Are you sending Christmas cards this year?

Do you like sending and receiving Christmas cards?

Christmas is often described as the season of giving but what about Christmas cards?

Cards aren't as popular as they used to be - perhaps because people choose to send greetings over social media instead, environmental concerns about using paper, and the cost of postage.

Although Christmas cards are still very popular in the UK many people are abandoning the long-held festive tradition.

But we want to know if you still like to make or send Christmas cards?

Let us know using our voting tool below.

Why do we send Christmas cards?

Don't forget to post your cards in plenty of time!

In 1843, a well-known civil-servant, educator and inventor called Sir Henry Cole was behind the first printed Christmas card.

During the festive period, he received a lot of well-wishes from friends and acquaintances.

However, he had very little time to respond to them all individually so he asked a friend and artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card to mass produce and send to multiple people.

He also decided to sell the cards to the public.

About 1,000 were made costing a shilling to buy - which was actually a lot of money at the time (5p in today's money).

How many Christmas cards are sent every year?

Do you take time to make cards for special people in your life?

The Royal Mail estimates around 150 million Christmas cards are delivered each year, and with the extra workload from online present buying, the company say they have to recruit 16,000 extra staff to help during the festive period.

Of course, many cards are hand delivered, including those you send to your school teachers and classmates.

It is thought people are now opting to send fewer cards, but make a special effort for the ones they do send.

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Lisa Lort-Johnson, who is head of buying at books and crafts shop, The Works, said they are noticing this shift in people's buying habits.

"We think the cost of postage may mean shoppers are sending fewer cards and instead taking the time to make personalised creations for their closest friends and family".

Do you spend time making special cards for family or friends? Let us know using the comments section below.