Your thoughts, please. A neighbor told me that it is bad form to:

[Paper Roses]

Send Christmas card via e-mail. I have done my shopping for the grandchildren and for the 'Secret Santa' we have adopted for the adults.
As with many, the thoughts of sending cards is hard. Not the effort but just a simple thing like stamps.

I want to remember my friends but, as things are, I can send some cards but not to everyone.

When she said it was 'bad form' I cringed. My plan was to sent a note on cards via one of the free sites.
Now I feel like Scrooge.

What do you think?

[reformist2]

1. Sending an e-card isn't nothing, but it's only one step above it.

[REP]

26. I like how you think

I feel bad about using the printer to address cards, but after the infection and surgery on my thumb, I just can't handwrite a note in each of 50 cards and sign them and hand-address the envelopes.

[Old Codger]

2. May very well be

But I do it anyway.....

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Although it's nice to get a paper card,

I don't see anything wrong with sending an emailed one. The important thing, if you ask me, is that you sent them something; the form isn't important.

Email does offer an opportunity for people to send even longer and more tedious Christmas brag letters, unfortunately.

[Angry Dragon]

4. There are many different ways to tell others that you are thinking of them

maybe follow it up with a phone call after the holidays

[Squinch]

5. I actually like them. Here's the solution: don't send her one. It isn't bad form.

[CTyankee]

13. I have discovered that my handwriting has deteriorated significantly over the last several years.

Yes, advancing age, but also I don't write longhand too much anymore. I sent a card with a check to my dtr and also to my ny times paper carrier and I notice I can't form "G" properly. ACK!

[Squinch]

24. I am finding the same thing. I can type as fast as I can speak, but I can't write so anyone

other than me can read it.

[NYC_SKP]

6. To each their own, I guess. I send a few each year by mail, but it's not sustainable.

If you can send one electronically, it takes little energy and no resources (paper, fuel).

[deaniac21]

7. You are saving trees.

[joeglow3]

25. And killing postal jobs

One of the few great paying jobs for someone with no college education.

[KurtNYC]

8. I think the thought counts more than the form.

A nice email beats a generic card I think. The more of YOUR personality and thoughts the better.

[Grey]

9. Think of The trees saved and

land fill not used. I do send certain people a card. They are not on the internets. Others (most) I send anywhere from 3 to a dozen e-mails or E-cards. If I find something cute and want to share it, I see nothing wrong with letting them know I am thinking of them. If I find something that will get under the skin of 'that brother-in-law' I send that too. It's the thought that counts, right?

[nenagh]

10. It's lovely just to be remembered at Christmas...

"Bad form" sounds like something from the 50's, quite a judgmental comment.

Enjoy sending the Christmas card by email...I think that's very nice of you..

[Quantess]

11. Instead,

I would suggest sending only a few christmas cards to the people you think would appreciate it the most.
To more peripheral people, you can write an email with some substance, call them, or just leave it for now and send a postcard any old time of the year.

[1000words]

12. Extend your greetings and celebrate how you see fit

Pay no mind to the judgements of others.

Have a great holiday, Paper Roses.

[enough]

16. This is excellent advice for everything about the holidays. (nt)

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. I think I may have gotten a few eCards ...

... not sure, because I generally don't click on links in emails.

[Ikonoklast]

15. I think you do what *you* think is right.

If anyone told me that what I did was 'bad form', I'd laugh in their face.

[silverweb]

17. I send EVERYone e-cards.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]The only exceptions to whom I sent paper cards were those too elderly to use a computer, and they're all gone now except for my mother (who does use a computer). She gets a gift basket, an e-card, and a phone call on Christmas day.

Everyone else gets e-cards and they all know it's because I'm a "live simply, live sustainably eco-freak" and consider paper cards to be wasteful "dead-tree cards."

Anyone who thinks it's "bad form" or not "proper" enough is welcome to their opinion, but that doesn't mean I have to agree or follow their rules. So far, no one has complained to me personally; the gossip among relatives may be another story entirely, but I don't care at all about that.

[shraby]

18. I enjoy getting e-cards. They are so much more that a folded piece of paper with a short note and

a signature.
They are animated with music, some are funny, most are beautiful. You're not shorting anyone with e-cards!

[liberal_at_heart]

19. You are not Scrooge. How old is this neighbor? It could be a generational thing. My

mother in law is old fashioned. She loves paper. She loves paper back books. She loves paper greeting cards. Some people just like paper. But just because your neighbor doesn't enjoy getting e cards doesn't mean others don't enjoy getting them.

[polichick]

20. Take her off your list. :)

[Whisp]

21. I would send your neighbour an e card for Christmas

telling her it's bad form to be a rude arse and ask if jesus would have asked you that.

[JoePhilly]

22. Tie a card to a brick ... And ...

Drop it down his chimney as if Santa brought it.

[ErikJ]

23. Send a "Christmas" Youtube video-I think I'll send this one

and another one

[Agnosticsherbet]

27. Goodhouskeeping Christmas card etiquete has this to say.

Email Christmas Cards?

Although sending "Merry Christmas" emails isn't exactly rude, most people prefer the warmth of a personally signed card. If you have pals whom you communicate with primarily through email, such a holiday greeting might suffice. It depends on whether you think your friends will feel shortchanged by what could be perceived as a routine message.

I send lots of cards by email. I see nothing wrong with it.

[elleng]

28. Its the THOUGHT that counts!

I'm HAPPY to hear from friends via tech, e-mail, fb, etc. GO with your heart, Roses!



and ignore lectures. Who asked her? I communicate as I wish.

[Are_grits_groceries]

29. Bah!

Think nothing of that and don't let it spoil your Christmas one second.

You do what makes you feel comfortable. Adding a personal note on cards is a good idea. If people don't like it, that's on them. It's the thought and thoughts that count.

[wercal]

30. A senior guy at Hallmark once spoke at an event I was at.

They were very concerned when e-cards came out.

Their strategy - try to become the biggest source of e-cards.....but give them away for free. They got their desired result - they are now considered cheap and bad form.

[pnwest]

31. I feel it's a generational thing. My parents

who are in their 70's, would think emailed cards are lazy and trifling. Birthday, anniversary and christmas cards in the mail are pretty much required. But my same age, tech savvy friends are just fine with an email on those occasions...even a tweet.

[laundry_queen]

32. That's how I see it

However, I will admit I really like to receive Christmas cards....I love how they add to my Christmas décor I also send cards to my extended family because I send them school pictures of my kids every year, since we live pretty far and they only see the kids every few years or so. Plus, not all of my relatives have the internet (some live in the boonies). So...real cards.

This year one of my relatives that has always been a faithful card sender for Christmas and birthdays sent an e-card instead. It was a bit of a let down, but I understand why. Plus, he made extra sure to make it a very fancy e-card (knowing him it probably wasn't a free one). Still, I'll miss seeing his card up on the wall this year.