E Birthday Cards

By the end of November, I have sent out 15 beautiful Christmas Cards. As a reply, I got e-cards (Christmas ones) . Is that the “new fashion”? Should I just sent e-cards from now on ? Maybe I’m missing something here !

Should the recepient e-mail/e-card to thank the sender or just keep quiet?

To cut costs this holiday season is it acceptable to send ecards?

I think It is okay to exchange gifts with gift receipts attached so that the recipent can change them if need be. Giving is always a good thing but with Christmas cards especially when you receive them from people who hardly ever talk to you e.g work colleagues, what is the point?

I have never sent out Christmas cards. Not that I’m a tightwad or a scrooge, but I just don’t understand why people would actually spend a stamp and take the time to send a card that just has their signature on it and nothing more. I love to get pictures and letters, but w/ email it seems like we can do that every day anyway.
I love my friends & family very much and make sure I spend special time w/ them during the holidays or at least call if they’re far away.
But I feel like such a heel when I keep getting Christmas cards in the mail.
Is it totally tacky to send an e-card w/ recent photos?
I don’t want people to feel like I don’t care, but it’s just never been my thing, especially during the most hectic time of year. (I do send “thinking of you cards”, friendship/sympathy/thank you cards often, just not Christmas for some reason).
What’s your stance on this?