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MountainMonk89 · 51-55, M
tornado · 56-60, M
@MountainMonk89 hooray
ArishMell · 70-79, M
My circles of friends, and my relatives, still exchange cards; but I know many have cut down because the total for the cards and stamps can be steep.
Actually the cost of an individual letter stamp for posting within the UK is very low considering it can cover any distance from the next street to the furthest of the Shetland Isles, but the total for a sizeable batch seems high, especially to those who want owt for nowt!
I still counted about 30 exchanged cards last year though, so few of my contacts have reduced the number.
I used to pick out humorous ones particularly relevant to their intended recipients, but those are the more expensive so I now go mainly for the lower-cost boxed sets.
'
Last year I had one "card" from a couple I've known for many years, but in an odd digital form I found really rather hurtful.
I first thought it an unsolicited advertisement but I don't normally receive them. So then thought fraud attempt. Then I spotted their names and twigged the truth. The couple had used some tacky web-site that creates an e-post "card" by tacking a picture and generic greeting to a simple form in which the sender enters the names.
It looked cheap and worse, felt cheap - "Happy Christmas by 'Access' ".
Previously, they'd always bought cards that supported the RNLI charity, which I also support, so were doing that no longer.
I was tempted to send a terse "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, xxxx and vvvvv, from [Arish]" e-post with an attached Winter-scene photo I'd taken; but decided I am above that - and pointedly sent a proper card from the RNLI shop.
Actually the cost of an individual letter stamp for posting within the UK is very low considering it can cover any distance from the next street to the furthest of the Shetland Isles, but the total for a sizeable batch seems high, especially to those who want owt for nowt!
I still counted about 30 exchanged cards last year though, so few of my contacts have reduced the number.
I used to pick out humorous ones particularly relevant to their intended recipients, but those are the more expensive so I now go mainly for the lower-cost boxed sets.
'
Last year I had one "card" from a couple I've known for many years, but in an odd digital form I found really rather hurtful.
I first thought it an unsolicited advertisement but I don't normally receive them. So then thought fraud attempt. Then I spotted their names and twigged the truth. The couple had used some tacky web-site that creates an e-post "card" by tacking a picture and generic greeting to a simple form in which the sender enters the names.
It looked cheap and worse, felt cheap - "Happy Christmas by 'Access' ".
Previously, they'd always bought cards that supported the RNLI charity, which I also support, so were doing that no longer.
I was tempted to send a terse "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, xxxx and vvvvv, from [Arish]" e-post with an attached Winter-scene photo I'd taken; but decided I am above that - and pointedly sent a proper card from the RNLI shop.
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ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@ArishMell Luckily for me there is no car tax on my car. At the moment EVs are exempt. And we have a different system for collecting it anyway; the insurance companies are responsible for collecting the road tax so it just adds to the monthly bill for insurance. This also means that you can't get one without the other.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@ninalanyon EVs are exempt from Road Fund Licence in the UK to... at the moment! They will have to do somethibng about that eventually I suppose.
We can't obtain the licence either, without proof of valid insurance and (if applicable) the MoT, but what is odd that although the PO can verify the insurance it still needs see the MoT certificate. You'd think if the licence agency can let the PO verify one, it can do it for both!
We can't obtain the licence either, without proof of valid insurance and (if applicable) the MoT, but what is odd that although the PO can verify the insurance it still needs see the MoT certificate. You'd think if the licence agency can let the PO verify one, it can do it for both!
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@ArishMell The difference here is that it is all integrated and done the other way around. The insurance company checks the MoT (EU prøve) and pays the road fund licence for you.
It's good to hear that the UK is encouraging EVs a little bt exempting them from the road fund. But I heard that the grant for EVs has gone down to 1500 pounds which isn't very encouraging.
Here EVs are exempt from all the new car taxes and those are especially high in Norway
It's good to hear that the UK is encouraging EVs a little bt exempting them from the road fund. But I heard that the grant for EVs has gone down to 1500 pounds which isn't very encouraging.
Here EVs are exempt from all the new car taxes and those are especially high in Norway
SW-User
Today, I tried to send a card to my friend in Australia. I promised her I'd send one. I got told Australia isn't allowing them, unless I wish to send it express... at about $50-$60. I am told it's because of covid, but wouldn't that mean price is not the issue?
I am going to see if there is some other way to make her Christmas a little better.
It's been a good day, but this really makes me sad.
I am going to see if there is some other way to make her Christmas a little better.
It's been a good day, but this really makes me sad.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@SW-User Not sure if it's correct but I think I saw that the US Postal service was refusing to send airmail to Australia and several other countries because of the lack of capacity in air transport. Apparently a lot of such traffic goes on passenger aircraft and of course many of them are not flying just now.
SW-User
@ninalanyon Not sure...I only know I was told it was because of covid, but...could send it still if I wished to pay the price.
Peaches · F
I have sent them for so long now without receiving very many in return. 😐 It's gotten expensive, so I didn't send any for the first time this year. I used to love taping them on the door. On the old EP we used to be able to send greeting cards to each other. 💓🤗💌It would be nice to see that here.
Fluffybull · F
Sunshinekiss · 51-55, F
@Fluffybull I had forgotten about the MYSTERY CARD. We got one every year.
Sunshinekiss · 51-55, F
SW-User
@Sunshinekiss A great idea! Maybe even make your own Christmas cards with the pictures.
Glossy · F
These days, a lot of people send electronic Christmas cards by email. You still have to buy them (they only cost a few pence) but when you receive one it looks like you’ve got a personalised animation from Pixar, just for you.
https://www.jacquielawson.com/cards/christmas
Jacqui Lawson is a fine example of this art.
Follow the above link and then “Preview this card” on the right…
https://www.jacquielawson.com/cards/christmas
Jacqui Lawson is a fine example of this art.
Follow the above link and then “Preview this card” on the right…
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Glossy That's the name.. Jacquie Lawson.
I received one of them last year from a couple with whom I've exchanged cards for years, and even better they normally bought ones supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
I wondered what it was at first. I thought it was some elaborate scam until I spotted my and their names, saw the Lawson name and realised what this was.
I felt rather hurt. Just so impersonal. Greetings almost by database and mail-merge tacked onto a computer-art picture. Indeed, knowing my friend's professional background that would not surprise me. No effort. No thought. Just enter the name and press [Enter]. Friendship by numbers and menus.
Tempted to reply likewise though at least by an e-post message with some scenic photo I had taken, I thought better of being petty and sent a proper card. An RNLI one think, as I have just posted to them this year!
I received one of them last year from a couple with whom I've exchanged cards for years, and even better they normally bought ones supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
I wondered what it was at first. I thought it was some elaborate scam until I spotted my and their names, saw the Lawson name and realised what this was.
I felt rather hurt. Just so impersonal. Greetings almost by database and mail-merge tacked onto a computer-art picture. Indeed, knowing my friend's professional background that would not surprise me. No effort. No thought. Just enter the name and press [Enter]. Friendship by numbers and menus.
Tempted to reply likewise though at least by an e-post message with some scenic photo I had taken, I thought better of being petty and sent a proper card. An RNLI one think, as I have just posted to them this year!
SageWanderer · 70-79, M
testbutton · 51-55, M
Good for you. :-) It's a great thing to do. Sadly, life has been crazy and by the time I remember, it's too late to send them. :-(
You're right @Sunshinekiss, but it feels tacky fo them to arrive after Christmas... :-S
Sunshinekiss · 51-55, F
@VeronicaJane I've sent them late, as they say better late than never. Also the Holidays last until Epiphany on January 6th in my culture.
Fluffybull · F
@VeronicaJane Send a New Year card 😊👍
Keepitsimple · 51-55, F
I stopped. It took a lot of time because I had a lot and people don’t send them so I figured I’ll save the money.
SW-User
Wanna get married?
Sunshinekiss · 51-55, F
SW-User
@Sunshinekiss Glad to know you're committed to forming a happy union with me, forever. We should set a date.
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