Christmas cards

I like sending and receiving cards. I think if people choose not to then it would not bother me in the slightest. However I suspect that the tradition will die out for reasons you suggest. I don't think that it's rude, especially as you have communicated with them.

I agree to some extent Thomas as we should all be trying to save the planet and the majority of Christmas cards are in the bin before new year.
However, although I have cut our list down significantly, I am very conscious of several people on my list who cherish a card that has been written by someone who cares enough to do so. This is the case especially with the elderly who do not use technology.
One lady in particular always gets my previously sent cards out and displays them each year, adding this years to her collection. It brings her joy re-reading them and having them displayed.
My suggestion would be that, if you know receiving a personal card means a lot to a particular person, then send them one. You would still be doing your bit but bringing happiness into someone's life as well.
Good luck and have a good Christmas yourself

Thomas67, you are not rude at all. You are a kind, thoughtful person to contact everyone and let them know.

Christmas cards harm the environment (even if recycled) involve unnecessary expense and labour as well. All the postage and delivery is a nightmare.

Whether you send them is optional and up to you. Instead, you're donating to charity, far more worthwhile - so ignore the two cross relatives!

I still send cards to certain people, but nowhere near as many as I used to. I cut down a few years ago, spoke to DH’s siblings, he has several, told them I would donate to charity instead, which I do. No one seemed bothered, they nearly all stopped sending to us, probably relieved to cut down also. The ones I still send are mainly to oldies, they will stop eventually due to ‘natural wastage’.
I use sent cards as shopping lists, to recycle the paper.
Postage is expensive, but keeps post people in a job.
Used to write lots of letters in with cards, some I now e Mail instead.
Card writing got to be a chore when I sent a lot, not so nowadays, but glad to get it done.

I will send some cards, I think it's a nice gesture for those I don't see often, and that doesn't preclude also giving a charity donation.

Many charities make money from their Christmas cards.

I have cut down on buying many presents apart from children and a few very close family and donate savings to charity.

I have signed up to a virtual card sending co. Jacquie Lawson.
There’s an annual one off fee, (£12 about the cost of 4 real cards) but loads of animated cards to send. It’s been a godsend when I’ve forgotten to send a birthday card, or sending cards abroad.
The recipients have usually been delighted.
Have a look for free, at the site. It’s American.

Oh I don’t think it is American is it?

Lurgashall is in West Sussex not far from me. It is aimed at the American market though.

Our local hospital has asked people to send a card with greetings, in envelope unsealed and posted in a further envelope to their communications team to be given out to patients who are in hospital at Christmas. I think that is a nice idea.

I have a very small list of cards I send; around a dozen. It's perhaps a dying tradition.

My sister in law makes her own cards and I look forward to receiving hers each year, and have kept all of them.

As I make my own cards for elderly friends, my contribution to charity would be paltry.

J52 Not American but very British, or actually, more English, as I see very little Scottish, Irish or Welsh content, a real pity when such rich heritages are largely ignored.

Yes, there are a lot of cards aimed at the American market but one must expand and make a profit I suppose.

I remember the very first card, with Pear Tree Cottage (allegedly Jacquie's own home) to click on and Chudleigh the dog at the gate.

I think I was hooked from then on {smile] I still think it's the best card they have ever done.

My OH does the cards; if left to me it would not get done. I dislike the idea that you work from a list and are on someone else's list - if you follow. All very contrived. If I open a card and out falls a "round robin" letter telling me how wonderful all their family is and how brilliant life is for them, it goes straight to bin. It really irritates me to see a typed letter with my name scribbled on top! All people are saying is look at me and mine.

I will be sending e-cards and emails to friends and relatives to let them know that this year I'll donate the cost of cards and postage to the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of my dear sister who died in August.
As for giving cards to people you see every week or even every day, a lot of us in our NWR group decided it was time to put an end to this custom - after all, we're having a Christmas dinner together and a party the following week!

We are allowed some pleasures in life even though they could be considered extravagent and wasteful. I love sending Christmas cards and receiving them, being in contact with people I only see rarely but still like to keep in my life and acknowledging those in my life whose company I treasure.

If others do not wish to send them that is fine by me, but not sending cards is not a morally superior action

I haven't sent them for years, and I always ask people not to send them to me.

Yes JLawson is English ? I think my brain meant to say American content.

Thanks for making it clear .

I agree with MOnica. Stamps are very expensive but I enjoy sending and receiving cards.

I'm completely with Monica, it is a way of telling people that I care about them and are thinking about them, I don't know the emails of many of them. When their cards drop into the post box I get a real thrill from opening each one, and they form part of my Christmas decorations. They are recycled, I am not damaging the planet, and I am keeping the postman employed!

I do resent the odd email saying 'we are not sending cards this year (ie for evermore) and are giving the money to charity'. I give what I can afford to charity each year, and I really don't want someone giving to a charity I might not support on my behalf! I do wonder if for some people this isn't just an excuse to save money, do they really calculate the cost of a card and stamp for everyone, plus petrol for car or bus to go and buy the stamps?

Yes I agree with MOnica &Greenfinch I love to give and receive cards, my family has largely given up on cards but send one to me because they know I enjoy them.

Most likely they don’t want to be bothered any more but don’t want to offend. Some possibly have painful joints that make writing difficult.

I like sending and receiving cards and especially the updates from friends. I obviously move in different circles and most friends mention the ups and downs of their year. Some I only hear from at Christmas but still care about them and make contact if they seem sad or down hearted.

Seems a bit sad to shut out the rest of the world and concentrate purely on your immediate family. Then people say how selfish the world is becoming.

I send a few cards. I don't see it as being particularly wasteful.

I have a elderly neighbour who adores getting cards.

They brighten her day and give her great pleasure.

I think a lot of people are sad about the demise of the Christmas Card.

I do send cards but only to those people that I think want them. I suppose it’s about twenty.
My cards are as eco friendly as possible, never glitter etc.

I send a card to anyone I know that I won’t be seeing to give a Christmas hug to.
?

We still send cards but not as many as years ago.My husband wrote all his cards before his surgery as he knew he wouldn’t be able to write for a while.My sister in law hasn’t sent cards for years but always says how much she loves receiving them??

Oh how I hate getting e-cards . I do not know what it is about them but I refuse to read them . I feel they are a bit like getting an evening invite to a wedding but not the full works. I sent out a little letter many years ago with our cards saying we were cuttung down on cards but if they wanted to keep in touch here is our telephone number and e-mail address . This year I am determined to send none. All the households in our little cul-de-sac exchange cards and it is plain daft. Sorry if you send e-cards and like them but that is my view.