Stopping sending Xmas cards

[stinkymonkey]

Just putting the Xmas cards in the recycling and have noticed that several people who usually send us cards haven't done so this year. I know that many people are stopping sending cards because of environmental/credit crunchy/can't be bothered reasons. Either that or they hate us. Though one of our friends did send a Xmas greetings text instead.

So if your friends have stopped sending cards, does this mean you stop sending to them? I don't send a lot of cards, but I don't want to offend people if they have gone down the 'cards are a pile of poo' route.

I never send cards and tbh am amazed that people send them to me despite not getting one back. I wouldn't be offended if they stopped at all.

If I don't get a card from someone that I have had one from in the past I usually send one the next year - because if I don't and get one from them I feel bad about it. If they don't respond for two years I would stop sending cards. I love christmas cards, they cheer up my house, I like to know that old friends and relations are thinking about me at Christmas and I like to remember them too and try to send designs they will like and make some of my own cards for special friends. It is no more wasteful of resources to make or manufacture a card than to make or manufacture a cereal packet or other wrapping and I suspect that some gifty type shops will be very dependant on income from greetings cards to keep open this next year. I find the current anti- card thing a bit sad.

We haven't sent cards either for the past 2 years. Doesn't bother most people and we still get loads back. I just think it is such a waste of paper and they hang around your house for weeks looking scruffy!

We send cards to loads of friends and rellies and receive fewer and fewer each year, despite each being personal to the receiver. And yes, we're hurt by this, having moved to Oz means these small contacts mean a lot.

I don't buy the credit crunch because all but a tiny number of older rels and friends have computers, and all the oldies send cards!

DH was v. cross about last year but I relented. This year it's me who's cross, so now the list is down to 1) those who sent a card on '08; those who keep in touch by email/phone; close rels. I can tell you, the list is down to about 25% of 08's list.

I think the anti-cards attitude is sad too. I think often it's more to do with laziness than environmental concerns or cost cutting. Cards can be bought for as little as £1 for 20, and can be recycled.

I keep a record of who sends cards and who doesn't to help me manage the mailing list. I give people a year - there could be a good reason why they didn't send us a card one year - new baby, illness, house move - but if no card 2 years running I take them off the list. I have to keep the list to a manageable size, 50 cards is about right.