So I've always been the sort of person to send Christmas cards to pretty much everyone we know, get them sent off nice and early, blah blah blah. But this year for some reason my attitude has completely changed and I feel I've done a bit of a u-turn. I don't want to send cards at all (except maybe one or two to elderly relatives who would be sad not to get one). Part of it is that with a toddler I've become a lot more disorganised. Part of it is that I've been making efforts to reduce waste and it suddenly dawned on me how wasteful cards are. Part of me remembers how I rushed them last year and the messages I wrote ended up so generic as to render the whole process quite meaningless! Why bother spending a fortune on stamps and cards that probably can't be recycled and will be looked at once, then thrown away in a couple of weeks, rushing to get them sent in time and ultimately not even having time to write a thoughtful message to each person?
Anyway so now it's December the cards have started flooding in our front door each day and I'm feeling the guilt for not having even bought any. I don't want to change my mind (and haven't really got time now anyway) but I do want to get in touch somehow with my friends and family to wish them a merry Christmas and ask how they are.
I like the idea of doing ecards, or even just emails/texts, plus making a charity donation, but I don't want to be seen to be making a big fuss about avoiding waste and also giving to charity as it might come across as holier than thou! "Ooh look, I know you sent me a card that I can't recycle and it's very nice and all but I've decided it's wasteful so here's what I'm doing that I think is better..."
What message can I write that would explain my reasons without being OTT and without rambling on? (which I know I have a tendency to do...!)
Just need something short and simple to explain myself a bit. Especially as it's a major turnaround from my usual style! I always used to say it was lovely sending and receiving loads of cards, and in a way it is, but I'm sure there are other, better ways to keep in touch and there are certainly plenty of other Christmas traditions I can still continue with!
Please help.!!