Is the post office, UK defunct?

[Nomoss]

My wife designs a card every year, a scene or building nearby or seen on a trip, has enough printed for friends and family, and paints individual cards for the grand- and other small children.
When she started this, in the 1980's, we sent 120 or more, but the years have taken their toll. This year only 60 were printed, and some of those are spares.
This year printing cost €60, total for postage was just under €80. Not a lot to keep in touch once a year.

Re. re-using stamps, a friend in England years ago used to steam open all envelopes received, put his reply or card inside, write "Return to sender" on the front, and post them back.