To not send Christmas cards this year?

[Orangesandlemons77]

I usually do, but with the cost of stamps and also the feeling of expectation (I don't want others to feel they need to send one back) I am re-considering this year

Anyone else, or do you still send cards?

I stopped a couple of years ago, but I still feel a pang of guilt if we receive one knowing that person won’t get one back in return.

I'm in my mid 40s and while I love sending and receiving cards, I've noticed that hardly anyone my age sends them now. I don't mind a bit if I send a card to someone and don't get one back, but I wouldn't want them to feel bad about it. I will only be sending a few this year, mostly to older relatives that I won't be seeing in person over Christmas.

I stopped sending cards a few years ago when I was stressed out my box due to father's dementia but the year I decided, I still sent all the normal cards with a handwritten note explaining politely I was stopping sending cards in future years but didn't want to just stop without explaining it was due to father being a bit unwell at that time so I had to focus on helping him and environmental reasons were also a factor. I gave everyone a reminder of my mobile number, said I'd welcome them to message me or phone me for a chat any time. I didn't hear from that many of them. I don't miss the stress/time spent writing all the cards and the price of a stamp is ridiculous now, and I found I don't acrually miss cards from people I used to exchange them with, some of whom I hadn't seen in person for years. Do what you feel is right for you

This will blow some peoples minds on here!

I have cut out giving Christmas cards to around 80% of people I used to give to. Only give about 15 cards out now.

And I DON'T GIVE ANYTHING TO CHARITY! 😱

I only send about 10 now . I absolutely cringe when people put their decision on SM and announce they are donating to charity, just do it and not make a thing about it !

Haven't sent cards for years I donate to a charity every year instead.

I think this is the year I will put a stop to cards, there's already a post from someone else in family whatsapp group saying we should all call a halt to it.

I think some people probs do give to charity. I think some use it as an excuse to stop sending cards. I stopped sending and just said the honest reason why.

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards (and I’m in my 30s!). I have no problem whatsoever with people who stop but I do roll my eyes at the Facebook posts about stopping and giving to charity instead. They don’t tend to write the same posts about giving up other wasteful things over Christmas so it’s clear that it’s just an excuse.

If you don’t want to send them, don’t. Easy.

The amount I send and receive reduces every year. The older generation still send them in my experience but there are less of them each year sadly. There are a few old friends who I send to as it's our only definite communication. The cards get later each year as I think people hold off sending them and just send to those they receives card from. I probably send about ten a year but it's an expensive business and I can see that Christmas cards will probably be a tradition consigned to the past within a few years.

I send a few to elderly people who I am not in regular contact with otherwise, [would like to take the time to drop them a line so it's as good a time as any] and who don't use email.
I'd love a Christmas postcard stamp option. Less wasteful as no envelope, lower SLA from Royal Mail so cheaper price and you can still take the time to contact people and say hello.

I first stopped sending cards 'for' my DHs side after reading WifeWork about 10 years ago so the list dwindled to about 40, until finally last year I sent 0. Very freeing, I'm in touch with anyone I really care about on whatsapp or calls anyway.

I do miss having a few nice ones on the shelves though so I have a cunning plan. This year I'm going to buy 10 or beautiful cards and display them blank. Then pack away and re-use for years.

Yanbu

I send three which I will send this week with 2nd class stamps

I love sending cards at Christmas! It makes me feel like Christmas is really on the way ☺️

I send about 40 and get about that back again, plus more from work (teacher). I usually leave my DH to do any he wants to send to his family and friends but there are a couple of elderly relatives he has who will send us a card without fail so I always make sure to do one for them as DH rarely bothers.

I recycle the cards received every year into gift tags for the following Christmas.

I send fewer and fewer each year (either posting or giving in person) and receive fewer and fewer. Most of my friends and colleagues used to exchange cards but very few do now.

It seems to be only children and elderly people who still really like them.

My parents or in-laws visit and they always ask to read our cards so that wouldn't work for us! 😆 Good idea though!

I knocked this on the head about a decade ago. I used to love them because you got a letter with them. But it's an arseache.

I do still send cards with a letter, because I know how much they are appreciated by some very elderly relatives who don’t use social media. It is naturally becoming less each year and I will carry on for those people.

Haven’t for years.
I do hand out a few to neighbours etc.

Hmm, I sent a few texts instead explaining and had one back saying "Happy Christmas" and others no reply. Hope have not upset anyone.

I used to do that (recycle into gift tags). I even used late gran's pinking shears to cut them up. I don't have the energy to do it any more sadly but I don't feel guilty about stopping Christmas cards in recent years

I send cards to people who I know will enjoy them. I know a lot of people who live alone of varying ages from 27- 92 and the way they light up when they receive a card is lovely.

i think loneliness is becoming more common but we’re somehow reluctant to discuss it. I know people in their 20s who are lonely - it’s so sad.

so don’t write them off (see what I did there?) completely unless it’s a financial decision.

And I urge you to reconsider if you know anyone who could be suffering from loneliness at any age!

2019-2020 we didn’t send any due to expense & we told everyone why.
2021 - 2023 we sent a few
2024 we will send to those who genuinely enjoy them (because some people don’t, and that’s ok. Happy to respect that)

I will also stop with Dh's family this year. It is too much. We also have this present giving thing with some of his family where they travel to swap gifts (usually e.g. packets of biscuits) which seems more difficult to get out off. It's also right before Christmas itself and needs preparing for which is a pain but Dh can do that if he wants to

Am perimenopausal and really can't be arsed with it all this year.

Ha, I was exactly the same! God I used to abuse that poor franking machine.