Most of the year the majority of us do our communicating electronically, with emails, facebook, twitter and other social networks taking the place of letters and in some cases even phone calls, but there is still one time of year when we all rely on the good old Royal Mail.
Whilst some people have started to turn to e-cards the vast majority of us still feel that sending a card in the post us the only acceptable way of sending seasons greetings.
We buy boxes and boxes of cards every year and spend whole days slavishly composing messages, licking snd sticking envelopes and writing addresses of sometimes literally hundreds of cards, often to people that we've not actually spoken to for years. Its actually almost become a competition, with the more organised among us racing to be the first to get theirs sorted and sent!
This year, however, the joy of sending messages of goodwill will be tainted for many people. The cost of stamps rose significantly this summer, with a second class stamp rising from 36p to 50p, and a first class stamp went up from 46p to 60p. If the average person sends over 50 cards, thats a total cost of £30, even second class!
So well done to the Post Office; they have just launched a new promotion allowing people on certain benefits to buy books of stamps at 2011 prices.
From now until Christmas Eve recipients of Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Allowance can buy up to 36 stamps in either books of 6 or 12, saving them over £5
Simply take proof of your benefit in the form of a letter from DWP or your Post Office Account Book and complete one of the special vouchers available from the Post Office (or online from www.royalmail.com/stampoffer) to the counter to get your reduced price stamps.
T's and C's do apply, so check the back of the voucher or ask at the counter to be sure.
If you want to know the last date for posting your letters, check out our new blog - Last Posting Dates for Christmas 2012 in Heanor and Ripley
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