Greeting cards: Yes or no? And what's the alternative?

Despite our virtual connectedness and the popularity of e-cards and e-vites, the greeting card industry still seems pretty healthy. But even if you choose recycled-content cards with soy-based ink, there's still a heavy environmental toll during the paper milling, printing and transportation process. All of that for what is generally a 15-second experience of reading and setting aside, and ultimately discarding that card. Kate emailed us about this dilemma:

Hi EnviroMoms,
 
I love your blog, and thanks for all of the great tips. I am relatively new to being green, and at first was totally overwhelmed by all of the possibilities. But I identify with your approach of taking things one step at a time.
 
Lately I have been absolutely floored by the cost and wastefulness of greeting cards. I recently spent more than $10 on two birthday cards, which likely ended up in the garbage (or hopefully a recycling bin!!) within days. My family of seven buys and exchanges goodness knows how many cards for goodness knows how many occasions.
 
Have you ever heard any innovative ideas for replacing greeting cards? How do you buck the trend and not insult the person whose birthday, anniversary, etc. you are celebrating?

I'm not a fan of greeting cards and haven't sent a Christmas card in years. Pretty much the only cards that come from my family are the ones my kids make. Relatives' birthdays are usually acknowledged with a homemade card, an email or phone call, and mostly I avoid that greeting card aisle in the grocery store. Cards that we receive go into the recycling bin or a reuse basket for future repurposing and occasionally get saved for the kids' memento boxes. Sometimes I do receive a card that touches me or makes me laugh, and I do love a funny card.

However, if your extended family has a history of frequently exchanging cards, like Kate's family, how do you make changes? Do you have the conversation that greeting cards aren't doing the planet any favors? Or do you just start sending alternative greeting cards -- e-cards, video cards, homemade -- and hope the family doesn't disown you and might possibly get on board the eco-wagon?

Do you send greeting cards? What's your alternative?