It seems that a popular way to cut costs this Christmas is to not send out any cards. I remember last year as I was putting stamps on some of my cards thinking that really this did cost quite a lot! I was thinking about perhaps not sending out the rest of them in an attempt to save some money. But then I made a trip to my mailbox. And what else should I find, but a stack of Christmas cards for my family. And it made me so happy, and I thought that if my sending out cards could bring others that same happiness, it really was the least I could do.
I know many people just send their cards in a digital format. Email correspondence is so natural that sending holiday greetings via cyberspace just doesn't seem the same to me.
I've gone back and forth quite a bit about whether or not to send out cards, but when it comes down to it, I love being on the receiving end, so I want to do what I can to return that favor, even though I may have to cut back elsewhere.
4 comments:
I totally agree! This is the one time of year when everyone RUNS to their mailbox. I love seeing photos of my friend's children grow, and hearing from people who I haven't seen in years but still feel a connection to despite time and space. In addition, I'm always surprised by people whot tell me how much the card I send means to them. It is incredible to walk into someones home and see my kids' photo on their fridge.
A frugal alternative is to send Christmas postcards. It only costs 27 cents to send a post card (vs. 42 cents for a card).
If you want to be extra frugal, you can take all the old card you received from people you're iffy about (business, people you only think about during the Holidays, etc.), cut it along the fold, and use the printed part as a postcard!
If you want to write a longer message than a post card will allow, you can take a Christmas card, write a message inside (maybe tape a picture), and tape the card shut and address the back of the card like a post card, stick a 27 cent stamp, and send it. I do it all the time, it's a good way to save on postage.
For the past 2 years, we have only sent cards to our immediate family, that we won't be seeing at Christmas. Not only to save on postage, but also paper. Trying to be more 'green.' :)
@Jin6655321 - I had never thought of sending postcards, what a great idea!
N. - I always reuse my cards (well the picture part at least) for crafts or gift tags, but I know for many people they just end up in the trash.
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