Yes I send probably about 10 out and buy special ones for close family. I love choosing cards writing them and sending them it just reminds me of lovely happy xmases when I was young. I always write mums cards still do if I see her in time! I have noticed this year we haven't received as many as usual, my dd wrote one for everyone in the class! Her choice! She's very disappointed she's only received a few back! It's dying out for sure like letter writing such a shame.

[stargirl1701]

@NerrSnerr

Nope. No wrapping paper either. Tea towels, duvets, pillowcases, etc. There is a good tutorial on YouTube for pretty folds and ties with material.

Have you heard of Bea Johnson and #zerowaste?

https://zerowastehome.com/about/bea/

[IsaSchmisa]

The number of posters agreeing with that comment about people not giving up things that bring themselves pleasure instead of the receiver suggests a general failure to understand how many people really don't welcome cards.

[user1497997754]

I send 6 receive 1 every year...

[madamginger]

I haven’t sent them in about 7-8 years. I used to send one to my grandmother when she was alive but that’s it.
I work with some older ladies in their 60-70s and they always comment when I say I don’t send them, like I’m some sort of Christmas killer!
I don’t put any I receive up either, I can’t bare them cluttering up the place.
We do give to charity at Christmas but not because I don’t send cards, we donate to www.lendwithcare.org/

[VeryFoolishFay]

Send Christmas cards and support charities at the same time! 70-75% of the purchase price goes directly back to the relevant charity. You can buy online or visit a local volunteer-staffed pop up shop.

It's not just about the money raised; it's really useful to help smaller charities spread the word about their work.

//www.cardsforcharity.org.uk

[Kikisxmas]

I'm not doing any cards this year, not for any worthy reasons just find it a waste of time.

I hate receiving them as well tbh. They make the place look cluttered and untidy. The few we've received so far have gone straight into the drawer.