Christmas cards
I HATE writing Christmas cards. As I spend most of my time typing nowadays, my hands have lost the ability to write easily for any length of time, and writing lots of cards really makes them ache. Also there is all the bother of buying the cards and the stamps, and remembering to post them. Plus, of course, thousands of trees are being cut down so we can send a picture of a robin on a tree to Aunt Marge , saying mendaciously how much we would like to see her in the coming year.
I have now gone over almost wholly to using electronic cards, and only send out the paper variety if the recipient doesn’t have an email address. I’m not sure how green that really is (bearing in mind this post) but it uses up less trees and is better for my hands.
There is also of course the time honoured method of cutting up and re-using last years Christmas cards, but somehow that seems a bit mean at Christmas time. I know my instinctive thought when I receive one tends to be ‘cheapskate’, or a feeling that they can’t really care much if they can’t be bothered to buy me a new card.
My favourite electronic card service is that run by Jacqui Lawson from her ‘perfect English country cottage’ in West Sussex. I have used her service for several years now, and everybody loves them. They are lovely little animated flash e-cards, with topics ranging from scenes in the country, presents around the tree, and Jacqui and her colleagues’ own cats and dogs. Unlike many of the e-cards available you have to pay, but it is only £5 per year. With that you get notifications when they are sent out and opened, an online address book, and record of cards sent.
However there are many other organisations, particularly charities, which provide an e-card service. Shelter is one. You can either send them as a private individual or as a business (where your logo can be added). Other charities offering an e-card service include MacMillan Cancer Research, and the World Land Trust. I am sure you will find others. It is a nice way to promote a cause which you believe in, and save trees at the same time. In fact I think the Greens ought to do one!
What do you do about Christmas cards? Do you use an electronic service? Which do you prefer?
