Christmas cards...the lack thereof

KxMx

VJsmum wrote: »

Just give them the money?

Very true, but I do like sending the cards as well

unrecordings

We've also dialled it back somewhat. Mainly the cost of postage these days, but my other bugbear is glitter, which I think is downright cruel when the recipient has a brain injury. As an aside, In the early days of ebay, I got a stash, from Russia, of used Soviet era cards. From a design perspective alone they're quite interesting and the better ones go up every other year or so. I did think about republishing some of them (digitally) but need to brush up on Soviet copyright law

Cyclamen

The cost of postage is making this hard for me this year.

I do love recieving cards and send cards and letters throughout the year just because. It feels more of a personal touch. I think it is more important to me as I am quite poorly and very limited in ability to go out so i feel quite isolated. I have lots of friends from my health community too.

This year I can't make the money stretch or my health for writing them (even though i would type on stickers) so have had to cut right back and am hating the necessity for most, but experiencing relief for others.

My older Aunt will get a card in post, my parents i usually post too will be given there's..i only post as they like the excitement of cards through the door as do I.

Neighbours.. i wave to all my neighbours, chat when I can .. it's just a small way of keeping human contact, and feeling friendship. It will be about 5 cards..and two of the local dog walkers who my husband chats too will get a card and dog biscuit.

I do try to choose the right cards rather than a meaningless box but again cost has squeezed me this year... last year we made our own.

I do think letters and cards are going out of fashion... but there are still many people out there who enjoy them..

Katiehound

KxMx wrote: »

I did seriously consider stopping this year, due to environmental concerns, but as I buy mine direct from the local Cats Protection I didn't want them to miss out on the money raised.

I suspect that Cats Protection actually get very little from the sale of the cards and a direct donation would benefit them much more.
(Yes, I used to buy charity cards but now I make the few I send /give and then make a donation to who-ever)

Katiehound

Cyclamen wrote: »

The cost of postage is making this hard for me this year.
.

Could you not phone these folk instead? That's what I now do- the people with whom I used to exchange cards now get one or two phone calls - which I know they appreciate.
Most phone plans have inclusive (free) calls

firebubble

It's a real shame - in many other countries, because they still have nationalised postal services, there is a special reduced price stamp for cards, because it was acknowledged that charity christmas cards made a substantial amount of income for charities.

Of course, in the UK because Royal Mail was getting ready to be sold off, they couldn't start anything like that because it would reduce the christmas revenue and therefore the valuation of Royal Mail as a company.

But karma and all that... a mix of environmental concerns and the sheer of cost cards and postage has meant that lots of people stopped sending cards entirely, which I don't think anyone anticipated. So instead of supporting charity cards and getting a reduced revenue, through sheer greed, Royal Mail will get nothing.

custardy

firebubble wrote: »

It's a real shame - in many other countries, because they still have nationalised postal services, there is a special reduced price stamp for cards, because it was acknowledged that charity christmas cards made a substantial amount of income for charities.

Of course, in the UK because Royal Mail was getting ready to be sold off, they couldn't start anything like that because it would reduce the christmas revenue and therefore the valuation of Royal Mail as a company.

But karma and all that... a mix of environmental concerns and the sheer of cost cards and postage has meant that lots of people stopped sending cards entirely, which I don't think anyone anticipated. So instead of supporting charity cards and getting a reduced revenue, through sheer greed, Royal Mail will get nothing.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Do you have a list of countries who offer such a service?
if you could see the manual sorting required for Christmas cards then you would baulk at the idea of reducing the postage costs.
top tips folks. learn to write addresses legibly and correctly. also dont use red envelopes. The machines struggle to read the addresses.
Also drop the fancy gold/silver ink

Primrose

We too keep a list but last year I did warn that this year we would only be sending cards to those without email. We received fewer cards last year.

I think it,s due to a combination of reasons such as the cost of postage these days , people are leading busier lives, the festival of Christmas has a less religious significance for a larger percentage of the population, and in our case, more of our older friends and acquaintances are sadly dying.

Mr_Singleton

firebubble wrote: »

It's a real shame - in many other countries, because they still have nationalised postal services, there is a special reduced price stamp for cards, because it was acknowledged that charity christmas cards made a substantial amount of income for charities.

Of course, in the UK because Royal Mail was getting ready to be sold off, they couldn't start anything like that because it would reduce the christmas revenue and therefore the valuation of Royal Mail as a company.

What total and utter rubbish!

I've sent many letters & postcards from Europe back to the UK and always noted how much more expensive it was than sending them to Europe from the UK. I will never forget being told that it was more than £10 to send 3 postcards from Copenhagen to the UK. Canada is another expensive place for international postage.

Royal Mail was floated like 5 years ago.

Mr_Singleton

KxMx wrote: »

I've reduced what I send. Most can be hand delivered or go local scout post (30p).

Now that sounds like a good money saving tip..... how do I avail myself of scout post? Have a letter here going from Central London to the outer Hebrides. If I send it tomorrow will the little blighter have it there by Saturday?