Christmas Cards

We have a long-established list and it doesn't change much. I don't leave people off if I haven't had a card last time, but I might think twice if a couple of years had gone by ...

I will endeavour to get mine done early this year to take advantage of second class postage. (I promise myself that I will manage this every year and never seem to mind you...)

I do love to receive cards and enjoy seeing them up on display.

I've had to get ahead of the game this year as a new DGS is due end of Nov so will be preoccupied. For a few years I've sent ecards to acquaintances and folks abroad-saved a fortune! Hoping church will have one big card to be signed and money saved donated to a good cause so number of cards we send are down a lot, thank goodness. I know what you mean, Imperfect, they are cheerful at such a dark time of year but all that waste! Bonkers IMHO! Lol (ducks down behind sofa)

I start early and use second class post. there is a scheme in this small town where the Scouts hand deliver Xmas cards locally for a fee. I have only a few to send so I do- I think people still like receiving a card in the post and there are so many charity cards available its another way of giving.

I am always doing my at the last minute but have to get into gear early this year with family visiting from 15th. I used to make them but don't have the enthusiasm these days.

I love choosing Christmas cards and love receiving them, so I don't cut down as an economy. When we were children my elder sister and I used to play endless games with them after they were taken down, and I still use rectangular ones as book marks.

I don't find Christmas cards to be that expensive, so you wouldn't really save much by not sending them. I'm always afraid I'll huff someone anyway if I don't send them so just keep up the tradition.

Do check to see if there is a postal and business services shop near you as they only charge 51p instead of the normal 56p for second class mail. The only difference is that the envelope will be franked by machine instead of having a stamp on it. I only discovered this last week when passing this shop in the local high street. From their website they have stores in Bromsgrove, Chester, Hoddeson, King's Hill, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Wigston and north Finchley. They use Royal Mail as one of their delivery services. I will definitely be using them for our cards this year, as we send quite a lot, though hand-deliver where possible.

I post about 30 Smithy so the cost of the cards is fine but as the stamps go ever upwards am tempted to not send as many.
Does anyone send a card to somebody who they never hear from the rest of the year, and have no intention of ever going to visit? Is it hypocracy to keep up with cards in that case??
I have about 8 in that category!
Still, only about a fiver I suppose.

I hand deliver a lot of (other cards) as most friends and family live locally.

Thinking about it, that means writing about fifty cards ( no wonder I always put it off.)

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I handmake mine every year just done 50 and will be sending the overseas ones very soon and the rest a bit later The postage is exhobident

I have made arrangements with 3 people that we do not exchange cards this year- we are forever emailing each other. I had lunch out with another friend yesterday but she said that she will still send me a card.

I agree, it is the postage which is exorbitant, especially for cards going overseas and to Ireland. I also write the equivalent of a letter inside so that friends know what I have been up to- this takes time.

I make a few for people I know will appreciate them, buy a pack from supermarket for others. I have gradually cut my list right down over the last couple of years, now only post 4 or 5 and hand deliver the rest.
A crafting friend who makes all hers said she'd completed them and had the "to post" ones ready, went to buy the stamps and send the overseas ones. Came out of the post office £72 lighter!!

£72 !?

That sounds a great idea Teetime. I try to deliver local cards when I'm walking the dogs. I'm talking to myself about getting organised and posting early

I have written most of mine now. 15 more to do this afternoon. I have never written cards in November before and I am so pleased to have done it early over several days. Retirement has given me lots more time!

I gritted my teeth and bought several books of 2nd class stamps the other day - that, plus posting two very light parcels overseas, came to nearly £70.

Love cards so buy the expensive paper to send them. May stop one day, not yet though.

I like sending cards and it's not so expensive in the great scheme of things. I also think it's a good way of supporting your favoured charity.

As a child I had three aunts who never wrote in their cards but put a slip of paper inside them with their greeting on. The same cards went round and round for years. Have thought of doing it myself! I enjoy receiving cards, they brighten things up, so will continue sending them but I do hand deliver wherever possible.

I try and suit the card to the person for Christmas, children like robins, glitter and Santa, I know quite a few who like cats in the snow on cards, and of course for Christian friends, Nativity scenes.I also have a few atheist friends so try and send cards with holly/ jolly scenes on
I am an equal opportunities card sender.

Christmas seemed a long way off when the first post appeared - not so distant now. Must get them written. I suppose the cost of stamps can be exorbitant if you have a lot, but it's only once a year. Its been a gloomy time it will lighten things up getting lovely cards sent with good wishes.

I love cards from my nearest and dearest and, I always take time when buying for them. Its the other ones I've got a bit fed up with,
like someone you worked with 20 years ago but haven't seen or spoken to them since (doesn't that sound terribly ungrateful). A couple of years ago I decided I wouldn't send mine out first, instead I would wait till I received one and then send them one by return. Its cut my list down by more than half. I think some friends were probably as grateful as me