Being Green not sending Xmas Cards

JOANNESAPHINE

Hi, this is my first thread so I hope I've done it okay. Really need advice on not sending Christmas cards this year to anyone. Been thinking about it for years but the paper wastage etc is really bothering me and this year I'm going for it. Was thinking of suggesting to people to not send me a card and donate to charity instead which is what I am doing but am very worried about offending people, especially difficult family members. Anybody else done this and how do you approach it the first year without offending everyone?

Ken68

Gave it up Joanne, my folks didn't understand. You need a physical reminder that you exist.
And a lot of older people not internet aware. Am going to send printer made ones this year, picture of a home grown lily and big copperplate writing on the inside of an A4.

JOANNESAPHINE

Thank you Ken68. My folks certainly are not computer friendly. Just see my main problem being upsetting family by not sending cards although I want to save the trees and not send cards and make a donation to a charity instead. Definitely going to mention at work that I wont be sending cards and see if anyone else fancies doing it. I know two other ladies already do it and our work place is working towards an eco award so it may help win brownie points for that.

pink_numbers

How about calling your folks on christmas day instead?

JOANNESAPHINE

That's a good idea pink numbers and they might appreciate the thought more. Thank you.

BOGOF_Queen

We stopped sending each other Xmas cards at work several years ago - instead those that wish to, email Xmas Greetings round to everyone on the last day before we close for the Xmas break most of us make a small donation to a charity. Once Xmas is over, we then send a cheque off to the chosen charity for the money raised - makes for a lot less Xmas cards to have to write out as I have about 30 colleagues in my office.

dopeyfairy

I only send about 10 now. None to people I see regularly. I think it has become more acceptable not to send them now.

JOANNESAPHINE

Thank you BOGOF Queen and dopeyfairy you have made me feel better about my decision. When I tell some people they look horrified that I wont be doing cards. I think I may just have to do about 12 or so to people who I don't see or I'll just lose touch with them.

Nicoll

I only send to people I don't really get to see, like family that live far away. Don't give any to people to I see all the time.

I would like to stop sending so many birthday cards especially people I see all the time but think they would think I'm being tight.

zzzLazyDaisy

I hardly give any cards now. Most people get an e-card in the run up to christmas and a text on christmas day.

I don't get many cards either as a result. But those I do get are re-cycled into home made cards for the half dozen or so people I do send cards to, because I know they'd be upset or offended if they didn't get one from me.

I also ask my Dad to save his cards and pass them on to me, so I have a small stash of HM cards in case I miss someone out by mistake!

Sweetsyd

In our office, for the last couple of years, I've bought one of those HUGE cards from the Card Factory (nice and cheap!) and everyone pays a £1 to sign it which we then donate to charity. After Xmas the card gets recycled.