Something around the corner

[penguy]

Do you send out Christmas cards? If so when do you start? Do you use Christmas stamps?  Seeing stores already putting out Christmas displays got me wondering.  In the States we celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Those of you outside of the U.S. do you celebrate the equivalent?

[radellaf]

I have done it in the past, and used either carnation international stamps or, I think, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stamps. Not that I have a problem with Christmas ones... I did get the elves stamps (last?) year, might go with those, so cute. Elf + $1 for int'l? Double elf plus additional ounce? (darn I miss the hares, vs school bus).

Dunno about this Christmas. I may go with some actual.. cards (online mail service, sent with boring stamps probably), vs a letter. If it's more than a few sentences it'll be easier to actually get it done.  So, if I do that, finish in less than a week, I guess like 1st week of December.  Not gonna be a turkey and do it before thanksgiving.

[although]

I still have some Christmas stamps from last year

[Mia]

Royal Mail issues Christmas stamps within the first week of November. This year's theme is Cathedrals and will be out on 5th November. Images not yet released but I expect will appear somewhere this week. I shall probably get some, but really really don't need to buy more postage stamps.

I do like sending out Christmas cards, although look generally for ones with "Season's Greetings" with a wintery scene, or something that also says "Happy New Year" but don't see much of that sentiment on its own. I buy most of my cards from charity shops (and usually just after Christmas). I am an atheist but do like sending/receiving cards. I'll use whatever stamps scream at me wanting to be used, be they Christmas or not.

I will start sending cards out in November as I reply to letters internationally, although I've missed the recommended send by date for many of the international economy destinations. I'm saving a grand total of 20p per outside of Europe missive via the international economy rate, but more often than not, the post hasn't been noticeably slower arriving via that rate. If the card says "Season's Greetings" well, perhaps it doesn't really matter when it arrives though I'm quite amused with some of the cards I've received from Australia - sunny summery Santa scenes!

Perhaps a bit late for another round of international travelling Christmas cards, but still time for domestic ones (UK, US, Germany).

Some of rural areas, especially agricultural, will have harvest festivals. Listen to The Archers (long running agricultural soap opera on the radio)! Although I haven't for a while, I think Brookfield hosts the Ambridge harvest festival dinner.

[ginny]

I will add Christmas greetings to my letters most likely from mid-November on, depending on where the letters will travel. I have received my first Christmas card for 2024 last week, along with a letter - my penpal said that she knew it was early, but she'll be travelling in November and didn't want to send cards separately in December (expensive!)...

I won't get any 'extra' stamps for Christmas, I'll just use what I have. I always get commemorative / special issue stamps, so it's not that I'd bore my penpals with plain old standard stuff, anyway

[distractedmom]

Costco tried to sell me Christmas stamps last week!

[sunshine2170]

I do send out Christmas cards. When I wasnt working full time I would start making my own Christmas cards in February because I would send out 100s of cards, so the production line had to start early in the year as posting around the world began in November.

Nowadays I will just buy commercial ones as my craft room is a disaster and has turned into a storage room.

I will start sending around November when I can buy Christmas cards in the stores.

[triptychofthevoid]

I'm planning on sending out my first batch of Christmas cards this year! I've never had the chance to do it before, and have found some cards I really like!

[Mia]

First two cards have been sent!

[Gilly]

I popped into my local post office today and the stamps i was given were Christmas ones so i'm going to be making a start very soon, in next week or so, on writing cards out.

[Mia]

A few more cards were posted yesterday.

[triptychofthevoid]

What do people think is the best time to start posting them out? I don't really know when it's considered acceptable to receive a Christmas card.

[Mia]

I wasn't going to start sending domestic cards this month/November, just the internationals (especially as I use the international economy rate for letters outside of Europe). However, as I have written a couple of letters to UK-based peeps, I've decided to save on postage and include a card with the letter.

Some houses nearby already have Christmas decorations up, with illuminated outside things too. Does feel a bit early, but then, pretty lights can brighten up the dark days.

The earliest I've received a deliberate early sending of a card was in an October, but I totally understand the reasons for it. Otherwise, I think the latter half of November would normally be fine.

[allanorn]

Nov 13, 2024 10:04:59 GMT triptychofthevoid said:

What do people think is the best time to start posting them out? I don't really know when it's considered acceptable to receive a Christmas card.

I usually target an early-mid December arrival for international cards. Domestically in the US, mail will get to where it needs to within a week so they can wait a little longer.

I started a bit earlier for 2020 because of the disruptions to flights; some mail was going overseas by boat.

[Mia]

First card received earlier in the week, and one more yesterday.