Christmas cards...the lack thereof

firebubble

Every year, when I take my cards down after Christmas, I take out my recipient list, and tick off who sent me a card. If I notice I haven't received a card for two years in a row, I take them off my list - they can always go back on it if they start sending cards again, but I find this means that I'm not sending loads of cards to people who don't bother for whatever reason. I've done this for years, as cards and stamps aren't cheap!

Looking at last year's list though, the numbers seem to have collapsed, and only around half of the people on my list sent me a card.

I wondered if anyone has noticed a big drop from last year as well? Is the expense, and environmental concerns making increasing numbers of people stop entirely?

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

kazwookie

I stopped doing cards about 4 years ago..................


You send me one, I'll send you one, I never heard from most folk for years, no one seems to mind.


The grand kids do a get card each, so does OH.

dreaming

I pretty much only send cards to those friends and relatives I don't see regularly. Those I do see regularly get my good wishes in person. I belong to a club where it seems that everyone sends a card to everyone else and it reminds me a bit of being back at school. I do find in those cases it becomes a chore instead of a pleasure.

pickledonionspaceraider

I think sending Christmas cards, seems to be a dying tradition.

I remember maybe ten years ago, there would be scores of them, all strung around the lounge- but if I get six, these days, I would be surprised

The environment is a huge concern these days - a few days after xmas they all end up in the bin so it is a waste of resource and money

Not really worth the hassle as above it feels a chore - life is busy enough these days without these tit for tat exchanges

euronorris

I probably do less than 24 in total. Not all of those are sent. Some are just handed over when we see them. The majority are to older relatives who would be greatly offended if we didn't send one (like my Mother, for example).


I don't much see the point in them to be honest. We have text messages, emails, whatsapp, facebook and phone calls available in order to wish someone a merry Christmas. Cards seem rather redundant in my opinion.

trailingspouse

I've severely pruned my list for this year. I think I'll only be sending about 10. It's partly because I'm economising, and partly because I don't like the idea of wasting all that card.


I send greetings via social media.

Mr_Singleton

Can't say I'll be too unhappy at seeing this tradition dying out.

Seeing boxes of 99p for 50 christmas cards stacked almost to the ceiling in shops is rather revolting. It's not just from an environmental perspective but also what does it say about the sender and more importantly what they think of the recipient?

I shall be sending 8 Christmas cards in about 2 weeks to the people who have meaning in my life. They all came from The Conran Shop and each will have a personalised hand written note in them. They will also be sent 1st Class.

firebubble

Thanks all, it seems we are of the same view that it's a chore!

I mainly send to my old relatives, but the rest of the list I try and prune as much as I can, and breathed a sigh of relief in some cases where I haven't received a card from someone I haven't seen for years but we have dutifully exchanged cards each year promising that we should meet up....

Glad its also died out in offices (thankfully) where it used to be like school in that if you didn't send a card to everyone (that you saw every day anyway) it would be seen as a slight.

I shall if my list reduces even more this year!

PasturesNew

I like receiving them. Hate sending them

Some people are just not card givers.....

tessie_bear

i have picked up cards very cheap but stamps flippin heck they are pricey...i have reduced what i send due to cost of postage

[Deleted User]

the very few I do send go to folk I can't reach easily .my nephews in Oxfordshire and Lancashire and nieces in Cork and Mexico. I told most of my immediate family that I donate to the Sally army as its my chosen charity as they do so much good and help for homeless, and those without friends or relations who care about them.This to me is more important than me giving a piece of cardboard to folk whom I see and talk to and tell how much I love them almost daily.My eldest grandson Danny lives in Manhattan, but my eldest DD is going out to visit him before Christmas so will take presents for him and his wife with her .She will also take two cards ,one for Christmas and one for their third wedding anniversary which is on Christmas Eve. apart from that the Sally Army will get a decent donation which I hope will put a little bit of cheer into someones life this Christmas.

My DGD gets far too many things,biscuits, chocolates etc from her class at school, which she says she wishes the children didn't do.Unfortunately it's normally the Mums who buy the stuff, so she makes a point of thanking them for the gifts ,but the majority go to the local Sally Army citadel on Christmas morning before lunch.They are always very happy to receive them and use them to help brighten up someones day. My DGD is not particularly religious, but like me she thinks there are so many folk who aren't perhaps as lucky with family as we are so we like to spread a little happiness if we can.

JackieO xx