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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if people will want Christmas cards this year?

32 replies

Doodler123 · 04/12/2020 08:17

Or are they really germy? (heard a couple of people I don't know muttering about this)

I do personalised hand drawn Christmas cards featuring pets and family members, positive things from their year or things that mean something to the recipient. They usually go down a storm, but not sure if they'll be wanted in Covid times? A few people I'd usually send them to could be described as vulnerable. I am being exceptionally careful myself and basically going out as little as possible but have socially distanced contact with around 20 people a week.

I'm trying to be considerate so would appreciate views on this.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

RaspberryCoulis · 04/12/2020 08:19

If you really, really think that anyone is going to catch Covid or anything else from a Christmas card, you need to give your head a wobble.

stonebrambleboy · 04/12/2020 08:20

I've wondered about this. Licking all those envelopes and mailing them to far flung places. Should we be doing this?

Curtainsdrawn · 04/12/2020 08:20

I’m sending them and enjoy receiving them too - I would absolutely love a hand drawn personalised card!! However I’m low risk for COVID, so maybe ask the couple of people that you know who are vulnerable and see what they think?

Original poster

Doodler123 · 04/12/2020 08:21

Hey @RaspberryCoulis - I'm trying to be thoughtful here about people who are more vulnerable than I am. I wouldn't be concerned but they may be.

OP posts:

kowari · 04/12/2020 08:22

If they are worried they could just not open them for a few days. The risk is minuscule.

TreacleHart · 04/12/2020 08:23

I think sending cards to vulnerable / shielding people ( especially ) handmade ones , is a lovely thing to do.
I'm sure the vulnerable person has worked out their system of doing things in items that come into the house , be in carry on as normal , wash everything in sight , or quarantine for a few days before dealing with.
I'd just do as usual as send out your cards.

kowari · 04/12/2020 08:24

No need to lick, use a sponge. Could write 'unlicked' if you wanted to go that far.

TheFlyingAspidistra · 04/12/2020 08:24

You shouldn’t have been licking envelopes even before COVID-19. Grim.

Topseyt · 04/12/2020 08:25

They are no more germ laden now than they ever were. Send them if you want to, don't if you don't want to. Why would they be any more germ laden than any other post or deliveries?

I won't be sending any except to my parents who I won't see at Christmas. But it has nothing to do with Covid and everything to do with the fact that I haven't for years as I can't be arsed with them.

Snog · 04/12/2020 08:26

I love handmade cards and will deffo be sending some.

User565635 · 04/12/2020 08:28

I can't believe you are asking this question. You might as well go and hide away in a cave if this is how you live your life.

Imperfectcurves · 04/12/2020 08:29

Your cards sound great. I think elderly isolated relatives will appreciate them more than ever this year. I'm sending mine early as the vulnerable folk in my family all quarantine their post and parcels for a few days before opening. I've no idea whether or not there have been recorded cases of Covid-19 being transmitted via post, but either way it helps them to feel more in control.

Plastichearts · 04/12/2020 08:31

I’m assuming people are not bothering with cards this year as it’s difficult to shop and celebrations will be more low-key. From an environmental point of view I don’t like cards any more but the COVID risk from a card wouldn’t bother me if I received one.

ImAKaren · 04/12/2020 08:32

If people are concerned they could leave cards to quarantine for a few days (as with any other mail). Or just wash hands after opening and displaying, as I do.
Where does this madness stop? Shall we ban all gifting this year?
That said I do think Covid might be the final nail in the coffin for the card-sending tradition, now that people have really got their heads around digital communication. The price of a stamp goes up by 9p to 85p early next year too. It starts to become very expensive to send a batch of cards.
I now only send to a few elderly folks I won't otherwise have contact with in the coming weeks.

FuzzyPuffling · 04/12/2020 08:33

Yes. Please send them. They sound lovely, and in this horrible, isolated, lonely year, Christmas cards are more needed than ever.

steppemum · 04/12/2020 08:34

If you are worried, then make then and get them ready (sealed addressed) and then leave them sitting in a bag for 3 days.
Then if recipient is worried they will quaratine post for a few days.

We are doing the opposite, we are sending more as we haven't seen anyone, so we are putting photos in too.

AuntieStella · 04/12/2020 08:34

Yes send them.

Get them in the post early so if you do have anyone who quarantines their post, they still have plenty of time to get them up on display.

I think this year, more than other years, people will welcome something cheery dropping on the mat

Imperfectcurves · 04/12/2020 08:37

@User565635

I can't believe you are asking this question. You might as well go and hide away in a cave if this is how you live your life.

Crikey what a mean post in answer to someone who is just being thoughtful about others. Hiding away in a cave might be preferable to posting churlish comments.

NightCzar · 04/12/2020 08:38

OMG How depressing - surely be there's no evidence of transmission by post anywhere.

elQuintoConyo · 04/12/2020 08:38

I've sent more than usual as I won't see anybody and they're cheerful!

Like OP, I hand make mine and recipients like them.

However, post to Australia is not permitted from here (I'm in Spain), so I have my elderly aunt's card sitting here in its envelope. She may receive it at Easter!

Any post I receive gets opened immediately, I'm not hysterical over post, haven't been all year

So, I'd say go ahead and send them. If people want to quarantine their post 72 hours, then let them, it won't make a difference.

DappledThings · 04/12/2020 08:52

I'll be sending mine. With locked envelopes as usual. I thought someone was joking the first time they mentioned germy envelope transmission. I still think it's a joke.

Although Envelope Transmission would be a great 80s rock album name.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 04/12/2020 08:55

Send them. I sent few more than last year. It's lovely bit. I make sure mine are recyclable so no glitter and plastic bits on.

You shouldn’t have been licking envelopes even before COVID-19. Grim.
Immunity building😂

halcyondays · 04/12/2020 09:00

I still want them. I wash hands after opening post anyway and did this before Covid.

Rest assured, if I have sent you a card, I have not licked any envelopes. I have sealed them using my patented technique which involves a damp cloth.

NameChange84 · 04/12/2020 09:16

I’ve been shielding most of the year and would LOVE cards. I love them any year but this year especially. Send them!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/12/2020 09:27

Personally am glad to get any post that isn't a bill, I am sure the friends you normally send cards to will be used to quarantining mail if they're vulnerable and very pleased to receive your creations.

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