I’m Done with Christmas Cards, I Think

After a few years of going back and forth, I think I’m finally crossing ‘create and mail Christmas cards’ off my holiday task list for good. Last year, I came super-dooper close, but if you remember I did a Facebook vote (you can find the blog post here) and 62% of you still mailed out cards. So, I was guilted into doing it for another year.

Well, this year… I’m finally pulling the plug.

Here are my reasons:

  • There is so much waste involved. To pay the money for the cards, the envelopes and the postage only for someone to look at the paper for a moment, *maybe* stick it on their fridge for a week or two, and then throw it out is crazy. It’s a waste of paper, a waste of money, and a waste of time.
  • Speaking of time: I don’t have the time (or frankly, feel like spending the time) to find the photos, lay out the cards, get them printed, address them, stamp them, and send them. This isn’t fun for me and I don’t enjoy it at all.
  • Every year I receive less and less Christmas cards, so maybe people are over them.

Here’s why I’m still feeling guilty about it:

  • There are a few people who I’m only in contact with for the holidays (previous neighbors, friends from long ago) and I’m afraid they’ll think I don’t like them anymore if I stop sending out cards.
  • My kid is awfully cute. Shouldn’t I share that with the world? (this is a joke, kind of)

And YES, I know I can just buy prepackaged cards to send. But I feel like they are even more waste than a card that may have a cute family photo on it.

So, I think I’m skipping cards this year. Probably.

What are you doing – do you still send out holiday cards?

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10 thoughts on “I’m Done with Christmas Cards, I Think”

  1. I have just been thinking about this. I don’t know what to do, either. I don’t want people to think I hate them, or don’t like them, etc.

    I may just tell people it is my last year sending cards. That way, they know. Maybe it is something you lead up to. This is a very late start for sending cards, or at least for me. I have started buying them at the dollar store, they have such nice cards, really! And the gift labels, wrap, etc., are all very cute. For a dollar! They have tape, too. It makes me feel like the economic waste isn’t so bad.
    So, maybe lead up to it, and if they don’t remember, well, you tried!

    Nancy

    Nancy

  2. I have not sent cards the last couple of years either. I used to make our Christmas cards but have not had the time. The last couple of cards I sent were photo cards which was quicker than making our cards but still I did not enjoy the process. Year before last I decided that I needed to simplify Christmas a bit and cards were the first things to get crossed off my list.

  3. I haven’t sent any the past few years, but still receive many and always feel bad that I don’t send them out. I’ve even had family photos taken, made the cards, printed the cards, and then just haven’t felt like addressing/stamping/sending them. I’m so lame! LOL I was thinking of just buying some boxed cards and printing a family pic 4×6 to slip inside…then people who want to keep the pic can do so without it being too Christmasy? We’ll see.

  4. I feel like Facebook has negated the need for Christmas cards. Growing up I remember getting cards with letters in them and loving hearing everyone’s update and seeing the few pictures that were included. As we grew up, I feel like the personalization of the cards have disappeared. In fact, this year I got a generic card with just “Love, Laura” on it. What’s even the point, especially when I see her almost weekly? And I’ve heard from a number of people they dislike when they get a letter with the card (what?!? I thought that was the point, “hello, this is what’s going on in our lives, Merry Christmas”). I do love creating a card, but I too question whether its worth it to send anymore.

  5. I absolutely still send cards – I send mine right after Thanksgiving (I do enjoy creating them though – selecting the pictures and the design) and the feedback I get from people is always appreciative – many of them are people who never see my adorable kids (just like yours!) and they love to see them grow. I have some extended family members that live across the country that tell me they put them out every year to see how the kiddos have changed – I certainly don’t expect that – but it is nice to keep those long lost friends and family in the loop – if only once a year. Good luck!

  6. I’m sending them this year, but I’m in the same boat. My son is 3 and every year we do a mini photo session (of just him or one year we did do a family shot) with the photographer that has taken my family pictures going back to my engagement photos. I ordered my cards last Friday and paid for expedited service, but the place I ordered them from has notified me that they are delayed. At this point I’m concerned they won’t make it time for me to send out. My son is absolutely OVER having his photo taken, at least for a photo session. Plus, the photographer significantly increased her price this year. So for next year, I am already assessing what we will do. I know that people do love the photo cards I send, but it’s just something else to worry about during an already busy time and I’m really just over the whole thing. And for the record, It’s December 12 and I have received a grand total of 2 cards.

  7. Yes, we still send cards. We have friends all over the world, and it’s nice to have this contact every year. It’s also nice to see everyone’s kids grow up and catch up on what everyone’s doing.

  8. I think I’m in the same boat. Every year I am a bit excited to pick photos and send out a pretty card. Then I sit down and see how much Shutterfly charges and I think maybe I don’t need to send cards. This year, I used Walmart – fewer card designs but still plenty to choose from and it was $20 for 40 cards. They just arrived today and I’m super pleased. I think I’ll keep doing it for as long as we have some decent photos to include (even if I did already post them on FB). I understand how you feel – and you have to just choose what’s right for you. No one will think you don’t like or are mad at them 🙂

  9. I do a very minimal amount of cards each year -no more than 20. They go out to our older family members and old friends that we aren’t as in touch with.

    My husband’s family is very spread out and we don’t send them gifts but we send the card. They are also of a generation that appreciates them a lot.

  10. Last year I sent a photo magnet in January that said happy 2019. It pleased me & I hadn’t done cards in a very long time. Idk what I’ll do this year, but I’ll defo wait till Christmas is done to even think about it.

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