21 Nov. 2023: It is estimated that UK consumers send 1 billion Christmas cards each year. Although these cards can be both biodegradable and easily recyclable, they can also be the product of deforestation or poor forestry practices, if they are not sourced responsibly.

You might be thinking that we should be cutting down on the number of Christmas cards we send to save paper but we are a nation of card lovers in the UK, we send more per head than any other nation! Whilst it’s much easier to send Christmas well wishes digitally these days, we still love sending and receiving Christmas cards. Research by Oxfam found that nine out of ten people in the UK prefer to receive a real Christmas card instead of a text or email. Although they seem like a small gesture, a lot of effort goes into choosing, writing, and posting a card.

Digital messages just don’t seem to be able to replace that warm fuzzy feeling of reading a handwritten message from friends and family near and far. Plus, many of us like to use the cards we receive as Christmas decorations – and you definitely can’t do that with an email or a text!

Choose forest friendly cards this Christmas
So, at FSC UK, we want to ensure that, if you do choose to send Christmas cards, that you choose FSC-certified cards (or materials, if you’re into making your own Christmas cards) to help to take care of forests, and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

All you have to do is look out for the FSC tick tree logo, this ensures the cards are made with materials from responsibly managed forests and/or recycled sources.

Take the FSC Christmas Card Pledge
We have one simple ask this year, choose FSC-certified cards to spread forest friendly Christmas cheer!

We are asking people to take the pledge to buy FSC-certified cards, or FSC-certified materials to make Christmas cards, this year to help support responsible forestry.

If you take the pledge, and send us a photo of one of the FSC-certified cards you’re sending, you’ll be entered into our giveaway to win a £100 John Lewis gift card.

How to take part:
1. Take the pledge to buy FSC-certified Christmas cards or make your own using FSC-certified materials by signing up here (we'll then send you some tips on how to have a more forest friendly Christmas)

2. To enter the giveaway, you will also need to tag us in a photo on Facebook (@FSC UK) or Instagram (@foreststewardshipcounciluk) to show us the FSC-certified cards you’re going to send before 2 January, and use the hashtag #FSCXmasPledge.

3. Remember to recycle your Christmas cards after the big day is over! Shockingly, only one out of every four Christmas cards is recycled. Recycling your cards makes the best use of the tree, reduces the amount of waste going to landfill and helps to reduce the demand on the world’s forests.