No Christmas cards to people with an internet connection?

[FrostyMoanyWind]

Just receiving the first round of Christmas cards. Mine will be going out Friday. Haven't printed them yet and having an internal debate between what is generally accepted as the "polite thing to do" and what is environmentally responsible. Or is it just that considered a cop out?

Sending cards to elderly relatives who don't have computers and who would be upset not to hear from us. Ok.

But to people who we usually receive cards from and have always sent cards to but are in computer contact throughout the rest of the year?

The friends of my parents who send my DC birthday presents. Rude not to send a card?

My godparents who have email/facebook but to whom we have always sent cards and who send us cards?

I stopped sending cards years ago.

If I see them throughout the year it’s easy enough to say “Merry Christmas” to them. If I don’t see them for the rest of the year then I am sure they aren’t too bothered about not hearing from me at Christmas!

I only send them to elderly relatives, everyone else I wish Merry Christmas on fb.

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards.

But this year I'm not sending any. It's just so wasteful, and feels really irresponsible.

I love Christmas cards, getting them and choosing them for others (not so much actually writing them!), I’ll be sending them as always.

Internet or text ‘Happy Christmas’ doesn’t exactly look pretty on the mantle piece does it?

If people don’t want to send them due to the cost or ‘for environmental reasons‘, that’s fine, their choice. I do feel a bit at people who claim it’s ‘So bad for the environment’ then buy a ton of plastic & novelty ‘gifts’ or buy several different outfits for Christmas parties when one would do (different work, friends groups) and do things like drive the kids to school less than a mile away...it’s an excuse not to bother while sounding so ‘good’.

I'm just sending a few to elderly relatives and friends who would be upset not to receive them. Probably about 10 in all max 15.

No Christmas party here, just mulled wine at a friend's house so standard jeans. Never driven the kids to school. Two toy sets each for DC (one from Father C, one from us) plus books and something to wear - DC2 will get a blanket because always cold on the sofa.

I've started a job which means I've been reading lots of studies on the environment and our impact. I know not sending 30 odd cards won't make much of a difference to paper usage/waste/fuel costs but, then again if everybody carries on because it won't make a difference then nothing will ever change?

Oh, and no mantelpiece either! Cards go on the sideboard and when I'm not looking DH moves them to the recycling if DD hasn't chopped them up already.

It isn't rude, the trend is moving away from sending cards now. So by all means send to those you know would want them, but otherwise, minimise. At least some of them will thank you for it.

I love receiving Christmas cards and am really sad when people say they aren't sending them. I do have a friend who made an internet one you could print off if you wanted to - I did. I'm a crabby old cow - I don't buy the environmental argument unless it's from someone I know really lives the lifestyle. The whole 'I'm giving the money to charity instead' I find a bit virtue-signalling too.

But at 60 I probably count as an Elderly Relative.

I agree ILOveautumnleaves

But I'm not one of those people. Try to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle in all aspects of my life all year round.

Used to compromise on the Xmas cards by buying only recycled/FSC certified from environmental charities, but have decided even they have to go this year.

Few elderly relatives. Others get nothing. DC take a couple to school but they are senior level now and apparently "it would be cringe"

According to the Greeting Card Association, 100 million single and 900 million boxed cards were bought in 2017, that's 1 billion in total, or 15 for every person in the UK. Clearly a lot people still send them out.

As long as you don’t buy cards with glitter on, they’re recyclable, surely?
And I buy charity cards, so benefiting others too.
Do you extend this to birthdays, OP? Just wish them happy returns on FB?

Don't send elderly relatives birthday cards, never have.

I send two friends birthday cards and presents - the same two I send Christmas presents and cards. Never see then as abroad. The others who are on FB I used to send Christmas cards but really not sure of the point, they only get birthday greetings via FB. Gave them birthday cards when we were at uni, but not since.

God parents etc send me a birthday card, but I've never sent them one, no idea when their birthdays are!

I hardly ever receive a card, I’m 34. I have a very small family, I’m single with no kids and not on any social media...it would mean a lot to receive some cards and I find it sad that the tradition is dying out. I still send cards out and I have always recycled any that I do receive.

I’d say if you are sent a card it is a little rude not to reciprocate. In your email you should make it clear that it’s due to your concern for the environment that you aren’t sending cards this year.

I don't send any. Haven't really got any elderly relatives who we won't be seeing in person.

The whole buying cards, sending cards, binning cards, recycling cards is such a waste of time, effort and resources.

Oh and my youngest's school has a new policy this year which I am SO on board with - they are not allowing kids to distribute dozens of those cheap little paper cards. If they want to send a card to the class then they can, and it's displayed in the classroom. 30 cards maximum, rather than each child sending 29 cards to everyone in the class, plus the teacher.

I love Christmas cards. The physical ones. It's not the same when it's just a pic in an email. Can't put that nicely on mantelpiece and they don't feel as personal to me.
I am paper based in many things.

I’ve never sent them and don’t receive them. I have one elderly relative but will email her as she lives in Oz.

here you all go, either email it or print it and post.

@ShadyLady53 I can send you one . Seriously.
Absolutely agree that it's sad that the tradition is dying out.

I really enjoy sending and receiving them, they are all recycled.

I secretly judge the FB announcements about giving to charity instead, which I know is mean but I don’t believe them. It can’t be for environmental reasons with my friends as they all fly at least twice a year and buy plastic rubbish from China regularly.

I used to post 600 including clients (most were clients). I don't send them to clients now. I do send about 30 - 50 but not to those who do not usually send them back. Some people I just hear from once a year with their own card and sometimes their year's news which is nice to see so I reciprocate.

I tend not to think about them nor Christmas however until we pass mid December when a heap of family December birthdays are over which is also when we get our tree.

@Xenia isn't that bit risky? I once sent cards out on 17th and they arrived after Christmas. Since than it is first or second week of Dec latest.
Abroad even earlier because country I am sending them to has the most ridiculous mail🙄

Sadly it definitely seems to be a custom that's dying out. I think my mother's generation is the last one to send out dozens of cards and to have loads of them displayed on the mantelpiece and on strings around the room.

I am definitely getting far fewer than I used to about ten years ago. It's a pity but I think people are so caught up in the mad hassle of Christmas nowadays that sending cards has just become a chore they can do without.