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E Cards for Christmas?

November 2nd, 2015 at 07:05 pm

If you have read my other blog,

Text is Your Organized Friend and Link is http://yourorganizedfriend.blogspot.com/
Your Organized Friend, in the last couple days you know I'm starting my Christmas planning. One thing I'm trying to decide on for simplicity sake is Christmas cards. I sent them last year. I probably spent $30 between photos and stamps for 35 cards. I bought the cards on clearance the year before, so that was the least expensive option.

This year I'm considering eCards. I can get a one month membership to American Greetings for $3.99 or Hallmark for $5. Each membership is unlimited cards for the period of the membership. I could also get longer memberships that would bring the per month cost down. Both sites allow the card to be sent to Facebook(and some other social media sites) and/or email. I would still have to mail one or two cards to a couple people who are not online (my mother in law, who is 80 is one).

I'm considering doing this to save time for me, the clutter for others, money for us and keep my stress level low. You can tell me if you think it's tacky, but I don't care entirely what others might think. I'm still making an effort to connect, just a different form. I could opt out of the Christmas card giving all together, but I don't think I'm ready for that.

What are your thoughts on eCards?

Posted in Spending, Saving, Family | 9 Comments »

9 Responses to “E Cards for Christmas?”

  1. MonkeyMama Says:
    November 2nd, 2015 at 08:12 pm 1446495145
    1446495145

    I think technically ecards sounds GREAT! We haven't done any cards in many many years because it's so wasteful. I think online cards are a much better alternative.

    BUT... That said, I don't know how useful a third party ecard site like American Greetings is. It maybe depends on your demographic, but my dh is a techie and no one in our house is allowed to open links or files like that (virus/scam concerns). My dh has told his family a million times to stop giving these sites our e-mail addresses (also concerned about spam/privacy). If you have more relaxed/less techie recipients who will actually look at the cards you send, maybe it doesn't matter so much. But I wonder if it's better just to save your $5 and try to design your own greeting card. Maybe some other bloggers will have ideas. (If I were to design my own e-card, I'd use the Photoshop software we already have. This is not helpful advice to anyone who doesn't already have a program like Photoshop, so am wondering what other people do).

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    November 2nd, 2015 at 08:16 pm 1446495411
    1446495411

    Yes, I hear you on those links! That is a good point. My oldest daughter has Photoshop...but I'm not going to bother her with making our card. She's got enough to do with school without adding this on.

    A family picture with a greeting could easily be sent by email or Facebook. But as I try to make things simpler, getting a photo taken isn't necessarily high on the list given my child is away at college.

  3. AnotherReader Says:
    November 2nd, 2015 at 09:20 pm 1446499228
    1446499228

    Check out Jacquie Lawson'e e-cards. They are breathtakingly beautiful animated greeting cards that can be personalized. I got one maybe 15 years ago and haven't forgotten it.

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/

  4. creditcardfree Says:
    November 3rd, 2015 at 12:51 am 1446511868
    1446511868

    @Another Reader, I've seen those Jacquie Lawson e-cards! Those are fabulous. I will definitely take that in consideration before I decide what to do.

  5. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    November 3rd, 2015 at 01:17 am 1446513452
    1446513452

    What I tell people is that if they are sending me an ecard, to also send an email = even if just a short note to say -expect an ecard from me! Otherwise I will just delete without looking at them.

    It's been awhile since I've sent one though - didn't realize they weren't free anymore.

  6. starfishy Says:
    November 3rd, 2015 at 03:07 am 1446520049
    1446520049

    i think ecards would be fine to send! i was going to suggest Jacquie Lawson, too, although i just looked at the website and it costs $14/year or $20/two years for membership. could you create something simple using holiday clip art in an email? or use a photo of your christmas tree, a pet or something else rather than your family since your daughter is away? i stopped sending cards years ago and now just post a photo and simple greeting on FB, usually using a fragment of a christmas carol. good luck with whatever you decide! Smile

  7. PNW Mom Says:
    November 3rd, 2015 at 02:43 pm 1446561818
    1446561818

    I was going to say, why not do a photo card and make a mini collage of the past year. If you don't have a good pic of the four of you, you probably have lot's of individual pics Smile

  8. rachel021406 Says:
    November 4th, 2015 at 06:43 pm 1446662600
    1446662600

    I think I am odd man out, but I still enjoy real cards. It just means more to me if someone takes time to write on a card and mail it to me. I buy my cards on clearance after Christmas and then whatever I need in stamps. I spend less than $15 all together.

  9. creditcardfree Says:
    November 4th, 2015 at 06:52 pm 1446663170
    1446663170

    @rachel, I enjoy getting cards and part of me giving them as well. I've just noticed in recent years that not many people reciprocate.

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