Cyber Poems

Paper Xmas cards (also do not forget envelopes) destroy virtually 1000s of woodlands year after year. A few, but surely not all, Christmas stationery will be produced from sustainable forests and ethical production. But at the same time, every person who sympathizes with our planet will perhaps have thought the zillions of tons of paper wasted and then rapidly thrown-away every holiday season. People may not be capable to get distant from paper use at Christmas completely but if everybody chooses to send a couple of e-cards instead of their paper like that would give an opportunity to save numerous lands of trees. With a little of creative thinking and some effort, online Xmas cards for sure may be fun to create and even more fun to receive them at the same time.

Many people with family dispersed around the globe take Christmas as an opportunity to update everyone. Sending a family photo is a tradition for some families, and a way of sending something that will be valued and kept, rather than almost immediately consigned to the trash. A good photo, perhaps one that recipients can display in a digital photo frame, is a simple e-card solution that can have more meaning than disposable printed scenes of snowmen and wise men.

If you want to up your game, consider a slide show, created in a program like Powerpoint. You can add sound to create a memorable Christmas greeting that is multi-dimensional and personal. A video clip can serve a similar purpose. You don’t have to mail the clip. If you have a website (and if you don’t, there are easy ways to set up free websites) you can post it there and mail people the link or url.

Cards don’t have to be primarily visual. A musical card, with the selection tailored to the recipient’s taste, can give huge pleasure. (Just beware of copyright infringements). Another ‘cultural card’ idea relies on the fact that many thousands of artworks, such as paintings, are not subject to copyright. Many classical artworks and old masters are not only visually beautiful (in a way that your average kitsch printed card just can’t ever be) but are also in keeping with the themes of the Christmas season.

E-cards are not totally without a carbon footprint but for sure they’re much greener than a few different choices - and they will also help to save you sending costs. As a final flourish, and in the spirit of the Festive season, you may at the same time think of giving away your savings on paper Christmas cards to some charitable cause.