AIBU to really loathe e-cards?

[Procrastinatrixx]

As Christmas approaches I’m looking forward to getting & receiving old fashioned Christmas cards (it’s on my mind as I have to prep & post by mid-November to reach parts of my home country and friends who live abroad in time). I like decorating our home with them and feel they’re a nice physical link with friends and family I don’t get to see much. I like looking at them, especially everyone’s handwriting and signatures, and most of all I like looking up from whatever I’m doing and being reminded of loved ones for a month. I have 2 kids (4mo & 3yo) and like to include their personal touches in the ones we send out too (hand outlines, drawings, snickering etc). Sometimes a physical card is just what’s needed to give someone a smile and build or maintain a connection. That said, when I post I don’t expect Christmas cards in return, especially given the increasing costs involved, it’s just an old tradition I enjoy doing (we also do yulelogs, host a toddler friendly Xmas party, if I have time I forage & hang holly & mistletoe etc).

On the other hand I really dislike e-cards - especially when sent by close relatives like my mother, for Christmas, Birthdays, etc. They feel like a chore to be endured. To me, my email inbox fills with dozens of spam emails every day so e-cards just get lost amid the rubbish. They’re often tacky and the animated ones are annoying and slow. You only get to “enjoy” them for a minute or so. They still impact the environment via server sites and the electronics involved, so I don’t think they’re environmentally neutral either (which I know is often cited as a benefit). When I get them I just think the person couldn’t be bothered and a text message & personal update or photo would have been much more meaningful. The only exception to this are ones sent by elderly and frail relatives like my Nan, 99, where I know sending an e-card makes sense in terms of physical ability.

It’s just a quibble in the end, I’m not offended by e-cards, but I’m just interested to know who actually likes these things? Is it generational? What are your preferences?

YABU: e-cards are awesome.

YANBU: old fashion cards or direct text messages are preferred (or something else) to maintain a connection.

Also YANBU: I loathes all cards, electronic or physical. Just call me Scrooge.

I’d rather have a text than an e-card if someone doesn’t want to post a real card.

I never bother opening e-cards.

Bought 8 first class stamps last week.
£13.60 something.
Will be sending very few cards this year.

I don’t like e cards so won’t be sending those, but equally not going to be sending Christmas cards except to v close family and those I’m going to see.

I delete on sight.

I hate eCards. Like a PP said, I'd rather get a text.

What do you mean by snickering please?

It is far too expensive to send actual cards to everyone. I send a few to very close family members and friends but that's it.

We often send ecards for work birthdays as we are not all in the same location to sign.

Christmas cards are heading to extinction.

We haven’t sent cards for years now and I don’t think I’ve ever received an e-card, apart from at work. The number of cards we receive has also dwindled to virtually nothing, and any we do get go straight into the recycling once read.

I'm not a fan of traditional cards. Waste of resources, they just end up getting binned. Much prefer a text or an e-card. I know they take up some resources too, but they don't take up space in my recycling.

One cousin sends the exact same E card every year where the family are dancing elves. Funny for 30sec the first time I saw it but not now. I also have family abroad and have to be organised to post cards very early.

I used to buy cards under a certain weight to save a bit, but the last few years, they have ALL been ridiculously expensive. I send less and less every year, but have never sent an e card. I do like receiving an actual card.

*stickering! Sorry - autocorrect got me.

Thank you!

To those that just throw away their cards, a local lady collects them and makes them into lovely gift tags. There might be similar schemes near to you rather than throwing in the recycling.

I see real cards as unwanted clutter tbh. Especially the sent on mass, to x, love from y ones.

I don't want cards either, but a text is nice. The same applies though, just Happy Christmas is a bit pointless.

I've always turned mine into tags, recently the same day I receive them!

I hate real cards. At least no tree was destroyed to send me an ecard

Yeah, waste of time. That said, I don’t really like the clutter of actual cards either!

I’d rather get texts or better still emails or WhatsApp messages to broader family & friends groups with more content and maybe some photos.
I hate the waste of cards but don’t seem able to escape it for some people.

Years ago I would send about 30 cards out. These days I send about 5 and only post 3 of them. The other 2 I give personally. The price of stamps is extortionate.

The opposite makes more sense to me - cards for people you won't see and won't say Happy Christmas to in person. I only send them to elderly relatives now, fewer each year 😪

I delete ecards unread

I hate e-cards. I don’t bother opening them and certainly never send one in return .