Why waste money on Christmas cards?
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
Greece
December 15, 2015 4:34am CST
Several years ago I stopped sending Christmas cards. I sent ecards to friends and family and I phoned people who were not on line and wished them a Happy Christmas. I saved a lot of money on postage that way as I live abroad from family and friends.
I did not expect people to continue to send me cards but they still come and I still feel a little guilty about it. I can understand that for people who are alone at Christmas a card tells them that they are remembered but for many people I think stringing out the cards is a way of showing off how many friends they have. Is there a touch of Scrooge in me?
34 people like this
45 responses
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
15 Dec 15
Since, there is some electronic tools to send a greeting, I never send a card to say Happy Christmas or some other celebration. I just send a message through hand phone, facebook or phone them. It is more simple and need lees money.
4 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
It is quicker too, you don't have to get caught in the Christmas post.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
I'm sure hearing your voice means more to your family and friends than reading a short note in a card.
1 person likes this
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
15 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad Yes, you are right. The best way to say a greeting in the great day is calling by phone if we can't visit them...
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I have not sent out Christmas cards in years. The money they just isn't worth it. I don't think it a touch of Scrooge but common sense because the cards and mailing them have become costly.
3 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
Postage costs are certainly a deterrent these days. If I sent cards almost all would be international charges.
2 people like this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
15 Dec 15
I agree with you. It is a matter of common sense
2 people like this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
17 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad That could run into some real money than. It is just easy and cost less to send an ecard or make a call.
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
15 Dec 15
Now a days we neither receive greeting cards nor do we send it to others on the occasion of festivals or new year, it has become a passe. Now people use their smartphones to send messages, picture messages and videos to convey their wishes to each other.
I think there is no need to feel guilty if you are not in favour of sending cards. However, those who send you card, you could convey your thanks to them as and when possible.
3 people like this
@rebelann (112878)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Dec 15
I don't like supporting the commercialization of Christmas either so I pretty much do what you do, I either call or visit family and close friends and the rest get an email. I suppose if I were showing off I could prove I have at least 3 friends 
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
15 Dec 15
Our family gathering is this weekend. I hand out cards at the party. Cheap, yes, but everyone else does the same so I don't feel bad.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
15 Dec 15
I stopped cards 5 years ago and every time I receive one, I feel bad about it. Partly because I don't send and mostly because I think that they are SUCH a waste of money and I hate putting them into the recycling bin. Most years I don't even display them.
3 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
I know exactly how you feel. I display mine for a few days but mostly just those of my closest family since I have very little space to spread out cards.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I will send a card to anyone that sends us one first. Years ago I mailed out almost 100 cards. Back in the "day" it was affordable. We did receive just as many if not more in return. Sadly that is no longer the case. I have one lonely card that a dear friend sent to me. She hand stamps all of her cards. They truly are beautiful.
When I receive a card that is worthy of saving I use the cover or verse in my decorations throughout the house. Others get recycled.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
16 Dec 15
I give cards to my family that I don't see often at the family Christmas dinner. I mail one or two cards to family that live out of state and of course there are emails, fb posts and text messages for the rest of the family and friends.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112878)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jun 19
I prefer to give a call and say it rather than support those card companies.
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Dec 15
I don't send them otu eithe, at least only a very few. I did send one to my niece in Alaska, as she sent me one last year, and wanted to send me one this year, so I also sent her one. I also sent one to my daughter with a figt card in it I don't like sending them as I used to either because of the postage, as it just keeps going higher and higher, and gets harder every year. I have never sent ecards at Christmas, but that certainly would be a good idea. It certainly wouldn't cost as much that is for sure.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
15 Dec 15
Lots of trees get cut when we use up a lot of paper, although i don't mind receiving cards and i appreciate the thought, it has never been my practice to give cards, i'd give out practical gifts instead or a little cash ( as the practice is in my country).Cards are a thing of the the past, made before emails text messages etc... I love, keep and collect cards made from recycled materials and those personally made or hand drawn like what my kids give me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec 15
We have a lot of older friends, some in quite isolated places and without access to internet. I could ring them I guess but that might be expensive too. I'm not sure what our phone charges are. I don't want to lose touch with these people completely so I continue to send cards, sometimes with letters.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
Our phone charges are part of the deal so we can phone England or the States or anywhere in Europe for no extra charge. It works very well for us as we need to keep in touch with family in England.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad That would make life a lot easier for you I'm sure. Are you able to Skype them too?
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (1784)
• United Kingdom
15 Dec 15
I do send e cards but also send proper cards too.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
19 Jan 16
I agree that cards are expensive (unless you go to the dollar store). I still enjoy sending them out, because like you say, sometimes a small hand-written card can have a huge effect on people - can brighten their days, especially if they are lonely. I don't feel particularly lonely, but I do brighten any type I receive a hand-written note or card from someone. It's the thought, you know?
@OreoBrownie (3755)
• Commerce, Georgia
16 Dec 15
I don't send cards but I still get them. I can't get out to buy them and I just don't see any benefit. It's nice to be remembered but we do that daily anyway.
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I love to send cards, but I don't send to people who don't send me one. I have mine down to manageable list and most of them are old friends from the 70's...
1 person likes this
