Charity Christmas cards

All RSPB charity Christmas cards are foil and glitter-free, and fully recyclable.

If you're not getting your cards from us, those containing glitter, foil or plastic decorations will not be recyclable.

The best time to send Christmas cards is the first week of December. If you're ordering your Christmas cards online, do this around 4 to 6 weeks before the festive season begins.

The sending of Christmas cards is a festive tradition we're all familiar with, and it's a lovely way to show friends and family you are thinking of them during the festive season. As we get older it's often hard to find the time to keep in touch, and although nowadays it's much easier to communicate via social media and messaging apps, it's extra special to take the time to choose a card and write a personal note to the important people in your life.

The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843. Sir Henry Cole, along with his artist friend John Horsley, started the tradition.

The RSPB produced the first-ever charity Christmas card in 1898, selling 4,500 that year. These days they are as popular as ever, selling about 2 ½ million each year and raising vital funds for our conservation work. Our range of eco-friendly Christmas cards feature birds, wildlife and traditional Christmas scenes.

If you want to do more than pop your Christmas cards in the recycling bin (assuming they can be recycled) you could try the following ideas:

• Use them for gift tags next Christmas
• Create new Christmas decorations