Impersonal Christmas cards

PS: for those who are happy to receive an e-card (some friends prefer it) I use DontSendMeACard, where you can donate to a chosen charity.

I love hand writing Xmas cards, but each year the arthritis makes it more difficult. I take over half the dining table, and do a few each day. DH is no better. We have taken to writing condolence letters on the computer, with an apology - saying that we would rather the recipient be able to read them than struggle with our writing (I used to be proud of mine, but it is getting harder to do)
And yes, I would rather receive a printed card (although I haven't so far) than none at all. I am grateful for the suggestions here and will look at them for next year.

As someone who struggles to write due to a repetitive strain injury I can just about manage a short greeting and to sign my cards. Address labels are absolutely imperative, couldn't do it otherwise.

I agree with Summerlove.
It`s the thought that counts.

Getting a card, whether pre-printed or otherwise IS a personal touch. And why judge people who don't have the time or inclination to handwrite? Be happy that someone still has you in their thoughts.

Considering the cost of posting a card, these days, I’m gratified to receive any. None have been printed, but it wouldn’t bother me if they were. I have posted a lot that I would normally have hand-delivered, this year, and also been saddened by the list being decimated by the death of so many who were on last year’s list, including a friend’s husband who has just died suddenly and unexpectedly, and only in his 60s.

Btw, if you use a lot of stamps it may be worth your while to stock up. Postage prices are going up in the New Year. First class, in particular, by quite a lot. Posting things abroad is becoming appallingly expensive.

I do not buy cards with Merry Christmas greeting as some of my friends have lost love ones.

Oh goodness - how to turn a nice thing nasty. Somebody remembers you and wishes you well at Christmas - be happy.

Wish I knew how to print address labels!! They have thought of you, isn't that what counts?

Lucca

Two threads about Christmas cards?

Incredible. Wonder how many will read the thread before commenting.

Printed labels make it easier for the sorting office especially if writing is untidy. Also database serves as a personal card list, easy enough to be altered (used to be because of divorce, now sadly more likely be death).
Inside much nicer if hand written with a personal messsge in my opinion, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Nice to give and nice to receive whichever way.

I never knew that one would be judged as inferior for not handwriting cards or labels on cards. How ridiculous to be so judgemental! Someone bothered to send greetings and they are rejected because they don’t conform to the receivers idea of how a card should be addressed.
What an earth would they think of me as I gave up cards because of arthritis , cost and bother. I told everyone by email or messenger in November . I’m totally stunned that anyone would think like this.

I agree with you dhalia and with you kwest.

Very inward thinking Dahlia!

What about us who have been unable to get out much due to Covid? Or those of us who have chronic arthritis and hands that spasm when using a pen? And those of us that have cataracts and when trying to write with arthritic paws become cross-eyed?

Also, how else can I send almost 100 cards to all the people I know and love?

I am bored with the whole Christmas card thing. It is a pain to sort out every year and there will always be someone that you forgot to send a card to. I am doing it as normal this year but not enjoying it.

I always write them by hand & try to find a short message too. I only send to people I like so it is no hardship to spend a couple of moments extra.

Nowadays many people are more used to printed than handwritten material. Some people may also have illegible writing or have difficulty writing. Don't take it as a slight, just accept that you were in their thoughts and they took the time to send a card. The chances are they sent printed versions to everyone from the nearest and dearest to most distant acquaintances on their list.

I agree with you dahlia. I don't mind printed adress labels on envelopes but I much prefer to have a handwritten message inside the card. I always handwrite mine (whether I buy them or make them) with a fountain pen and various colours of ink. I write the envelopes too, but I print 'sender' labels for the backs of the envelopes, just name and postcode. Our postman told me that any unreadable card, letter or small package without a sender/return address on it is simply destroyed because they don't have the time to deal with them. My son sometimes sends me Moonpig cards when he's remembered at the last minute. It's nice that he's taken the trouble to do that but I don't like the cards, and they're very expensive for what they are. I do send e-cards to one friend because they can't go to shops and spend a lot of time on their computer. My favourite website being Jacqui Lawson. It's sad to see the the tradition of sending paper greetings disappearing together with the decline in handwriting.

Furthermore I have used TouchNote for all my overseas cards this year. You can use a “normal” Christmas card or personalise with photos. And they post around the world at no extra charge, so delivery times are often shorter too. And having seen our local post office queue snaking down the high street I am so glad I did it that way. ?

I'd never heard of getting someone like Moonpig to send cards for me! A good idea for people who might struggle for any one of a long list of reasons to write and send cards themselves. I do write both the addresss and messages inside the cards - haven't worked out how to get my computer to print addresses, but this thread inspires me to try to do this for next year.

I'd just be glad that they actually bothered to send one at all!
The whys, hows, wording, printed or handwritten don't matter this year. The fact that they obviously took the time , if only to sit at a computer, to choose a card and the wording, means something.
I really can't believe how nit picking some people on GN are !

The important thing is that have received cards from these people. I find that addresses are particularly laborious to write so I have printed labels from my computer.

I write sll my cards by hand.... l like to add a personal note. But mass card sending with printed messages and labels seems to be the future. ?

for goodness sake, what is wrong with people, yesterday someone complaining that people were not sending them personal cards, only cards from a box of cards that they would send to anyone. now complaints that the cards were printed inside, not hand written. Those cards, if they come from a company like moonpig etc are more expensive than buying a card in the shop.
I am housebound/disabled and send all my cards this way, birthday and christmas. It can take a while as you need to search through all the hundreds of cards on the site, find one you like then personalise it, or write messages inside.
I don't care where the card comes from, online site or out of a 50 cards for 99p box. the person sending has thought about me and has sent a card.

I send Christmas cards to say 'Hi' to friends and let them know I am thinking of them. We may not have spoken for years but I still consider them part of my inner circle. I hope they send me cards for the same reason. I would hate it to be a case of "she sent us a card so we must send her one". To have made the effort, no matter what form it comes in, gives me a warm feeling. Everyone has their own way of doing things.