to think that Play Date cards (points up - look at the ad) represent a new low?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Sorry MNHQ, I know it's ad revenue but Jesus H Christ.

If someone gave me or my child one of these I would think they were a lunatic.

Top tip - why waste you money on PlayDate Cards, buy yourself a pad and pen!!

[LynetteScavo]

For some sad, but unfathomable reason, I would like to be given one.

I wouldn't dare hand one out though.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

But it's the formalising it with cards

I mean WHY? Of all the useless things to spend yer money on.

And someone thought this was a viable business idea? Bet it is the brainchild of one of those mum entrepeneurs featured in Red magazine (funded by he husband).

[LynetteScavo]

Oh, believe me, spontaneity is alive and well around here. I can hardly keep up with who is where.

I have a very nice 10 year old girl spontaneously entertaining my 5&7 yo right now.

[porcupine11]

I thought that too when I saw the ad - how depressing!

But then I thought it would be a good way for a shy mum, or a mum not at the school gates every day, to ask other people round and make friends, so maybe I can see the point.

I think a handwritten note would be better though.

And the flip side is that it would be sad to see other kids coming out of school clutching these if your kid didn't have one. Too much like a popularity contest.

[Katisha]

Yep - it's a bunting and cupcakes business - absolutely it is.

I get my playdate invitations engraved on stuff white card actually.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Exactly.

Plenty of threads here about party invites being doled out at school, kids being left out, all sorts of angst.

Tnis will just add to it.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Lol Katisha.

But is the writing embossed.

You know that's how the hoi polloi sort the wheat from the chaff.

(that'sa good word for these cards, actually, CHAFF)

[chaostrulyreigns]

I was so at this a few days ago - I thought I was the only one who thought so but I found comrades.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Meredith - oh darling I have had such a good idea, some pretty ickle cards to invite friends to playdates

Hugo - hmm, yes

Meredith - the bank won't give me any start up money though, darling, how ridiculously short sighted of them

Hugo -

[LynetteScavo]

I prefer to hand out these.

[notwavingjustironing]

Me too. I shuddered when I saw the ad - it's a bit like Viz's top tips:-

If you can't be bothered to tell your kid's mate's mum that he's allergic to tripe then simply fill in one of these handy cards!

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I was reading about the Victorian practice of card calling recently.

Apparently women used to pay calls, leave cards (someimes even if the recipient was actually in) with the maid, 2 of her husband's cards, one of her own.

If someone left you a card it was imperative that the recipient returned a card within a fixed period of time. If you didn't botehr it was a marked insult (ooh imagine the MN threads)

People spent bloody days of their lives doling cards out to all and sundry.

This reminds me of that. Pointless unecessary activity.

Plus think of the environment (MN top trumps)

[Katisha]

Actually I have yet to see this ad. All I seem to get is the one about name labels.
As if I am thinking about those in July hahaha

[notwavingjustironing]

I'll raise you a GetOrf, and see you a Notwaving

Do you think that was where "marking your card" came from ?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Christ, name tapes.

What's wrong with writing your kid's name with magic marker on the clothes label?

LOL at justwaving's VIZ top tip.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Yes - marked cards, probably is where that saying came from.

Pile of cards in Victorian household

Victoria Marshall - inappropriate bonnets
Evelyn Cooper-Hawes - stale cake
Louisa Mayfield - hems dirty
Mary-Jane Cartwright - parlourmaid has got spots

[notwavingjustironing]

George Elliot - Bird or bloke?

[coraltoes]

notwaving very talented bird

[coraltoes]

oh oops i really ought to read more slowly. sorry!

[coraltoes]

Charles Dickens- bleak house

why i frankyou

[notwavingjustironing]

it's ok - I am a very talented bird

[GetOrfMoiLand]

coral, have you been at teh cooking sherry, love?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

or... (radical)...you could have a conversation with the mother