An etiquette question and a related recycling question

[Mama Poot]

I cannot stand getting greeting cards, yet my family seems to heap them on us at holidays and birthdays. I think they are a huge waste of money and resources, and I have zero interest or time to scrapbook so I end up throwing them in the trash.

So the etiquette question: How do I tell people to stop giving us cards without totally offending them and hurting their feelings?

The recycling question: If they won't stop giving cards, what on earth do I do with them if I'm not throwing them away???

[tightwaderin]

I cut them up with my decorative scissors (or you could use pinking shears), punch a hole in the corner and tie them to next years' gifts as tags. Last year we only sent cards to people we didn't see at the holidays. This year we didn't send any. It felt wonderful!

[texmama]

Originally Posted by tightwaderin

I cut them up with my decorative scissors (or you could use pinking shears), punch a hole in the corner and tie them to next years' gifts as tags.

: That's what we do.

[annekevdbroek]

This year I did an electronic card and annual newsletter. I printed it out and mailed it to a few people, like my grandma, who is not likely to be able to manage it on email. I figure that a few other people may follow along and start emailing their cards.

I agree that cards are a waste of paper and postage. I still like to see the photos though - so I hope to still get some sort of electronic card.

[KimProbable]

My kids recently made a craft at Grandma's house out of old cards. They cut out the pictures they liked and glued them onto a large piece of paper to create their own holiday decorations. They had tons of fun and they love that their artwork is being displayed.

[Jyotsna]

I personally still love receive holiday cards, and like the other poster said, I don't toss, I use them as gift cards for the next year. I don't think you will have to worry about telling people not to send them. I think by next year, most people won't send them because we will be using our resources to afford food.

Do you write letters? How will you be in connection with the people who send you cards and letters when there is not more internet, or people can't afford internet. I think the cards are thoughtful in general, and yes they can be wasteful. As far as telling people to stop sending them, I have a feeling you will hurt someones feelings, and I believe our relationships with others are more fragile than anything else, so I attempt to keep good relationships, while doing my best to care for the world the way I see fit. I can't change everyone, but by sending out an internet card, you have let others know you prefer it that way. I'm rambling, but I think I would treat the realationships lovingly and reuse, recycle but don't refuse.

Just my view.

[glorified_rice]

You can check here to see if there is a location near you who takes greeting cards for recycling.

[KoalaMama]

I used to get a lot of greeting cards in the mail, but after I stopped sending them I stopped receiving (most) of them! So maybe people will just stop sending them to you when you don't reciprocate?

We cut the ones we do get up for the kids to use in holiday crafts. In the past, I've also taped all the fronts together in a collage up on the wall for a festive decoration. If neither of those appeals to you, you might find a home for them on freecycle, or with a friend who is into crafts or holiday 'art'.

My grandmother once sent me a present in a shoebox that was decorated with scraps of holiday paper and old card cut-outs. It was lovely, and we still use it every year to store some of our decorations.

[Mama Poot]

Originally Posted by KoalaMama

I used to get a lot of greeting cards in the mail, but after I stopped sending them I stopped receiving (most) of them! So maybe people will just stop sending them to you when you don't reciprocate?

We cut the ones we do get up for the kids to use in holiday crafts. In the past, I've also taped all the fronts together in a collage up on the wall for a festive decoration. If neither of those appeals to you, you might find a home for them on freecycle, or with a friend who is into crafts or holiday 'art'.

My grandmother once sent me a present in a shoebox that was decorated with scraps of holiday paper and old card cut-outs. It was lovely, and we still use it every year to store some of our decorations.

Well, I didnt send out cards this year because I didnt have the time or money to do it, but it didn't stop the flood of cards. Instead of sending them in the mail, they just gave them to us with the presents! My mother insists on getting each of the kids their own card. WTH is a 6 month old going to do with a greeting card? It drives me nuts.

I would love to do something crafty with them, but I seriously do not have the time with 3 kids and a full time college schedule and extremely unpredictable work schedule. I do like the shoebox idea, though. Maybe I'll just find a box to stuff them in until I can figure out what to do with them later. (but they still drive me NUTS!

[artemis33]

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

I personally still love receive holiday cards, and like the other poster said, I don't toss, I use them as gift cards for the next year. I don't think you will have to worry about telling people not to send them. I think by next year, most people won't send them because we will be using our resources to afford food.

Do you write letters? How will you be in connection with the people who send you cards and letters when there is not more internet, or people can't afford internet. I think the cards are thoughtful in general, and yes they can be wasteful. As far as telling people to stop sending them, I have a feeling you will hurt someones feelings, and I believe our relationships with others are more fragile than anything else, so I attempt to keep good relationships, while doing my best to care for the world the way I see fit. I can't change everyone, but by sending out an internet card, you have let others know you prefer it that way. I'm rambling, but I think I would treat the realationships lovingly and reuse, recycle but don't refuse.

Just my view.

Very well said. I agree - I hear it annoys you but I wouldn't say anything on this one. Just lead by example going electronic and maybe others will follow (if you don't send at all, 'the offenders' might just think you ran out of time to do paper cards LOL).

In the meantime, crafting with the ones you receive or reusing them as tags (or postcards!) is an excellent idea! I made some really gorgeous ornaments from old cards a couple years ago. That was a Martha project that is a bit complicated for young kids, but there are lots of things kids could do!

Another option is to offer them up to a preschool or elementary school - OR on Freecycle! - to use as use for crafts.

[Purple*Lotus]

Donate them to a preschool or a Kindergarten. Every year we like to use the fronts of old cards for the kids to glue on to construction paper to make their own cards with. We are always in need of more recycled cards. This year my class didn't have enough, because people usually just throw them away

[staceychev]

Do the people who send you cards really expect you to keep them every year? That's INSANE!

[Mama Poot]

Originally Posted by Bunnyflakes

Donate them to a preschool or a Kindergarten. Every year we like to use the fronts of old cards for the kids to glue on to construction paper to make their own cards with. We are always in need of more recycled cards. This year my class didn't have enough, because people usually just throw them away

OMG I cant believe I didnt think of this!!!! Paddy's preschool would probably take them!! Thank you!!!!!

[SquishyBuggles]

I agree, donate them or recycle them to use as gift tags for next year!

[kis95]

Originally Posted by staceychev

Do the people who send you cards really expect you to keep them every year? That's INSANE!

I don't know about now, but when I was a teenager and lived at home, my mother had a drawer filled with every card my brother, my grandmother or I ever gave her. She also had cards from my dad, who she's been divorced from since I was seven! She tends to take sentimentality a little too far.