Christmas Cards

We always send loads of cards. I already have this year’s in stock as I bought them in the January sales. We always send the local ones via Scout Post as this is a massive fundraiser for local Scouts. I don’t think they’ll be delivering this year if this crisis continues. We normally give out a lot of cards to work colleagues and folk in local groups we are involved in. Can’t see that happening this year. I think that also as so many folk have been isolated this year, they will enjoy receiving a card with a nice wee message, but please don’t feel pressurised to send them, especially with the soaring cost of stamps!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I gave up sending cards years ago, they are far too expensive here.

A single card costs just under £2 and then there is the postage to pay as well.

At Christmas I write at long chatty letter giving the main news of the year and send it as an e-mail. Birthday greetings likewise.

Everyone does that here, so no-one minds.

I gather e-mail Christmas letters are frowned on in the UK, perhaps I'm wrong?

Someone has to make a start.

I was brought up never to send cards from charities - it was fine to support charities, but not to boast about having done so.

Some friends started sending me Christmas greetings on their phones with a picture of pretty snowy scene instead of cards. I know not the same maybe as a hand written card, but still shows they are thinking about you. I know cards cheap enough, but stamps have got so expensive.

If you want to stop sending Christmas cards, I suggest send them this year with a little note inside to say why you are stopping sending them ... or ... you don’t have to give a reason ... just say you are stopping sending them at the Post Office’s expense.
I had an old friend who used to send to all and sundry which amounted to well over 100 cards! First week of January she started buying her Christmas card stamps ready for December. Bless her.

I have not sent cards for years now.all my friends and family Know that instead of posting Christmas cards I give a donation to Cancer Research, the Lifeboat and Alzheimers

I bought cards last year and never sent any, this year I have already started writing them.
Partly because of Covid and partly because I do not know yet if postage will go up in the new year.

I know the cost is a big factor for a lot of people in their decision not to send them any more, but the first two couples in our circle who stopped sending them and said they were donating to charity instead, truly have plenty of money (I do know this) so def. not a question of ££.

I dare say they just couldn’t be bothered any more - admittedly, writing a long list of cards can be a considerable chore - in which case IMO there would be absolutely nothing wrong with just admitting it.

There are a few cards on our list (mostly far-flung overseas ones) which dh does feel he needs to do himself - but it’s a major chore to him and he often puts it off for so long, it’s doubtful whether they will ever arrive in time. So I have every sympathy for anyone who CBA.

I usually try to get all mine written before 1st Dec and posted ASAP afterwards. (where’s the smug face emoji?)

i stopped sending cards years ago i now make a donation to charity(s) equivalent to what I would spend on cards stamps etc

I am another who sends Jacquie Lawson cards. They are beautiful and most are animated. Take a look at the website. You have to pay to join but it is is a small sum in relation to the cost of cards and stamps.
They cover many other dates too, such as birthdays, anniversaries, just thinking of you etc. I use them all the time.

I will be giving to a Local Dogs Home Charity which is desparate for funding.
The only cards I will give will be to my ACs and DGCs I can cut down on their cards by buying "To my Grandchildren" rather than individual ones.

Its easy, just stop. Dont send any. We havnt sent christmas cards for years. I message anyone i need to send christmas wishes to

I use ecards a lot. Jacquie lawson site is very good. You can even print out the message you get back from your friends.

I usually buy cards from the National Trust and/or the Scottish National Trust. So many charities need our support this year that is is difficult to choose. However, as I frequently leave it to the last minute, it might be a late dash to AgeUK just down the road.

Charities are struggling as it is this year so I will buy charity Christmas cards and give a donation too as there are no fundraisers happening.

I bought Christmas cards from RSPB this year because I got such pleasure from the birds in our garden this spring and summer throughout lockdown. Some built their nests and raised their chicks and we watched in admiration as they flew back and forth feeding their young. Never had the time to bird watch before. I send cards to people I care about whether or not they send to us. So, a bit of charity and a bit of love.

Don't feel guilty, we send them out of habit. I have pared down my list the last couple of years and only send them to people I don't see or speak to regularly. A cousin in another County, a couple of friends from school etc, who I don't want to lose touch with but xmas is the only time we 'catch up', so always include a little annual update. Don't see the point of sending cards to my dad, sister & friends who I see regularly to say 'Merry Christmas' when we probably speak or text the same on the day itself anyway! Break the habit, that's all it is.

I get an E-card every Christmas from a friend. They don't cost much and no postage charges. You have plenty of time before Christmas to look into the costings. That way you solve your problem

I send to those remaining elderly relatives and friends that send to us but not to my sons or younger members of the family as they tend not to display them in the way my mother and I in turn did. I would advocate making a card, maybe cross stitch or craft that can be kept and framed xxx

Certain elderly ladies that I know, who live alone, seem to measure their self-worth by the number of cards they receive for Christmas or birthdays. I would continue to send cards to these people and maybe agree with couples and families that cards will stop after this year,

* and of course, giving to charity is a great idea!?

We stopped sending Christmas cards a couple of years ago (except for dgc & parents) Instead we donate to charity, the first year we donated to Mind & last year Crisis which provided a meal & entertainment for a homeless person. I put a status on fb saying we would be doing this instead of cards & all reactions were positive, in fact last year when I said about Crisis a few friends also did the same.

I cut down a few years ago giving only to family and some close friends for the same reason.. This year I might just give to adult sons and their children. I don’t think people mind at all and younger people don’t seem to send many now anyway. For those you’re close to, you could text or email...email a photo...or find another way to say hello. I think they would love it. And this year especially, I think there are other things to worry about. I would bite the bullet...

Always buy charity cards, I'm always surprised that people don't, we get quite a lot of cards and like to reciprocate.

DH designs the card and I then send it out via email with all our news. Many of our friends do the same. Recipients get much more news than if it was a handwritten card and we also get lots of responses which never happened with actual cards. Works for us.