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Signing piles of Christmas cards is enough to give anyone a cramp, but when you have chronic pain, this part of the holiday preparations can lead to flares, and a strong desire to create ice pack mittens for your aching hands.

So don’t.

The Internet is a wonderful thing, making so much of our lives easier (and more entertaining). Buying gifts online saves you energy for other things, but don’t use it on cards. Instead, embrace the e-card! It’s much easier on your hands, saves you money, and is good for the environment.

And this time of year, they are specially delivered by Santa’s reindeer. Really.

There are oodles of sites that give you the opportunity to send an e-card. One of my favourites is Jacquie Lawson’s beautiful English countryside cards, starring cute animals, and set to lovely music. Receiving one of these cards always feels like an occasion (they didn’t make me say it, I’m just a happy customer). There is an annual subscription fee, but you can send as many as you want. Other sites have free e-cards — just type in “free e-cards” in your search engine of choice, and the inter-web will give you an embarrassment of riches from which to choose.

How do you manage sending out cards? #ChronicChristmas is an Advent calendar of tips for a sane holiday season with a chronic illness. Check back tomorrow for the next tip. To see all the posts in the series, click the #ChronicChristmas label below this post.