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Penny
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 18520
Location: Planet, not on the....
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 Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 12:32 pm Post subject: Christmas Card - Alternatives |
 
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I just don't want to send them this year - it seems such a waste of paper and energy, I feel like I'm being sucked into worshiping at the alter of St Clintons (even if I make my own cards) and yet I still want to let our friends and family know we care.
Can we think of alternatives that have less of an impact?
It would be interesting to know what other Downsizers do. |
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hedgewitch
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have a friend who sends emails out with festive/seasonal wishes in and also the names of the charities he is donating to instead of buying and posting cards.
I did this last year for friends and family (well, those of my family who have email). Most people liked it, my mother thought it was dreadful. So win/win for me and I'll be doing it again this year.   |
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sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 14865
Location: sunny wales
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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I havent sent cards for donkeys years. What I do instead is fund at least one tree planting each year (or plant one myself if I have the chance) and tell everyone that they have a share in that tree. We send, probably, about 3 cards a year to cover just those people who really don't get it, (got a couple of neighbours who would consider it a mortal slight if they didnt get a card) but apart from that, its the annual tree in lieu of cards. |
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boisdevie1
Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 2289
Location: Northern France
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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Here in France most people don't get into all that sort of rubbish. So I've adopted the methods here and don't bother sending any. Seems like such a waste of time, money and materials. |
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Tinks
Joined: 16 May 2005
Posts: 678
Location: Berkshire
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| sally_in_wales wrote: |
| I havent sent cards for donkeys years. What I do instead is fund at least one tree planting each year (or plant one myself if I have the chance) and tell everyone that they have a share in that tree. We send, probably, about 3 cards a year to cover just those people who really don't get it, (got a couple of neighbours who would consider it a mortal slight if they didnt get a card) but apart from that, its the annual tree in lieu of cards. |
That's a beautiful idea. |
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Mary-Jane
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 15629
Location: Ceredigion, West Wales
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Christmas Card - Alternatives |
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I have to say I'm with you on this one Penny. The sending of Christmas cards is an early Victorian concept and the idea was to send a card only to those people that you hadn't been in touch with since the previous Christmas, just to let them know that they were still in your thoughts.
However, it's now been turned into a modern day socially acceptable bad habit. I utterly resent sending cards to people I see every day - particularly those I work with every day. Why? I see them all the time. So my answer, at work at least, is to put a large box of sweets on a table, with a notice saying "Mary-Jane wishes you all a Merry Christmas - help yourselves"
But as for friends and family that 'expect' cards - I'm still puzzling over that one. We tend just not to bother at all - save for the few 'simply have to' folk. |
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sean
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 30328
Location: North Devon
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jamsam
Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 2558
Location: erm....i dont know, its dark.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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subject close to my heart..or wallet..
ive made 5 and sent them today (two international) and thats it..i refuse to let the kids take any to school, but how do i let the parents know that instead of me looking like a complete non- festive git??
i was going to send a big charity card into school for all the teachers syaing i dont want to send any this year..but im sure the boys will be nagging me..arrghh  |
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Cho-ku-ri
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 4228
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Our children's school has had the great idea to 'save the planet' and each child should only bring one card in for the whole class. My eldest is going to send an e-card. |
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Penny
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 18520
Location: Planet, not on the....
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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| jamsam wrote: |
subject close to my heart..or wallet..
ive made 5 and sent them today (two international) and thats it..i refuse to let the kids take any to school, but how do i let the parents know that instead of me looking like a complete non- festive git??
i was going to send a big charity card into school for all the teachers syaing i dont want to send any this year..but im sure the boys will be nagging me..arrghh |
That's the issue isn't it - letting people know you're not ignoring them I will do the tree thing, the woodland trust do some sposor a sapling things, so I'll do that instead. But how do I tell my great neices and nephews that Great Aunty Penny is not ignoring them - she's planted a tree instead. I could send them a card of course  |
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gil
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 13980
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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I like the idea of e-cards / emails, but too often they take ages to download and the animations don't work (on dial-up). This really annoys me, and completely detracts from the sender's intention. I end up cursing folk I otherwise love dearly.
I make my own cards. There are a lot of people I don't see that often, and others who still enjoy receiving cards (mainly older people).
But I too would not send cards to people I see daily etc. |
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hedgewitch
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Penny wrote: |
| But how do I tell my great neices and nephews that Great Aunty Penny is not ignoring them - she's planted a tree instead. I could send them a card of course |
Skype them?  |
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Penny
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 18520
Location: Planet, not on the....
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| hedgewitch wrote: |
| Penny wrote: |
| But how do I tell my great neices and nephews that Great Aunty Penny is not ignoring them - she's planted a tree instead. I could send them a card of course |
Skype them? |
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wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 11851
Location: Bucks
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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I only send cards to people I won't see, but would like to (reletives in far flung places) everyone who's remotely up to date will get an email, saying I have donated to charity instead. I resent sending cards to people I see all the time - why can't I just say merry christmas and mean it?
I like the tree idea, and I might make a gingerbread house to take to work this year. |
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Cathryn
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 13801
Location: Ceredigion
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 06 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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I do the tin of biscuits at work. Do you think it's acceptable to ask them all not to send me cards. I just find it ridiculous and pointless. |
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