David, I get these too from a friend. I hate them.
I was laid in bed a few days ago reminiscing about how we used to get so many actual cards at xmas there would be strings of them up on every wall. Now I get at most, three or four and as for e-cards, donāt even bother to look at them if I do get any which is not often. Sad sign of the times though that the strings donāt exist anymore and we used to make them into gift parcel labels after xmas with a pair of pinking shears and a hole punch for the following year
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Weāve given up sending cards except to our very closest friends and family so itās gone down from about 80 to around 10. And I usually put the ubiquitous newsletter in it too. So you can imagine that what with the cost of the card and the postage, it mounts up to quite a few euros.
Then last year, I wrote in my newsletter (not to family or friends though) that I would only be sending out the newsletter via email and if they wanted to continue reading of our life in France, they should send me their email address. I also said that we would be donating the money usually spent on postage to a charity - our chosen one being Freeways Trust. So this year, we have sent the Christmas cards to family and close friends and the newsletter is going out to recipients later this afternoon. Iāve also sent a cheque to Freeways Trust.
And Iāve saved several hours from not having to write a few words in each card too.
As @Shiba recalled, we also used to get loads of cards when we lived in the UK and they would be hung all round the house. After 6th January each year I would give the cards to my friend who used to use them to make her own homemade cards. Iām not arty/artistic in any way so there was no point in me trying to do what Carol was a master at.
Stuart and I wish all of you and your family a wonderful Christmas and hope 2026 is a good year for you in every way.
What a great idea, Julesā permanantly gloomy expression would be just the ticket. 
A very old friend who re-emigrated to Canada keeps in touch each year by sending me a Jackie Lawson Christnas card. Heās of the age that still sends Christmas cards.
Iām always glad to receive them as it prompts me to call him in the New Year rather than making a note that I must. Not close, but wanting to keep in touch and still caring the cards are ideal.
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I never got the whole newsletter thing, the ones Iāve seen were basically a load of middle class āweāre better than youā bragging.
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Yurp. With one exception, they are the epitome of smugness. A catalogue of their bloody trips. And what their revolting offspring are doing.
Bitter & twisted of Strasbourg
PS A friend of mine used to correct the spelling mistakes with a red pen and send them back.
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I subscribed to the Jacqui Lawson site for many years. Iāve really no idea why because I find the cards utterly nauseating and canāt bear to send them. In fact Iāve given up sending anything these days.
The one thing that was good was theiradvent calendar. Like @Jane_Williamson I sent them to people but this year someone sent one to me and itās definitely gone downhill. Hardly any games, which is what I used to enjoy. However, I still have the one for 2023 and play the games on their occasionally.
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I like your friend already.
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I had one of these āsent to everyoneā letters today in a card from a cousin of my husband who only ever shows her either on holiday or away somewhere or at a theatre show. The letter was full of their five foreign trips this year, how the offspring have bought their own homes as single women and generally all about themselves. Something I have never done and will never do is send such a general letter to one and all. So B&T of Strasbourg, you aināt the only bah humbug!
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We always send one to Canada too, Vancouver.
I havenāt sent a card via the post for decades. It is expensive and never arrives on time and/or gets lost! As I am a little bit techno minded, I have been able to send home made electronic cards and/or find up and coming digital card services now available. Ignoring who creates e-cards/digital cards, it can be as lovely as sending a physical card and as special as receiving a card in the post.
When you send something lovely, it has meaning. In a world were everything is so fast, and we have moved into a digital space, taking the time to connect in a meaningful way is so important.
I have read what everyone was saying about sales, and who likes what and I understand, it can be challenging @David_Spardo. I do see your points. Maybe it is the service offered rather than the gesture perhaps? But a lot of the companies are over a decade old, and they were ahead of their time when they started.
The Techno world has moved on and digital cards and letters (not emails or texts) can be magical and new companies are popping up. I would have been lost without such a thoughtful connection, particularly when the postal service is so bad and I travel a lot.
I also want to add, if I may, that texts donāt seem special enough for occasions such as weddings or birthdays. My family donāt even texts in complete words. , (ālolol, JW, BRT, Gr8t ā ). It drives me insane.
Perhaps I am toooo old school, with a modern twist! But I like my family to sit down, think about what they are sending and either write it or type it, post it or digitally send it. I drive them mad, but it matters. Therefore, when granny opens a digital card, and it means something, my eldest (a gamer, techno, everything on-line, doesnāt leave their room for days-if they can get away with it) also loves it. And it creates a portal for them to have a little chat. Granny emails them back to say thank you, how are you doing, they stop what they are doing and reply and thatās the part I love. Back in my day, Granny called me to say thank you and the card I sent was placed above the fireplace. Now a days, she shows everyone her card from her phone and emails back to the sender. But she is just as chuffed!
There is a blog that talks about sending electronic cards./digital cards, and new companies coming up which are technologically better, nicer cards, but more money. But there are also free digital card services, which I used when my kids were young and although they are limited in what they can do, most out dated, they were received well. And my friends dad loves his monthly subscription for the traditional e-cards that are available, used them for years and loves sending them. So perhaps now the options for digital cards are expanding, there is something for everyone.
I have tried most of them !! These days, I would rather pay a little more, send a well designed digital card, and enjoy the experience. Itās worth it.
I am so sorry for such a long post! I got a bit carried away. But staying connected when you travel, has been tricky!
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In small/rural areas LaPoste is struggling to provide a customer-friendly personal serviceā¦ much needed in certain out of the way places.
For that reason many people do try and send ātangibleā things which, if handed over the counter, do get noted as a ācustomer serviceā and helps that Agency to meet the ātargetsā necessary to prove their worth and fight-off threats of closure.
I use e-cards occasionally but, more often, I buy actual cards depending on the recipient. Many folk love having a real card to read and stand on their mantle etc whilst others enjoy modern technologyā¦
If I spot exactly the right card for someoneā¦ I buy it in advance and keep it somewhere safe (and often canāt find it when the time comesā¦ ) 
Mind you, if posting, I do allow lots of timeā¦ especially if sending abroad
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To be absolutely honest, I would much rather receive an email or whatsapp from someone than an e-card - it makes me feel like they wanted to get in touch, rather than send something glitzy that they āfoundā on the internet. And we still carefully select physical cards to send those in the same country that we care about - better still include a letter.
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