I’ve held onto nearly 1,000 greeting cards that I can’t STAND to throw away – & they date back as far as the 1980s

A WOMAN has held on to nearly 1,000 greeting cards because she can’t stand to throw them away – with some dating back as far as the 1980s.

Anushka Cross, 46, has filled dozens of shoe boxes with “sentimental” cards sent to her and her family for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions.

She said the cards have “taken over” space at the family home in London – that she shares with her husband, aged, 45, and their two children, aged 13 and 12.

According to the mum, things like birthday cards will stay on display on the mantlepiece for months before they come down – serving as a reminder of a lovely event.

Anushka only rotates cards when there is another special occasion – saying there are always “some cards on display”.

It follows research by Funky Pigeon which revealed 39 per cent of Brits keep every card they receive – due to evoking memories of loved ones, emotional attachment and sentimental value.

With key birthdays, Christmas and wedding cards the most frequently retained – and 27 per cent have kept hold of one for more than 20 years.

Anushka, a lawyer, said: “I love greeting cards – they’ve always held a special place in my heart.

“If you look back on them, from over the years, it tells a story – who your friends were, the jokes you made, or family that might not be here.”

To save space, Anushka has spent hours crafting photo albums to store them – with one dedicated to cards from the couple’s wedding back in 2007.

She is very passionate about “reusing and recycling” and plans to repurpose some of the cards in creative ways.

Anushka has taken hole punches of every single card she’s received – collecting around 30 sandwich bags – and is designing a piece of art showcasing them.

Despite planning to do a “big clear out”, Anushka said there are many she has grown a “sentimental attachment” to.

Anushka’s love for greeting cards started in her teens – when she began holding onto birthday cards from friends and family.

Her passion grew from there and she now collects and stores every card that is sent to her or her family throughout the year.

She said: “There isn’t a time of year when a card is not being displayed, I’ve got cards from every occasion – the usual birthday and Christmas; but also, things like wedding cards, moving house, a new baby, and other celebrations.

“I have cards dating back to when I was aged 16 – probably even younger.

“I stored them in my parents’ attic for a long time, until I had to do a clear out for them.

“I couldn’t bear to get rid of them, so I just brought them to my house.”

When they’re not being displayed, Anushka tucks her cards away into about seven shoe boxes that are stored in dedicated cupboards around the house.

The research from Funky Pigeon also revealed, like Anushka, 84 per cent believe a physical card is more meaningful than any digital alternative, with 81 per cent loving to receive them on a special occasion.

With 22 per cent frequently re-reading ones they’ve received in the past.

And sending cards is still going strong, according to 86 per cent who regularly do so, according to the OnePoll data.

Christmas was seen as the most important occasion to send one for, followed by key birthdays and times requiring sympathy – but 48 per cent admit they could make more effort to remember key dates during the year.

A spokesperson from Funky Pigeon, added: “It’s great to see how sending a card can mean so much to someone.

“They can have a long-lasting impact on people’s lives – and that’s as much down to the design as the heartfelt messages they can deliver to those when they need it.”