Seen It All Now – Bah Humbug

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Unusually organised for me I posted all my Christmas cards by the end of last week – most by post, a few local ones by hand.

With my caving-club practically out of use due to The Plague, I had to post a few more than usual, those that otherwise would be in the decorated "post-box" in the Club lounge for exchanges between members.

Among them, is one couple with whom I have exchanged cards for years.

Until this year. This evening a strange e-mail arrived purportedly from a Jacquie Lawson.

Who?

I nearly blocked it as spam until a second look showed it was genuine and from this couple – but at mouse-lead length.

There is no Jacquie. "She" is an outfit that avoids your friends(?) having the onerous task of hand-writing individual cards, and the cost of posting them, by offering an electronic "card" with cheesy CAD pictures and a text-box. The recipient is offered a reply box. I gritted my teeth and sent back a thank-you, but I was not impressed.

I wondered if this cynical ploy would allow you to send the same to any number all in one go by omitting the recipients' names.

Impersonal? Insincere? Cheapskate?

I am not sure whether to be delighted or insulted, and not only because the couple concerned are a darn sight better-off than I.

'

The RNLI won't be helped either because the two had habitually bought their cards from the charity. I wonder if they appreciate the irony that the card they received from me this Christmas, with a lifeboat-themed Giles cartoon, was from the same source.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

'Tis the season to be cheerful. To each his own. Some people seem to find Jacqui Lawson's work fascinating and "modern". Others not so much so, obviously.

And just think about all the trees saved by not making all those cards. And the fossil fuel to deliver them. And the melting of the polar ice caps and Santa's elves sweating in their little green arctic suits…

 

Edited By Hopper on 17/12/2020 23:22:08

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

The problem here, is a culture of high expectations, over the years, I've very carefully crafted an aura of low expectations, had Jacquie done the same, you would have been excited at the mere fact she'd made the effort to send an email, it takes years of hard work to achieve this, sounds like Jacquie has some work to do!

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

A few years ago when such things had just been invented they charged the sender but then the recipient had to sign up to their website to recieve the card – thus providing more data to sell.

[Anonymous]

Living under lock-down in the worst-hit CV-19 area of Canada; being nearly 80 and having "underlying medical conditions" (several levels of heart condition plus chemotherapy which compromises the immune system), I had no intention of going to some store and flipping through cards that have been handled by who-knows-who.

So it was my intention not to send any this year (bah humbug). I'm certain all my usual recipients would understand. My wife was upset though so we hit on the Jacquie Lawson compromise (which we've received from others for years on various occasions).

I make no apologies.

If others don't think it's right for them, more power to them. I wouldn't dream of criticising. For me, it's the right thing at the right time.

Incidentally: Jacquie Lawson

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Interesting data from Sweden who have no lockdowns

Over 90% of Covid-related deaths have been among those aged 70 and over, and nearly half of all Covid deaths have been in care homes, the government says.

**LINK**

There are about 9 million folk 70+ in the uk

Edited By Ady1 on 18/12/2020 02:34:58

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

I can't avoid pointing out that while Sweden does have a higher Covid case number/population than us it also has a lower death rate/population.

As for christmas cards – just think how many are going to be stuck down with saliva…..

We send heaps of other stuff electronically so I see little difference in cards going the same way. A quick search for public domain christmas pics gives anyone without the artistry to create their own plenty of choice.

I was brought up with the tradition of my mum baking czech style christmas biscuits laid out on trays for friends and visitors over the festive season. She has long passed on but I brought back the tradition last year and baked heaps of the things this year with intention to give friends and neighbours parcels of them – before realising that folk are going to be chary of such gifts with Covid about. It's going to take my OH many months to get through them…

pgk

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

About six years ago my wife and I bit the bullet and decided enough was enough. We made the decision not to send any further cards in future and that year included a small message within each card to that effect. The cost in postage alone could be spent far more wisely we felt so each year since an equivalent cost has been sent to the Salvation Army. No we are not 'religious' people but the 'Sally Army' does do good things for those less fortunate and especially at this time of the year.

The deciding factor for us was at a model club meeting! There were two members sat there writing out cards for whoever came into the room. Efficiency at its best I suppose you could say but the irony of the situation struck a chord – if you missed the meeting you didn't get a card.

There are one or two very special people to whom we send cards but we've stuck to our guns – we still get them popped through the door by neighbours and still occasionally by post though despite our bah humbug approach.

Now – don't get me going on 'glitter' that's another real bone of contention

Happy Xmas everyone

Ramon (Tug)

[Guy LambParticipant @guylamb68056]

In these very tense and uncertain times, I for one will be going into self enforced lockdown in my workshop and not emerging until this dark pestilential cloud has passed. I am of course talking about Christmas!

Guy

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Interesting ! – the lady in question was an acquaintance some time back and the original scenes and animals depicted were from 'live' subjects. The business has expanded enormously and (I understand) Jacqui was 'taken over' during the process. I suspect that, like most such transitions, the original ethos has been lost to modern commercial practice. We lived on the other side of 'The Green' which features and, ME-wise, John Wilding lives close by.

Re. Xmas, loathe it, personally, but m'lady is a fan, 'so needs must …'

For various reasons, roll on 2021!

rgds

Bill

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Posted by pgk pgk on 18/12/2020 04:29:34:

I can't avoid pointing out that while Sweden does have a higher Covid case number/population than us it also has a lower death rate/population.

pgk

It also has a poulation density of 25 per square kilometer rather than 275 /km2 so you would expect a slower intrinsic infection rate without restrictions.

regards Martin

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Pgk Pgk – I do like that Czech biscuits tradition – though yes, not ideal this year.

At least I post nothing "stuck down with saliva", though I am not too afraid of that. The glue tastes horrible, so I moisten it with a finger-tip dipped in water. Clean, so no cutting-oil. Or germs..

'

Oh – don't get me wrong.

Anything that helps someone for genuine health or financial reasons is fine, but that was not the situation here, and that is why it upset me.

I had taken the trouble and cost to send a card to a couple a lot richer than me, and they'd responded in a way I thought shallow and insincere.

I know many people now have cut right back on cards, by mutual agreement. Fine. I would rather though, receive an individual e-mail instead, perhaps with a photo (especially if one they had taken), than something from some exploitative agency.

I did not know this Lawson outfit has been around for some while. It was the first time I had seen it. It did not demand signing-in or an " account " to read the card and respond; but no, I most certainly will not subscribe to it. I wondered if that would cost more than a few boxes of cards from Wilkos and a couple of books of 2nd hand stamps – which I do not begrudge. Anyway, if the agency makes its money from selling users' date maybe it doesn't need to charge users.

If I do send " e-cards " in future I will use my own photos and send them individually. Certainly not through an outfit like JL.

Besides, you can't hang an agency e-mail up among the decorations!

I have reduced my card costs in one way. I have long sent close friends humorous ones relevant to them, but these are not cheap so have reduced the number, or instead buy sets of more general humorous ones such as those from the RNLI, and send them selectively to the same people. I am an RNLI Supporter anyway so don't begrudge buying cards from its shop.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

My wife deals with Christmas cards, I have never sent one to anyone. Finally got Christmas desecration’s out and as we are looking after sons kitten this could be very entertaining, my sisters Bengals are expert Christmas tree climbers/destroyers, mustn’t let the kitten see the videos but I think she probably knows already that decorations are for cat entertainment.

Mike

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

I've finally managed to opt out of anything to do with Christmas, apart from monetary gifts to the grandchildren. Instead I leave all the mercenary stuff to SWMBO whilst saying that it's all a big con perpetrated by people who only want to separate you from your money.

Now ok, you may think I'm a big grump, which of course I am, but really, what happens to the cards? They all end up in the recycling bin! And then those people you haven't communicated with for 12 months all recede back into the background. But, of course, there's another thing. At my age, how many of my contempories are still around? Wouldn't a quick 'phone call be better? But maybe not if their ailments are as bad as mine!

Oh well, back to the coffee. And the forum. And the tv ogling.

Peter G. Shaw

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Myself and a friend have two Xmas Cards that have been sent between us for at least twelve years. we send them one year then return them the next. We don't think we're tight what with the cost of postage and envelopes.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

At the risk of being thought a Grinch, Christmas has bee overtaken by commercial pressures to buy things that are probably unwanted and not needed.

This year, we shall have to be content with minimal contact, and making telephone calls to those on their own.

So

Merry Christmas and a Much Happier New Year to all our readers!

Howard

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Posted by Martin Kyte on 18/12/2020 09:53:19:

It also has a poulation density of 25 per square kilometer rather than 275 /km2 so you would expect a slower intrinsic infection rate without restrictions.

regards Martin

Indeed but like here most folk still live in popultion centres albeit smaller ones.
Take Wales for an example – supposedly very high covid rates because the major population is Swansea, Cardiff and up by Colwyn. Wife and I share a couple of squares kilometer out here in the sticks apart from a P3 filter on supply runs and plan on keeping it that way.

Nigel Graham 2

Czech biccy recipes are on-line – easy to do just a bit of a fiddle with the traditional shapes. I modified the recipes to make them vegan for OH

A pic from last year although this year I added to the varieties:

pgk

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember12892]

[This posting has been removed]

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

So this person is just charging to send an email, presumably with a picture?

I think it would be far more sensible in that case to commission a local artist, even a family child for pocket money, to provide a picture with some particular relevance to you that you send out.
An artist friend has a few of her own still lifes printed each year as her card and I have kept them as they are rather good and not just the normal mass product.
I do send cards to about a dozen old friends with a letter and additional hand written content. It is a way of keeping in touch. I am less enthusiastic about receiving ones with just a scribbled name when I'd actually like them to include their name, address, email, phone 'cos I lost that five years ago.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Bazyle on 18/12/2020 16:26:32:

So this person is just charging to send an email, presumably with a picture?

[…]

.

An animation, with musical accompaniment

MichaelG.

.

ferinstance : https://www.jacquielawson.com/sendcard/preview?cont=1&hdn=9&fldCard=3475686&path=83542&pmode=init

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 18/12/2020 17:12:15

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Peter –

Our family had already cut down quite a bit even before Covid, and years ago started spreading the visits around quite a bit, which makes the whole thing longer-lasting and a lot calmer so more enjoyable.

I'm also in the fortunate position that most of my card exchanges are with people I do keep in contact with more than just once a year.

At least what TV ogling I do is only that which occurs when I visit my sisters, as I have no telly! It would not worry me one bit if they did not switch it on; but I know where I'd rather be than staring at some Christmas edition of EastEnders or Midwives, and that's where you are in your profile photo!!

+++

Pgk pgk –

They look delicious – I'll have to try and find the recipes!

===

Bazyle, Michael –

I don't know whom this Jacquie Lawson person / company charges, nor how much, but I can't help thinking if you are going to use e-posts instead of physical cards, a personal message with one of your own photos attached would be more thoughtful and more appreciated.

++++

Going to be an odd Christmas. I think I will be on my own as my sisters' own families take priority in all this ' bubbles ' thing (why are aren't we allowed to use the long-established 'circles' ?).

One of my sisters and she told me she had a Christmas Day alone once, and found it quite relaxing. " What did you do? " I asked.

"Went into work for a few hours in the morning to do the cleaning because the regular cleaner was off sick, and spent the afternoon after lunch with wine and four films in a row".

I observed there can't be many people who can claim to have celebrated Christmas morning by voluntarily cleaning the crematorium where they normally work (as an administrator).

"Oh, I quite enjoyed it, " she said, "I was on my own, and I put the music on."

While watching my lathe creeping along on self-act on very low speed on a fairly delicate set-up this evening, I decided that I could spend Christmas morning in the workshop, have something of a Christmas lunch then just hibernate over a beer or two.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 18/12/2020 22:13:37:

.

Bazyle, Michael –

I don't know whom this Jacquie Lawson person / company charges, nor how much, but I can't help thinking if you are going to use e-posts instead of physical cards, a personal message with one of your own photos attached would be more thoughtful and more appreciated.

++++

.

I am but an innocent conveyor of information, Nigel

Bazyle had presumably missed the link which Peter Greene posted earlier

…. it contains many sample ‘cards’ and the prices.

My only ‘involvement’ is that we receive JL ‘cards’ from my Aunt … at Easter, on our Wedding Anniversary, and at Christmas each year. She previously made her own cards, but is now not well-enough to do so.

We welcome them in the spirit in which they are sent.

MichaelG.

.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 18/12/2020 22:40:51

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Just a bit more info on (the rapidly becoming infamous) Jacqui Lawson service. I use the service, not ashamed to admit it, for about eight years now. It's convenient, saves trees, and for me is cheaper overall than buying and posting traditional cards. It costs me £23 for two years, which allows me to send unlimited cards – not just Christmas, but birthdays, etc. It costs nothing for the recipient to view their card, or to send a Thank You note in reply. Don't have to worry about posting early for overseas friends and relatives either

When sending cards to the members of the club of which I am secretary, I just send a card to myself, then copy the link for viewing it into a normal email that then goes to the members. This avoids their email addresses being entered on the JL site which, I feel, is more secure and protects their privacy, not to mention easier for myself as there's best part of a hundred of them.

And some of the cards are really quite nice – not just a static picture of a tree or something, they are animated with music, and some allow the playing of interactive games – nice for the youngsters.

No connection other than as a satisfied customer.

Rob

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Nigel,

That photo was taken 7 years ago at Grosmont – I forget what the loco was (B something or other) – on the occasion of my 70th birthday and just prior to taking the Moorlander to/back Pickering. The person in the background is my elder son who knew the footplate crew, hence the invite onto the footplate. Son is now the chairman of Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

The big trouble these days is that whereas years ago I used to be able to ignore the cold, I no longer can, hence workshop activities tend to stop whilst tv ogling tends to increase. (Doesn't say much for me does it.)

But yes, I know what you mean.

Peter G. Shaw

[Author]

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