For over 3 decades, I was one of the many thousands who participate in an annual ritual that takes time, money and doesn’t do a lot of good for our planet.
What is it? Sending Christmas cards!
On a site called Liveabout.com, we learn that Christmas is the largest card-sending holiday in the United States, with approximately 1.3 billion cards sent annually. Nine out of every ten households buy and send greeting cards each year. That amounts to about 7.5 billion dollars in retail sales. Annually.
Holy cow.
And what is the impact of this ritual on our planet? Grade of Green reports that there are approximately 2.5 million trees cut down each year for greeting cards. Our world would be better served with those millions of trees around to improve our air, provide ecosystems for wildlife, and fight global warming. And especially in processing that carbon dioxide emitted by all those cards that end up in landfills.
Time and Money
For over three decades, I spent my Thanksgiving holiday on Christmas cards. Initially, it was just a few hours, but as the years rolled by. My list of friends and associates grew (especially after joining Toastmasters). Those few hours expanded into most of those beautiful four fall holidays spent sitting indoors writing Christmas cards.
Then there was the expense. I never purchased Christmas cards at full price. I’d go card shopping the day after Christmas, elbowing dozens of others to grab the nicest cards. Initially, it was just a few boxes. That grew to 7-8 boxes each year.
Then there’s the postage. There has never been a sale or discount on postage!
80’s – average 15 cents
90’s – average 25 cents
2000’s – average 33 cents
2010 – average 42 cents
now – 55 cents a card.
The Obligation/Guilt Factor
Before I quit, I was easily sending close to 200 Christmas cards. It was a guilt thing. “Oh, if I send a card to this person, this other person may be offended if I didn’t send one to them.” And on and on and on it goes.
Then there was the issue of managing the cards I received. People I sent a card to felt they had to reciprocate and send me a card back. With 200 or more cards to open, I found it burdensome. Time-consuming. I certainly did not have the space to display them. But I felt guilty just tossing them.
Furthermore, most were impersonal with just a quick and dirty scribble, “happy holidays.” Worst, names printed by companies that charge lots of money to handle sending cards for you. How boring for the recipient!
I quit sending Christmas Cards
In the early 2000s, I stopped sending cards. Consequently, I don’t receive many cards. I believe that indicates the need to reciprocate with a card when receiving one, which overrides a true holiday sentiment. Today, I receive maybe five cards – two are photo postcards of my great-nieces and nephews growing up. I love those. And the other three are from folks who really love the card-sending tradition and do it with the heartfelt intent of sharing news and love. They know I don’t send cards anymore. They don’t give a wit about that.
I bet if you think of not sending cards, you are concerned about two things. What will others think of you? Or guilt. Am I right? Is this healthy? I don’t think so. Not beneficial for us. Not for those to whom we send cards and not our beautiful blue planet.
I challenge you
I invite you to join me in the small, but growing, community of folks whose eyes have opened to the futility of this ritual. With electronic cards that sing and dance and nearly make coffee for you, why send paper cards? At least reduce the number.
Earth day is April 22nd. Why not contact the people you send cards to know that you are taking a step towards helping our planet by not sending Christmas cards. It isn’t because they are not special. They are. But so is the earth, you can explain. Let them off the hook by telling them they do not need to send one to you, either.
In conclusion…
Ditching the ritual of sending Christmas cards was one of the kindest things I ever did for myself, friends, family, associates, and especially planet earth. Now I really enjoy my Thanksgiving holiday cooking, eating, and decorating for Christmas.
Save time, money, and the planet. I challenge you. No Christmas cards mailed for 2021. Can you do it?
