topic Re: Do you send Christmas cards? in Off-Topic

Do you send Christmas cards?

Marjo — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 11:48:30 GMT

Hey guys,

It's that time of year again when a huge amount of Christmas cards are being sent all over the world!

I happened to do a search with "seasonal greeting card statistics" and found some interesting facts:

The commercial Christmas card was invented in 1846 by Sir Henry Cole, the chief organiser of the Great Exhibition, pioneer of the penny post and founder of the V&A Museum.
One of Sir Henry’s first Christmas cards, sent to his Grandmother was recently sold at auction for £22,500.
Last year, nearly 100 million single Christmas cards were sold in the UK.
The vast majority of greeting cards are still bought in bricks and mortar stores, rather than online.
Charities estimate that £50m is raised for good causes through the sales of charity Christmas cards each year.
Greeting card making is also the number one craft hobby!

If you want to read more interesting facts about the greeting card industry, check here.

Do you send Christmas cards? In what format do you prefer to send/receive, paper cards via post or electronically via email? Or an image and greeting via WhatsApp perhaps? Do you make them yourself or buy?

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

Cleoriff — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 11:59:47 GMT

Yes I send them @Marjo

We have family and friends all over the world and it's a nice way of catching up by enclosing a newsy letter.

I have cut down on the amount we send. It is expensive, though I do enjoy sending them...

I don't make them myself, though I have a friend who does. She recycles her cards and cuts out parts she likes, using plain cards, she then adds her recycled parts and builds up her cards using glue. glitter and bows etc.

I have to save my cards each year for her to use.

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

jonsie — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 12:02:31 GMT

I only buy cards for my sons and grandsons so no postage, just had them over when I see them.

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

TallTrees — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 12:12:04 GMT

Hi @Marjo

I send very few perhaps 2 to long time friends just to wish them well, hence the very very old xmas stamps I mentioned earlier in Post office christmas stamps blog on O2 and they will be pressed into service this year!

I do buy cards but a box lasts years! I walk to my neighbours of many years, to give them a good wish and a card. These cards are not expensive they are animal themed and are charity cards.

I do not get stressed over Christmas at all (see Martins blog about stress!!) I know my neighbours even

at 80 years get over-come stressed-out really silly! However whatever switches you on?

Best wishes TallTrees

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 12:55:57 GMT

No I do not!

What a waste of money, & an even bigger waste of the world's resources.

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

pgn — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 12:56:48 GMT

This is the time of the year when a few good photos are sought out, printed, glued ito a suitable blank calendar for the next year (available from many good stationery outlets) and sent to appreciative family members dotted around the country or elsewhere in the world.

Cards, well, some for neighbours, good to post these in person through people's doors, but time and space to make a short summary of things good or things bad, pop this into a card, address it, stamp it and post it does tend to fall by the wayside - it used to be a tradition in our house.

These last few years, it as been an e-mailed letter, due to the last posting dates being closer to November thant to Christmas these days.

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

MI5 — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 13:10:00 GMT

No, I don't send any at all, Christmas, birthdays, Easter etc, nothing.
Waste of money for a piece of card that sits on the fireplace for a week then goes in the bin!

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 17:25:17 GMT

Yes, I usually do by post or hand delivered ... however this year I just can't be bothered *Bah Humbug*

I shall make an effort with a few old friends & some others will receive an email Christmas picture

it should be a joy to remember friends & family whilst writing their cards, but it just isn't with me this year ... so ... I've made a special donation to Cats Protection League, which I support regularly anyway

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

ComaChameleon — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 22:47:11 GMT

I do... But it's not common here. I love getting post which isn't a bill or adverts.

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

dgilbert2 — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 20:19:46 GMT

Yes, most definitely we still honour the Christmas card tradition. Getting viewer though, too many funerals this year for us

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

EmilieT — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:42:26 GMT

@Cleoriff

You friend sounds really crafty! Does she make it for fun or is it part of her job to create those cards? Either way, I'd love to see a few things she's created before, you've intrigued me

@jonsie

Most of the cards I give are also in person, except for one I send to France each year. It's a nice accompaniement to a little wrapped present

@TallTrees

Christmas shouldn't be a source of stress I completely agree with you. It should all be about having a good time after a long year I really liked animal themed cards as well ... I can't resist a penguin! Do you have any favourites you look out for when you pick cards?

@Anonymous & @MI5

Fair enough, it's not for everyone! Do you not like receiving them either then?

@pgn

Do you always make your own cards or e-cards from family photos then? That's a very personal touch, I've not had the chance to do something like that yet but it seems very fitting to the season!

@Anonymous

What a lovely gesture A lot of charities also have cards, maybe you could get some from one close to your heart for your closest friends/family you do want to send a card to?

@ComaChameleon

It's definitely more common and expected in the UK than in France as well, I find, but it's such a pleasure to receive more than bills and ads via mail as you said

@dgilbert2

It can be bittersweet but I hope you have fun writing and sending those cards to your friends and family members this year, and sorry to hear about your losses

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

TallTrees — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:53:18 GMT

Hi @EmilieT

This is one of the cards I bought last year ready to go

Sleepy owls !!

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

jonsie — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:58:36 GMT

Expecting snow at Christmas here if the local weather girl is to be believed....

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

dgilbert2 — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 20:10:09 GMT

@EmilieT wrote:

@dgilbert2
It can be bittersweet but I hope you have fun writing and sending those cards to your friends and family members this year, and sorry to hear about your losses

Thank you for your kind words

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

EmilieT — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 09:43:17 GMT

@TallTrees

Lovely card, I like the little owls! To stay in the animal-them, here are the ones I got last year:

@jonsie

You'll have to make sure you're all stocked up before hand!

@dgilbert2

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

TallTrees — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:16:12 GMT

Hi @EmilieT

Those cards are really lovely! I like the Red Squirrel particularly

(there is a colony of Red Squirrels on Brownsea Island in Dorset, looked

after by Dorset Wildlife) and the penguins are great.

This is another card part of a set I bought last year still with

the Owl theme.....we have owls in the garden hunting at night

and a Blackbird card too.

I love to hear the owls Twit Woo

Happy days

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

dgilbert2 — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 19:11:33 GMT

I love the snowy cards with a Robin and a village with all the Christmas lights. arrrr....

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

TallTrees — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 20:06:51 GMT

@dgilbert2 wrote:
I love the snowy cards with a Robin and a village with all the Christmas lights. arrrr....

So do I ~

I don't like real snow though!

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

dgilbert2 — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 20:12:57 GMT

LOL @TallTrees I see from your Christmas posts that you prefer it when its all over

I'm not into the stress of it all either though

Re: Do you send Christmas cards?

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:09:16 GMT

From me to you.

savour it, cos it's the only one you'll ever get from me! (Tick your own)