Alternative to Christmas cards: send a charity ecard or donate instead

Not everyone sends Christmas cards. Whether you're looking to save time, reduce waste or support a cause you care about, there are meaningful alternatives that can help you stay connected during the festive season.

Why are people choosing alternatives to Christmas cards? 

More people are exploring alternatives to Christmas cards as they look for ways to celebrate the festive season in a way that aligns with their budget, values and lifestyle. 

Whether that's sending a charity eCard, donating instead of sending cards or combining both approaches, there are plenty of meaningful ways to share Christmas wishes. 

Reach people anywhere 

Whether someone lives overseas, is spending Christmas away from home or is in hospital, digital greetings can ensure your festive message still reaches them. 

Reflect your values 

For some people, Christmas is an opportunity to support causes they care about while connecting with loved ones. 

Save money 

If you want to send Christmas greetings to more people than your budget allows, charity eCards or a single donation can be more cost-effective than buying cards, stamps and envelopes. 

Reduce waste 

Many people are looking for more sustainable ways to celebrate. Digital Christmas greetings eliminate the need for paper, packaging and postage. 

Save time 

Writing, addressing and posting dozens of cards can take hours during an already busy season. Digital alternatives can be sent in minutes. 

Send a charity Christmas eCard 

If you'd still like to send a festive greeting, a charity Christmas eCard - Kindness Gifted - offers the best of both worlds. 

You can share a personal message while supporting people facing crisis and hardship around the world. 

The British Red Cross Christmas eCard is a thoughtful digital gift that helps support people affected by climate-related emergencies. It allows you to personalise your message while turning a festive greeting into something that makes a real difference. 

Our Kindness Gifted range also allows you to choose a donation for a specific cause including climate change, people in crisis in the UK, and refugee support. 

Why choose a charity eCard? 

• Personalised festive message 
• No paper or postage required 
• Instant delivery 
• Suitable for friends and family anywhere in the world 
• Supports vital humanitarian work 
• Donate to a specific cause

Explore our Christmas eCards 

Make a donation instead of sending Christmas cards 

Another popular option is to donate the money you would have spent on Christmas cards. 

A one-off donation to the British Red Cross helps people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies in the UK and around the world. 

Many people choose to replace the cost of cards and stamps with a donation and then send their festive greetings by email, text message or social media. 

Make a Christmas donation now 

Support a specific appeal 

Christmas can also be a time to support causes that have particularly resonated with you throughout the year. 

Whether you're passionate about emergency response, community resilience or helping families through difficult times, donating to a specific appeal can be a meaningful way to mark the festive season. 

Explore our current appeals 

Combine cards, eCards and donations 

You don't have to choose just one option. 

Many people send traditional Christmas cards to close family and friends while using charity eCards or donating in place of sending cards more widely. This allows you to keep cherished traditions while maximising your charitable impact. 

How to tell people you've donated instead of sending cards 

If you've chosen to donate rather than send traditional cards, you can still share the same festive goodwill. 

Keep the personal message 

The message is often the most important part of a Christmas card. Send your greetings by email, text or social media and include your usual Christmas wishes. 

Mention the donation 

You can explain that, instead of sending cards this year, you've chosen to support a cause you care about. 

Use social media 

A festive social media post can be a simple way to reach friends, family and acquaintances all at once. 

Example messages 

"Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. Instead of sending cards this year, we've made a donation to the British Red Cross to help people facing crisis around the world." 

"Season's greetings from our family to yours. This year we've chosen a charity eCard instead of a traditional card and supported people affected by emergencies." 

"Merry Christmas and best wishes for the year ahead. We've swapped paper cards for a charitable donation this year and wanted to send our festive wishes your way." 

Prefer traditional Christmas cards? 

Sending Christmas cards remains a festive tradition enjoyed by millions of people. The British Red Cross has offered charity Christmas cards for decades, helping supporters share festive greetings while raising funds for humanitarian work. 

Browse our collection of Christmas cards for 2026