Do you send Christmas cards?

[Marjo]

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?

[Cleoriff]

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.

[jonsie]

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

[TallTrees]

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

[Anonymous]

No I do not! 

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

[pgn]

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.

[MI5]

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!

[Anonymous]

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 

[ComaChameleon]

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

[dgilbert2]

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