Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

I'm not doing it.

41 replies

Hoooo · 23/10/2019 08:08

Xmas cards, that is!

When I lived at home I did my parents cards as they hated the job.

I've always done them since I married.

So...approx: 35 years of choosing, buying, writing and posting xmas cards.

Over the years we've had fewer and fewer arrive each year.

On sunday I sat down fully intending to do them....I wrote family ones first....and stopped.

It's SUCH a waste of paper! And time!

So, I'm not doing it this year (apart from 1 or 2 older relatives who like a card...)

Anyone else or am I a grinch???[santa]

OP posts:
Sally99 · 23/10/2019 08:14

I only send them to older people who still expect them. Most of my friends make announcements on social media that they are donating to charity rather than sending them (sometimes I'm mean enough to wonder if they actually do donate).

VividImagination · 23/10/2019 08:20

No. I think it’s very sensible. I send to my godmother, as she has no relatives left now, and an elderly friend of my late mother just to keep in touch. Generally it’s a waste of resources and money.

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 23/10/2019 08:42

I only send a handful of cards to relatives. DH does his own and often suggests we send them neighbours- I tell him I’m happy for him to do, he has yet to do it.

No announcement on social media although we also do a Christmas charity donation.

I hate receiving Christmas cards.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2019 08:58

I send about three (parents. Pil. Bro.sil) and that's it .some people still like them .read and keep them. I donate the money I would have spent to charity (rather than tell people I simply CBA writing them )

MyOtherProfile · 23/10/2019 09:00

On sunday I sat down fully intending to do them....I wrote family ones first....and stopped.

No way! Really? In October?

Pinkypie86 · 23/10/2019 09:02

Amen!!!
Haven't done them for a few years.
I will send, Dad, SIL, 2 Aunts and 2 Uncles - Only because they live 200 miles away and the rest of my family are deceased!

I hate the whole, xmas card from people you don't even say Hello to whilst putting the bins out - what a complete waste of paper!!
Send an E-card if you feel terrible or one of those postcard apps - mini card if you like.

Blingandrings · 23/10/2019 09:05

I’ve mostly given up.

Longdistance · 23/10/2019 09:11

Yanbu.

I just write to those abroad, and family. It totals about twelve cards.

Greyhound22 · 23/10/2019 09:13

I'm not doing it either. I'm buying the 'named' ones such as Auntie and Uncle as my elderly still enjoy them but I'm not buying packs anymore. I hate writing them and they a waste - I'm certainly not doing the school ones where I have to sit writing 35 cards - think we got 8-10 back last year so forget it.

missyB1 · 23/10/2019 09:14

We only send the ones that go overseas (in laws are in South Africa), we have good friends in Australia and USA. And a couple of friends in Scotland that we only see every couple of years.

NerrSnerr · 23/10/2019 09:17

We've moved around a lot and don't live near any family so send them to everyone who doesn't love local. I also make sure I send them with a note to anyone who may be having a tough tome.

A couple of years ago I was pregnant and not well at all, signed off work and pretty much housebound with a toddler. I really appreciated every Christmas card I got, made me feel less lonely. I waited for the postman every day and was really disappointed if a card didn't come. I was only housebound for a couple of months so can only imagine what it's like all the time. (I write letter to lots of friends/ family throughout the year too so don't just remember them at Christmas).

val4 · 23/10/2019 09:20

I have to say I love to receive and send Christmas cards. I have greatly reduced but still send to family and friends who I dont see regularly. I love the excitement of a red envelope arriving through the letter box and feel it is start of our Christmas. It's once a year and I think it's worth the effort. I know for a fact that my relatives ( many elderly) love to receive them!

billandbenflowerpotmen1 · 23/10/2019 09:28

I stopped 13 years ago after a difficult year. I never went back to them and now receive hardly any thank Goodness

Original poster
Hoooo · 23/10/2019 09:34

Oh! I'm so relieved it's not just me!

Yes...really!

December is hugely busy for me with the voluntary group I run so all has to be done by end of November:)

OP posts:
sewinginscotland · 23/10/2019 09:47

I do family and neighbours. So about 20 cards. We don't receive many now 😂. As you say, it's such a waste of time, money and cardboard!

We had a newborn last year so didn't give any gifts either (told people in advance). that was so much less stressful too.

MrsBobDylan · 23/10/2019 09:59

I stopped a few years ago - in fact I asked MN permission and my Christmas wish was granted!

At the time my life had changed beyond recognition. The issues were permanent and I was just about managing to keep me and my family alive. I didn't need to write and send 50 cards, so I let it go.

DreamingofSunshine · 23/10/2019 10:01

I'm with Val, I love receiving cards. We used to live abroad and its so nice to have a Christmas card with their news, and explaining to DS what his old friends are up to.

I recycle the cards into tags, or craft stuff for DS.

WagtailRobin · 23/10/2019 15:56

I will be sending cards to 4 people and I'm only sending those because they have no access to the internet.

My mum used to send cards to all of her children/grandchildren/extended family/friends, yet she would see all of these people over Christmas anyway; It was only last year she fully embraced the fact it was such a waste of money and an unnecessary use of paper, so even she no longer does cards!

Mrsjayy · 23/10/2019 16:00

I give to my inlaws my parents and my neighbours on my side who are elderly and like a card I don't even say I'm giving to charity Grin

Mrsjayy · 23/10/2019 16:01

My aunt gets a card I bought a big box a couple of years ago and it comes out every year.

Bonkerz · 23/10/2019 16:07

I haven't sent cards for a few years now. We only ever have cards from the kids at dcs school now which is a relief. I do make a donation though to a local charity every year and also do a food bank shop.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 23/10/2019 16:19

I haven't done cards for a few years, except for elderly relatives. However I will admit to feeling slightly sad that the avalanche of cards we used to receive has melted away as well. I wonder if this is a decision I'll live to regret as I get older and even more stuck in my ways.

Confession: I have saved the nicest cards for several years so we have plenty on display, as long as nobody reads inside Wink

InOtterNews · 23/10/2019 16:30

I only actually send around 10 a year - these are for friends or family who don't live either in the same area or abroad. Sod writing to friends/family who I will see at Christmas.

But I do make a donation to charity for the amount I would spend on cards and email friends/family to tell them I've done this

Mrsjayy · 23/10/2019 16:33

I do do a Christmas charity donation I just don't say it's because I don't send cards

purplecorkheart · 23/10/2019 16:38

I send two cards every year to two elderly nuns who taught me and always send me cards. Other than that I don't. I think it is a waste of paper and postage costs are quite high here.