Don't you think Christmas cards are a waste of money?

Question

When I was at school and both my parents worked for large companies we had hundreds of Christmas cards - from people who sat next to my mum (she saw them daily) from my dad's workmates - from my school friends .... since then I've always thought them such a waste. I now live in Greece - where they rarely send any type of card whether its birthday or Christmas. They seem to have the right idea - if you add up the money spent on cards (without the added stamps) and it's a lot of money that could have gone straight to charity ... not just a % like when you buy charity cards.
Seems such a waste to me - doesn't it you?

I agree it's great to get cards from people far away that you rarely see ... but people you work with ... and family????

R guetive - when I say my parents worked in large companies - I meant factories where they workers sent each other cards (100s of them) Not companies doing it as a 'business' move.

Answer 1

i quite agree - you should only really send cards to people you dont see on a regular basis. i used to work in a large open plan office, and people as you say, sent cards to each other all the time. I used to bake my own cakes and give them out as an alternative, and most people found that a lovely gesture. I would love to stop giving out cards but the problem is, lots of people think you are being cheepskates if you say you are giving money to charity instead, they say "oh we buy charity cards" (and dont read the small print that only 5% of card sales go to the charity). and my two boys want to send everyone in their class one, plus teachers and other friends from football, swimming, tennis, marshall arts etc, so that is 80 cards before i even start on my own friends! So, as a compromise, i buy really cheap cards to save money for them, and send better cards to special friends (second class post). I do not give cards to my own family, no point! (and yes, i give to charity aswell!)

Merry Christmas!!!

Answer 2

I only send cards to people that I won't see in person to wish them a Merry Christmas. If possible I will first send them a e-card. If I don't have that option then the next thing is a card.

I can see why you would think a waste of money because it goes in the garbage and there are better places that money could be spent but do you really take the cost of cards out of your budget and put it to charity. I don't think you do. I don't think you say I would have spent $1 for each card therefore I am making a contribution of $1 x 100 cards I would have sent out. If you make a contribution to charity you probably just say this is what I can afford to give. Just say that there are better things the money can be spent on. My husband thinks like you.

I don't see a Christmas card that way. It shows that someone is thinking of you and they are in your heart. It's part of the spirit of Christmas. I like opening the mailbox and getting mail. It's special to open the mailbox and see that ohhh a card from "Jane". It makes you think of that person and when I put my cards up along my fireplace I am blessed by all those around me that aren't there to share Christmas with.

Also if you feel strongly about giving to money to charity then why not buy Unicef, WWF or St. Jude Cards that's an option.

Answer 3

It is not something to look upon as wasting money, why? because you are buying them for a reason, and that reason is evry special it is to reach out and touch those people, family and friends at a special time of the year. It allows people to remember the feelings shared between you and them.
Many people recall other memories when they got xmas cards from you and others many years before hand.
No christmas cards are not wasting money, they are pure and angelic messages being sent out to affect all in a wonderful way.
blessings

Answer 4

Christmas cards are cheaper than gifts... Plus it's smart for businesses to send out Christmas cards cuz people remember that and will send them their business the following year.

It's good for the economy... that's one of the reasons why Americans have a better economy than places like Greece.

think about it

Answer 5

During my English years I became accustomed to that habit. Although my student allowance was limited, I always sent the regular Woolworth dozen to very close people. I never got one back. So upon my return that habit went off along with others acquired.
Although as a professional later on I got the usual Christmas promotional business cards, and sent some back for the same reason, their cost was ever more forbidding and finally the money was put into other use.

Answer 6

No it isn't a waste of time. I want people to know that I am thinking of them.

Who doesn't like to recieve a card? A card says that someone is thinking about you and cares about you enough to send a card.

I always put my cards up around my home, I love to recieve cards.

Answer 7

Anythin' related to god is not a waste . Givin charity or makin people remember abt god is a type ofcharity,both,commonly, have a positive effect and includes in list of good deeds.
Goin bars , clubs and spenting money on entertainment is a waste but spendin money to realise someone about god is not a waste.
These money on stamps,cards should not be considered as they r not a waste but a step toward religious development of society.

Answer 8

It is an incredible waste of money. Especially when you have to dish out money for stamps, the cards and then take the time to write in all of them. I was tasting envelope paste for weeks afterwards!

Answer 9

For sure a waste of money...I don't think anybody keeps them. All you do is throw them away. And it's always better hearing those things from your mouth then a card anyways!

Answer 10

Send an "ecard". Some websites are free, you can personalize the cards to be sent, they are sent via email. Save a tree and some cash!