I guess I may not be sending Christmas cards this year (2026, in 12 months’ time) as I see they are now passé.
A few people said, when I asked for their address to send cards back in 2025, “No thanks”. No explanation, no elaboration. So I guessed it was for the environment or because they’d feel obligated to send one back.
But I see now, after doing a bit of digging on the internet, there is a whole movement of “don’t send me a Christmas card” as people prefer to save the money for cards and postage and instead donate it to charity.
OK, that makes sense. And we can post Christmas messages on our social media, for all our followers to see. The number of people who don’t have social media (eg my Mum, aged 95) is smaller and smaller, so not many people will feel they haven’t been wished ‘Happy Christmas’ to. In any case, I can still send physical cards to close family and friends, if I want to. So that’s decided.
Of course, we have lost something with the decline of Christmas cards: the beauty and artistry of the physical paper card, the glitter, decoupage, fabric, sequin and decorative elements. Personally, I enjoyed making my Christmas cards out of last year’s cards. The crafting activity: getting the scissors, double sided sticky tape, the stickers and felt-tip pens, was part of the build-up to Christmas. I would find a few mornings free – and working freelance, I often have time free 🙁 … I would get the Christmas music on the radio, and feel absorbed in the physical act of crafting! It’s very meditative, creative and satisfying.
I have read people blogging about, “Hey, most of us work and don’t have time to write and send dozens of Christmas cards!” And I understand that. And time moves on – if people don’t want a physical Christmas card, then good luck to them. I have actually almost felt like I am FORCING a Christmas card on certain people. So, OK, I have read the room, I get the message. It’s a slight shame, but maybe I will just save them for close friends. Of course, it’s Sod’s Law that I had JUST ordered some physical business Christmas cards for my company, Sarah Lockett Ltd. But I will use them up for work contacts.
My point is:
…and this is my point: I have moved with the times. I am about 10 years behind everyone else, but I got there! And I haven’t harmed anyone along the way, so I am OK with that. Onwards…
