To think sending postcards is a massive chore?

[WhatsMyDream]

Whenever we go on holiday, family member says to my DC (in my hearing) "make sure to send me a postcard"
I have come to find that sending a postcard generally involves 4 steps, all of which are a chore

1. find the postcard
2. write it
3. find a stamp - usually never sold by the postcard shop
4. find the postbox

All of these tasks to be achieved whilst wrangling DC abroad in unfamiliar areas while they all want to do something different to each other and me. Family member is a single traveller for whom postcard sourcing is probably a nice way to spend an afternoon pottering. For me holidays are a combination of DC : complaining about the weather, wanting an ice cream, needing the toilet, wanting to buy X random cheap toy, being hungry, being thirsty, not wanting to visit whatever thing the country is famous for, wanting to go back to the pool etc

Throwing a postcard obstacle course into the mix is just a step too far

Did you start a thread about liking to work on holiday? Because it means you get time to yourself? And it transpired that basically you and your husband were very unhappy together?

I'm a SAHM. So my work follows me on holidays 😀

Edited to add - no that wasn't me

so get the card, fill in on flight home, post in uk.

or don’t

you seem articulate enough to me on this thread to address this non issue

I cannot believe you are still sending postcards.

To the 95 year old aunt you are fond of, OK, anyone else can see you social and if you aren’t on social they should be so bored of other people’s holidays they won’t care.

Dd sends us postcards from around the world and it's lovely X she started doing this after buying a bundle of old postcards in a book shop with heartfelt messages.. It is a completely outdated form of communication, but that is the joy of it really isn't it?

You don’t know where i got the idea from that you don’t enjoy holidays.

um…

For me holidays are a combination of DC : complaining about the weather, wanting an ice cream, needing the toilet, wanting to buy X random cheap toy, being hungry, being thirsty, not wanting to visit whatever thing the country is famous for, wanting to go back to the pool etc

Fair enough but do your children never express a need or desire? Am I the only one whose children get hot, thirsty and hungry on a day out ? And want ice cream when they see the stall? And are sadly not interested in seeing The Vatican or The Eiffel Tower because the hotel has a pool?

(I should have said days out on holiday. Not holidays full stop)

Yes op

my children never express a desire

because that is the only alternative to

For me holidays are a combination of DC : complaining about the weather, wanting an ice cream, needing the toilet, wanting to buy X random cheap toy, being hungry, being thirsty, not wanting to visit whatever thing the country is famous for, wanting to go back to the pool etc

Ok 🤷‍♀️

Enjoy your hols Op!

PIL were obsessed with them and were very offended we didn’t send them even if we went somewhere for the night!
There were loads of times when the postcard arrived well after we came home, or DH just wrote and posted the card from home! Massive waste of time.
The took one holiday, for 2 weeks, to the same resort, not doing much. I think for them postcards were a time wasting exercise like buying presents for everyone that they didn’t want. My holidays tend to be very busy.

I think when you’re not even on holiday and already getting worked up off about the “massive chore” of buying and sending one postcard (4 step process 😆)… it’s time to pause and ask yourself “what the f”ck is really wrong in my life”

There is no need for them anymore. Previously you would have had no contact with anyone while on holiday. But that’s no longer the case.

I don't agree at all, I find postcards no bother and an easy way to connect. You say to the relative - 'yes if we can find a postcard we'll definitely send one'.

If/when you see a postcard you pick it up. You ask someone where to get stamps. You post it if/when you see a post box or when you get back.

If you don't see a postcard you get your child to write any card in the UK saying 'We couldn't find a post card! So I'm sending this instead, see you soon x'

You seem pretty negative about holidays in general, which might be the bigger issue.

You need the app, like touch note

they are brilliant
TBH cost is about the same

but they often have offers and free cards

and no hunting for the one kiosk that actually sells stamps or an open post office, and you get to send a unique card with a photo you took. Not the same as whatsapping the pic as the recipient gets a card in the post that they can stick in their fridge, which the GPs appreciate

I didn’t know postcards still existed! Seems like a throwback to another time.

Use the TouchNote app! All done from your phone and relatives get a pic of the kids in the location rather than just a generic location postcard! Win win!

Our 4 year old grandchild loves receiving post. Don’t bother for anyone else.

I hope you get some down-time on holiday OP and that Billy Big Balls does his share with the kids. SAHMs need to relax too.

As for the postcards, just lightly say that you won’t be sending them but you’ll send WhatsApp photos of anything interesting. Job done. No big deal.

I don’t know a single person who does this.

And op, you are making life harder for yourself. No one is forcing you to do it. You have complete control over saying NO or not doing it.

Yes people do "still really do that". The people who are likely to enjoy receiving a card are often the ones without the internet and without much else going on in their lives. I wouldn't have dreamt of going away for more than a long weekend and not sending a card to my mother, for example. The card would then be on display for a long time afterwards. It gave her enjoyment and showed we were thinking of her. If she was still around, I would still be doing it, however inconvenient it might be. So you can stop with the faux incredulity.

I used to hate the faff of postcards too. My poor mum never got one from me/the kids. I think i still have some unwritten ones from family hols from 15 years ago (with the stamps).

But with my MIL we got into the habit of sending via Moonpig. Couple of pics of the holiday and 3 lines. All done and sent by 2nd day of hols.
She loved them and we sent them from all sorts (even just a day trip if it was interesting)

I've used PostSnap for years. Take some nice photos of the view/DC having fun, upload to the app, write a message and check out to the various addresses. No stamp hunting. Recommended 👍 Here's my referral code if you want to try it (we both get free credit): 23574C

https://www.postsnap.com/postcards