Cards and 75p 2nd class stamps

75 p doesn't buy much these days. For me its worth it to make someone smile. Having said that I have cut some people out of my list but some friends and relatives are still worth 75p

I only write a handful of cards these days, only 2 of which need posting.

Round my way (and I presume all over the country) the Royal Mail have told their staff to prioritise parcels so we are only getting letters a few times a week. The Royal Mail is short staffed apparently. This makes me cross considering the price of stamps.

Ive never sent christmas cards since 1979.

I buy a small book of second class stamps occasionally throughout the year with my shopping to spread the cost of Christmas. My card 'list' has shortened over the past three years as I gradually cut the number of 'duty' cards sent. Now the number has reduced quite drastically it has become more enjoyable writing cards to the people I want to send to.

Please don't buy 'cut price' stamps on eBay etc. I had a Royal Mail card through the door asking me to collect something from the sorting office. I had to pay a staggering £5 and it was a Christmas card with a counterfeit stamp on it. The man said they are getting a lot of them. Is it fair to punish the recipient? I buy all my stamps from the village post office. The very festive greeting fell somewhat flat! If asked I would have given details of the sender so they could be asked where the stamp came from.

Postage is now disproportionate and - sad to say - although I usually pick out charity cards to send, I'm afraid the Captain Sir Tom Foundation debacle makes me a wee bit cynical these days. I often wonder "what percentage does the charity direct to those they claim to support ?"

Our local post is short staffed, and the postmen have to double up on rounds, which is why we don’t seem to get post as often,

The junk Mail seems to keep coming though!

The post is such a rip off. I posted an envelope first class on a Monday to someone just 20 miles away. That was £1.25. It finally arrived 6 days later!!!

I did read the other day that Royal Mail have been fined about £5 million for poor delivery service. We have also noticed the postmen seem to hang onto post for several days then deliver a whole load together which really isn’t on.

I’ve got cards left over from last year too. I’ll post some, but a lot will be hand-delivered, between now and the day, as and when we meet up, or I drive near their homes.
I often add a book of stamps to shopping, so I’m not caught out by a hefty charge at the PO.
When I post my cards to Cheshire, I’ll ask my SinL to dish the enclosed cards out to her sons, etc.

Our local Scout groups offer a local delivery service. Stamps can be bought in most of the shops around here and cost 50p. It's very reliable and covers a wide area. I remember "shadowing" my DGS when he did it for the first time when he was eleven years old as "anxious granny" thought he might need help but of course he didn't!!!

merlotgran, my Dbro and SiL stopped sending cards quite a few years ago, saying they were donating to charity, instead. I know they do actually do this, but I’m quite sure another reason was that they just couldn’t be bothered any more. Admittedly the writing of them can feel like quite a chore - dh hates doing the few he has to do.
They never had children and are very comfortably off, so I know it’s not a question of the cost.

Yes some are too nice to throw away or use as shopping lists, recycle etc.

I’m off to the Cancer Research charity shop later. My stepfather has asked me to buy him 2 boxes and I will buy 2 boxes. Some will be handed out, or popped locally in letterboxes. 75p is expensive but as the people we send cards to are not recipients of Christmas gifts from us, I feel the overall expense is worth it for the ‘feel good’ inclusivity it generates.

Romola and Cabbie21 💐💐

I had a particularly lovely one from my cousin one year HelterSkelter that I framed it and use as a Christmas decoration 😃

I will still keep sending cards this year as there are so many people I'm still in touch with even though they've moved away. I enjoy putting up the cards each year but whether we'll get many this time I'll have to wait and see. I've reduced presents this year except for the little people.

I used to laugh at my mother who saved cards year on year. Well Mum I'm not laughing now as I saved some lovely ones from the last couple of years. So I will put those up to enjoy as I am sure lots of people will be put off by the price of postage.

As am I now.

Have just made my Christmas puddings and put one to cook in the slow cooker.

Then I am going to write on my Christmas cards.

Why does this activity fill me, not with dread, but certainly no pleasure in doing it, a chore nowadays. Sad, as I used to love writing on my cards.

Don’t send nearly as many as I used to, with ‘natural wastage’ and cut right down after leaving work.

Always give one to four girlfriends who we meet up with for a meal before Christmas. Last year one announced that she isn’t doing cards any more, two others agreed. In fact, one said she only sends to those who she receives from, which is probably why one from her appears through my front door on Christmas Eve, last minute Lil.

Well, another few to cross off the list.

Germanshepherdsmum

I enjoy sending and receiving cards. It’s the only time of year I’m in touch with some people to exchange news. I have never liked the email variety. It’s lovely to have a proper card to display.

I agree but 75p for a 2nd class stamp is over the top. We send about 40 cards.

I’ll send some but will be cutting back.

I will continue to send cards and have already bought charity ones, MrJ’s family are mainly in Ireland, a couple in England; my 90 year old uncle and my siblings.
Friends I’ll give to as we meet up and immediate family have personal cards, I like to hang the ones we receive up around the walls.

We've just ordered 60 charity cards. Some will be for friends and family and will be given to them at some time prior to Christmas. Some will be delivered by the scouts in the village and about half will be posted.

As well as the joy of sending and receiving cards, we have provided funds for a charity and the village scouts, employment for the people making the cards and continued a tradition.

I think we have to move with the times. Even though I make cards myself, I now send e cards to folk that don’t live nearby.

I would be grateful of an e card or whats app message.

It’s the thought that counts.

Many moons ago my mother was dying, so sending cards was the last thing on my mind. Then the following year I noticed that I was receiving far fewer cards, and this made me realise that there were a lot of folk who wouldn’t send if they don’t get one back, so I didn’t send any again, and haven’t since. Friends who are far away always get a festive phone call.

I'm with the card-senders. Christmas wouldn't be the same without cards for me and I hope they never go completely. WhatsApp messages just are not the same!

Another card sender here, although numbers have dropped a little, we still get enough to cover most of the hall. I love the bundle of cards coming in on the days we get post in December, and send mine at the beginning of December to make sure they get to the recipients in time, our post is very unreliable. There are people who live far away that we still care about, and like to exchange news with.

If you don't want to send cards any more, that's fine, but I would rather not get the mass email 'we are giving to charity this year instead', not giving me any choice in the matter. I see cards as mini presents, chosen with care and with loving messages inside. I wouldn't say to someone 'I know I usually bring you flowers, but have decided to give the money to charity instead' it would imply I couldn't be bothered. But each to their own, it would be dreadful if we all thought the same!