Stop Sending Christmas Cards - what do you think?

babelfish

kethry wrote: »

From the sound of your OP you're more worried about people who won't get a card and yet who you actually want to keep in touch with, or family members who you don't see so often. The only other thing i can suggest for those is writing a short note (or phoning/emailing them) around now explaining that you won't be writing & posting christmas cards for the foreseeable future, and that instead, you'll be donating money to X charity, and then they know. It may defeat the object: writing to them to tell them you're not sending them a card.. LOL.. but you will only have to do it the once and not next year. I assume they're people you keep in touch with anyway, and i bet its only a small minority that you can't actually contact in another way.

keth
xx

This is such a good idea. I think I will actually do this. Sounds stupid but I never thought of writing a note! As you say, I would only have to do it the once.

Tuttifruitty_Theresa

I couldn't imagine christmas without christmas cards, to me it's part of christmas and although i make my own cards i love receiving cards from friends and family and don't care how much they spent on it (although i do love glittery cards lol). To be honest i don't know how i would feel if i didn't get any cards probably unloved :rotfl:



xx

Buffy_the_Vampire_Bat

Each year my Mum sends cards to people she worked with 40 years ago and hasn't seen for at least 35...a card is usually received in return, but this is the only contact they have each year. Each to their own, but I find this a little bizarre!

I send cards to family members and close friends, plus a couple of friends at work - I have drawn the list up and at the moment it stands at 36 cards. All of which will be homemade (the cards are completed already actually) - yes, it has cost me more than the 50 cards for a £1 type of cards, but I have a) enjoyed making them, and b) have made enough to sell as well, which should not only cover the costs, but pay for some Christmas goodies too

josieX

I must be a miseryguts because i think all the card sending at christmas is a bit pointless!!

As kids, we never gave cards to immediate family because we saw each other everyday. But we sent to relatives who lived further afield and friends from school, clubs etc.

Now though, because we dont see each other all the time (although we do live in close) we DO send cards to family, and to friends that are a part of our lives. But as for so called 'friends' and people who i dont give a thought about, apart from when writing xmas cards, i really dont see the point. I mean, if these people meant so much to me, (and vice versa) surely we would be taking time and effort to do more than just send a card at christmas? Every year I say 'i think i'll leave the cards til the last minute and see who i get a card from first'. Well, last year i did this and wasnt surprised when most of my cards were delivered after christmas, having hastily been posted about 22nd or 23rd December! A classic case of 'i better send a card back or it'll look bad'.(Predictably my real friends and family delivered well before christmas) Oh, and btw my OH thinks its all a total waste of time and money too.

Now tell us we're not miseryguts!!:p

josieX

Oh, in case you didnt guess, im all in favour of not doing the christmas card thing!

JAM1376

If you are going to write a note to say you are not sending cards any more, why not make this year the last year you send a card and write in each one that this is the last year you are sending cards? That way people have the year to get used to the idea, aren't offended by a note and no card and you are all prepared for next year.

Does this make sense? if you are going to send them all a note anyway....

Ianna

I make up a poster which I laminate and carry round with me. It just says that instead of sending cards I bought the ethical gift pictured (see here) and wish everyone a happy Christmas. I pass it round at work and carry it round with me so I can show people if I run into them and ask people to pop money into a charity box on my behalf rather than send me a card. Nobody's ever said a bad thing about it

kdean

One of the solicitors I worked for a few years ago used to donate money to charity and photocopy the cheque and put it on her office door so everyone could see that she had not forgotten them. Obviously this is difficult with people you don't see very often.

I love to receive cards but hate writing them out and remembering to send them in time. I like the idea of making my own but have not got round to doing it yet - maybe next year.

plumduff55

JAM1376 wrote: »

If you are going to write a note to say you are not sending cards any more, why not make this year the last year you send a card and write in each one that this is the last year you are sending cards? That way people have the year to get used to the idea, aren't offended by a note and no card and you are all prepared for next year.

Does this make sense? if you are going to send them all a note anyway....

Hi, I like this idea - I like writing and receiving xmas cards but now I send more than 100, many to people I never see and am no longer close to. If I only sent cards to close family and friends this would reduce the amount by more than a half. Not only is it a time thing but also a waste of paper and resources.

I would be quite happy if these "acquaintances" stopped sending me cards as well, knowing that it is reducing the paper wastage even more.


Can anyone help me with the wording ? Just to explain that I will still think of them at xmas and will also be helping the planet. Something along those lines, don't want to upset anyone!

babelfish

Hi, Plumduff. I think you should just put a cheery note saying that you are trying to be as green as possible and so, instead of writing millions of cards you are going to stop sending them and donate to charity instead. Just say you hope they don't mind and that they are not to think you care less about them. Just say that you will still be thinking about them a lot.

I think something like this might be the thing to put:

I hope you and your family are fine. I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

From next Christmas I won't be sending any more Christmas cards as I am trying to be as green as possible by recycling etc. Please remember that I will still be thinking of you and wishing you well even though you don't receive a card. I am giving money to charity at Christmas instead of this and hope that others will do the same instead of sending me a card.

Best wishes and lots of love,......

Please let me know if you think this comes over wrong and alter any of it if you can think of a better way to put it! I showed it to my daughter and asked what she would think if she received it and she said sarcastically "huh! Happy Christmas to you as well!"