Will you be sending Christmas cards this year?

The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He was a civil servant who had helped set-up the new ‘Public Record Office’ (now called the Post Office), where he was an Assistant Keeper, and wondered how it could be used more by ordinary people.

Sending Christmas cards gives us a reason to connect with old friends and family and spread Christmas cheer, especially more than ever this year as we have not been able to see much of our friends and families.

But with the cost of postage and the rise of the Internet and social media, is this tradition soon to be written into the history books?

The following increases in stamp prices will be in effect from January 1, 2021:

• A first class-stamp for a standard letter: Rising 12 percent from 76p to 85p.
• A first class-stamp for a large letter: Rising 12 percent from £1.15 to £1.29.
• A second class-stamp for a standard letter: Rising two percent from 65p to 66p.
• A second class-stamp for a large letter: Rising nine percent from 88p to 96p.

Reports suggest that the older generation, who traditionally would contact old friends each year, is being put off by postage costs. The younger generation, which does everything online, isn’t interested in sending a physical card.

What are your views? Do you enjoy receiving Christmas cards? Have you always sent Christmas cards to friends and family? Is this a tradition that you will continue? Do you prefer to donate the equivalent money to charity? Or have times changed and so have your Christmas card sending habits?