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Original poster

If you say 'Im not sending cards'

145 replies

Forestdweller11 · 22/12/2021 10:21

Do you actually not send any at all? I've decided not to send cards this year, but some family appear a bit upset at my decision.

So those who don't send cards do you actually send a few out to family etc?

Immediately family are close by so I could hand deliver, bit I feel it sort of defeats the object.

OP posts:
CaMePlaitPas · 22/12/2021 17:34

I've never sent a Christmas card. They're tat, I open them and put them straight in the recycling. Why on earth would I keep a pointless bit of paper with a fat dopey-looking snowman on my mantelpiece?

Gingerbreadrules · 22/12/2021 17:53

@DoubleDeckerSwimmer
You've misunderstood me. If you see my other message upthread, you'll see. I don't send cards to most people but I do make sure to send a Christmas message / keep in contact with people via other methods.

What I'm saying is, if someone says "I don't send cards" fair enough, but if they also don't actually bother to keep in touch with their friends in other ways then they are not really being a friend.

00100001 · 22/12/2021 18:16

@CaMePlaitPas

I've never sent a Christmas card. They're tat, I open them and put them straight in the recycling. Why on earth would I keep a pointless bit of paper with a fat dopey-looking snowman on my mantelpiece?
Miserable...
Yogaandcocoa · 22/12/2021 18:21

I make an effort to send cards to those we won't see over the Christmas period

Luredbyapomegranate · 22/12/2021 18:36

None at all

I do birthday cards and random cards - I really like cards - I just find the mass mail out of Christmas a bit pointless

Ragwort · 22/12/2021 18:41

Personally I love sending and receiving cards - we send about 100 - and receive about the same number back. (Yes, I know I am lucky to be able to afford it and I also give to charity at Christmas- and throughout the year).
I don't use SM, apart from Mumsnet, so it is a nice way of keeping in touch with people.

I am not sure if cards are dying out, I manage a charity shop and we sell a LOT of Christmas cards.

RamblingFar · 22/12/2021 18:50

I've sent none, I've received one.

I expect I'll get a lot of WhatsApp/Messenger/texts over the next few days though.

RedskyThisNight · 22/12/2021 20:35

[quote Chloemol]@RedskyThisNight

Don’t be ridiculous, of course I spend time with family and friends, but lots live away, and I don’t just put to and from, there are personalised messages to them[/quote]
I think you're in a minority then - the vast majority of Christmas cards we received before we politely suggested to people that they stop simply said "from x to y". As is the case at anyone's house where they have their cards on display.

I used to know one person who wrote her cards in the lull after Christmas, ready for the following year. You can't tell me she was writing personal messages in each one. It was simply a thing she felt was expected.

Ragwort · 22/12/2021 21:27

I must be up in the same 'minority' then, nearly all my cards have personal messages, catching up with news etc (even the dreaded round robin letter which I quite enjoy Grin), I don't exchange cards with many 'local' friends, but even in one or two that are local I have had lovely, personal messages reflecting in things we've done this year.

Beautiful3 · 23/12/2021 00:04

The last 2 Christmases we've not posted cards, and made a charity donation instead. However with lockdown and the way covids affected us all, we've sent cards this time. It's nice to touch base and write a little note in the cards. Some family members have been feeling isolated, the cards cheer them up, like they have me.

Fairylights25 · 23/12/2021 05:31

Cards are tat?!

Erm, I disagree, they are important tool and a very old tradition in fact, and a personal well written card is a joy to receive. I agree the ones that simply say ' happy christmas fairy and friends, love xx' are not interesting but I always make mine personal to the recipient, often with plans to meet up in the new year.

Sweetener12 · 23/12/2021 09:03

The only cards we do are Smartshow 3d video cards that are sent and recieved by emails. We stopped doing mail cards long ago.

dementedma · 23/12/2021 09:15

I have a friend who puts on social media that shes not doing cards but giving to Charity. The two are not mutually exclusive. I do both.

Traceyfromthecornershop · 23/12/2021 09:40

I send six. Waste of time and energy

Lockdownbear · 23/12/2021 09:41

@Billyliarohdear

I send cards to everyone who sends me one.
Me too, very sad but after Christmas when I take the cards down I check who's sent so I know for next year. .I don't mind sending cards but I grudge the postage cost.

School have done their best to stop it on environmental grounds, 500 kids x 30 cards each is 15,000 cards! Not to mention the cost.

Ragwort · 23/12/2021 10:05

dementedma - totally agree, it's just virtue signalling isn't it? I do both but don't need to tell anyone I am making a donation to charity. And why give up sending cards? Why not buy less expensive presents, less alcohol, less food etc ?

DoubleDeckerSwimmer · 23/12/2021 11:38

[quote Gingerbreadrules]@DoubleDeckerSwimmer
You've misunderstood me. If you see my other message upthread, you'll see. I don't send cards to most people but I do make sure to send a Christmas message / keep in contact with people via other methods.

What I'm saying is, if someone says "I don't send cards" fair enough, but if they also don't actually bother to keep in touch with their friends in other ways then they are not really being a friend.[/quote]
Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, that does make sense.

VanGoghsDog · 23/12/2021 13:59

@Ragwort

dementedma - totally agree, it's just virtue signalling isn't it? I do both but don't need to tell anyone I am making a donation to charity. And why give up sending cards? Why not buy less expensive presents, less alcohol, less food etc ?
Maybe they do that too but don't need to tell you?

I stopped gifts this year, I just didn't feel like doing them so I let people know. I don't feel the need to let them know that I also decided not to buy any alcohol.

pinkksugarmouse · 26/12/2021 01:05

DH and I exchange special ones. I don’t send any others. DH sends a few to people who send them to us but are his friends.

When I ran a Brownie pack I gave them to each girl and volunteer (from Brown Owl) but I think that’s different to sending them from me personally.

pinkksugarmouse · 26/12/2021 01:11

@Ragwort

dementedma - totally agree, it's just virtue signalling isn't it? I do both but don't need to tell anyone I am making a donation to charity. And why give up sending cards? Why not buy less expensive presents, less alcohol, less food etc ?
Maybe they don’t spend a lot on alcohol or presents or extra food.

Maybe people are trying to nudge those on the fence about whether Christmas cards sent to all on sundry are worth the time and money. Some people feel obligated and perhaps feel they have to justify why they are stopping sending them. Obviously for those not on the fence who love Christmas cards will not even think twice about it.

I doubt it’s virtue signalling. You are overthinking it a bit. 🎄

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