I brought this question up on my Instagram recently, the ideas that we do still need to send Christmas cards?

Now I’m a little bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas cards, in a sense I don’t send any.  I know, I know, I’m the worst Scrooge ever. But to be blunt and not to be all bah humbug, but I find Christmas cards to be wasteful and a little pointless.

There I said it, and you now think I’m the worst person ever. But hear me out.

What I have found in the past, you open a card and see it from some extended lost relatives you have never met and then what? After reading the cards, then what do you do? Make a mental note (or if you’re organized, you will write it in your Christmas journal or calendar) to send one back. Hang it on the mantelpiece or stuff it in a drawer once Christmas is over. Seriously, what are you supposed to do with Christmas cards once you read the sentiment and have acknowledged it?

Isn’t Christmas cards just a waste of paper. I say this as we all trying to be a little more environmental conscience. There’s a significant effort to cut down on plastics, why is there not the same effort with papers? And it isn’t just Christmas cards that we need to worry about, but also wrapping papers and general loose papers you seem to have over the festive period. Why are we not cutting down on that?

I won’t get into the sentiment of Christmas cards as I understand it – but my thoughts are that there is a better way to send sentiments to a loved one.

Well for starter, send over something like an e-card. It doesn’t waste paper, and usually, you can animate the e-card and get into personalization. There is also a simple email or texts. I know people might be against this idea, but if you really love or care for someone, do you need a fancy Hallmark card? My opinion is that; a simple text is enough. You can get straight to the point, keep it short, and you get a quicker response from people.

I’m a typical Millennial where I would instead send a little text or perhaps send over e-cards to someone. I don’t think it just that, I find myself in the mindset where I made an effort to shop for a Christmas card, write it out and then walk 20 minutes down the road to my nearest post office and post it; only for it to be in the bin 4-6 weeks later (approx.).

Some of my most meaningful and long last Christmas messages have been electronically.

I know there will be traditionalist reading this and think I’m barking up the wrong tree. I understand that as well, especially as I still got family members who still like to receive Christmas cards and don’t understand all thing electronically. ⠀

I also don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful when receiving Christmas cards, I am but there a lot of elements to think about, as I have explained.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Do you still like writing out/receiving Christmas cards, or do you prefer a simple text?