Word on the street: Have Christmas cards fallen out of fashion?
THE cards many receive at Christmas are a clear marker of the season - its religious roots and perhaps even a temporary form of interior decoration.
But with the plethora of ways to send messages to relatives, loved ones and friends and the cost of even a second class stamp at 75 pence, do people still send cards?
Or can Christmas cheer be spread in other ways?
Border Telegraph reporter Mark Davey went out on the street in Peebles to find out if people are passionate about these messages of joy, here is what they said...
Lynda McLeod, 58, a retired social care worker from Innerleithen, whose furthest sent card goes to Camberley in Surrey, said: “I probably send fewer Christmas cards than in the past but have more than 20 ready to go on their way.
“These are to relatives and friends I don’t see at Christmas.
“I do not use first class stamps at all now, but the Royal Mail does have a huge network across the UK and is good value.
“I also hand deliver about 30 locally.”
Holland and Sherry cleaner Robert Stewart, 19, from Peebles, prefers to wish people he knows “Merry Christmas” personally and said: “I don’t buy any Christmas cards, they are a waste of paper, money and time.
“The cards are just thrown out in January.
“The best part of Christmas is having fun and a drink with the whole family.”
Salim Mohamed, 47, a food and beverage manager at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, from Peebles, said: “I don’t send cards, but even as a Muslim I respect the religious event which is Christmas.
“We give gifts and celebrate.
“I also like the decorations, Christmas markets and the lights plus it is our main season in the hotel trade.”
Liz McIntosh, 67, a support worker from Innerleithen, said: “I have just sent 10 with my furthest going to Tillicoultry.
“I have sent less cards than in the past, partly because of the price of postage and I deliver a further 10 by hand.
“The cost of first and second class stamps is disgusting and shocking.
“I would rather spend an extra pound on a present than a card.”
Retired special needs teacher Denise Lintott, 77, from Broughton said: “I usually send about 40, which has been the same for years, with the furthest going to Australia, Slovakia and the Isle of Man.
“Today the postage price is huge and I think there should be a special offer from the Post Office for Christmas card stamps.
“Recently in Broughton shop I heard people saying they are cutting down on the numbers of cards sent.”
Student nurse Katie Buckingham, 40, from Peebles, mounts a “joint operation” with her husband who handles the IT, printing address labels.
She said: “I post at least 50 to people I do not see.
“The cost of stamps constantly surprises me but my husband is keen to send them although I do the writing.
“I also send cards locally using the scout post, some of which I usually deliver!”
Mike Stark, 88, a retired forestry worker, from Peebles, said: “We send about 80 cards mainly by post which costs a lot more than the first card I sent to my wife Sheila.
“The stamp for that cost tuppence ha’penny (two-and-a-half old pence).
“It was delivered Christmas Day morning by a postie on his bike, who had ridden nearly three miles.”
Nurse Stuart Grant, 51, from Cardona, said: “I send some but it is less and less as the years go on, as I also use messaging and texts with my furthest card going to Penicuik.
“When I was a kid we received 100s.
“Recently in Costco the cost of bulk buying stamps was a real eye opener.”
Stephen Mathison, 56, the proprietor of Off the Back Barbers in Peebles, said: “I send about 40 cards, the furthest going to Melbourne, Australia.
“My cards are sent with a combination of posting and hand delivered, you just have to accept the cost of postage.
“People don’t send as many and I also message people 'Happy Christmas' on Facebook."
Gwen Owen, 57, a sports and remedial therapist, who has moved to Broughton, said: “I don’t send cards except one to my mother-in-law.
“I don’t do gifts either but give donations to charities which this year will include: Crisis, Save the Children, Barnardo's and a Women’s Refuge.
“Giving is the truest meaning of Christmas.”
Groundworker Michael Hewitson, 17, from Tweedsmuir recalled Tweeddale MP David Mundell’s school Christmas card competition which encouraged him to design and send cards.
He said: “I perhaps send the odd few, maybe four cards a year.
“The best part of Christmas is spending time with my family.”
Maltese sous chef Jasmine Aquilina, 28, who works at The Horseshoe Inn and lives in Peebles, said: “I will send a few cards to my family and to Malta.
“Otherwise I love the food of Christmas, the colours, decorations and lights."
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