to think people should still send birthday cards for kids?

[MakeMineADoubleGin]

It's DD's 6th birthday today and she has a grand total of 4 birthday cards. Only one came through the post. A couple of family cards will come when we have the family birthday meal at weekend, but AIBU to think a few more people should have sent cards too?

Her godmother would be a good start. And then perhaps some of my mates who we're close to and have children a similar age (and I send cards for, as it happens!)

Or is it just not the done thing any more and I'm being a luddite - and a Facebook post wishing her a happy birthday, via my page, counts as sufficient nowadays?

I remember being so excited to get cards when I was a kid - admittedly this was a long time ago! I just think it's nice to have a pile of cards to open on your birthday. Or maybe it doesn't matter at all!

[NancyDonahue]

I don't think they 'should' (stamps are ridiculously expensive now) but it's so nice when they do. My dcs lover getting them too and I send cards to close friends and family.

[w12newmum]

I think it's a really nice thing to do - I used to love getting cards from relatives and some family friends (still do!). I'll be sending my first card to a friends child next week, the first one I know well enough and is old enough to know about cards. I totally don't get FB posts via parents, what's the point? is mum going to show a 4 year old the posts? Even worse is birthday FB posts from parents to child or to a partner who is presumably sat right next to them while writing it!

[Amber76]

I send cards to nieces and nephews if i'm not going to see them around their birthday. But my kids very rarely receive cards in post. Am trying to not let it bother me - it won't stop me from sending cards as I think it is a kind thing to do.

[Hilda40]

Only if they have a postal order in them.

[WaggyMama]

We only like cards if there's money inside .

[Wookiecookies]

I HATE cards, I am irrationally grumpy about them! I hate giving them, I hate recieving them, I hate displaying them and I hate the 'expectation' of needing to send one. I dont get them for my kids or family anymore (except - see >>>) and only now send them to people who get irrationally grumpy about NOT getting them (which in turn makes me a bit stabby ).
I prefer to spend extra on a nicer pressie, skipping the card and the extortionate postal costs. I find them incredibly insincere, pointless and wasteful, I would rather pick up the phone to speak to or actually visit a person/child that I cared about. Not that any of this matters of course, but I the need to get it iff my chest!

[Wookiecookies]

apparently my rant rendered me illiterate! ^

[AutumnalLeaves38]

MakeMineADoubleGin

100% in agreement with you. (If that does make us Luddites, then am happy to be one).

I've been told by friends and family that precisely because it's rarer, it means all the more for young kids when they do receive 'exciting to them' real, physical cards they can proudly display.

I also agree that it can get expensive, especially flipping stamps. For very little ones, I tend to make a few quick, cutouts of their favourite tv/ book/ film character (from cheap kids' mag), Pritt Stick them onto a plain Kraft card, glitter pen their age, sign, whack in heavily sticker-decorated envelope, post it ahead via 2nd class. Job done in minutes.

Bit Blue Peterish, but hey-ho. Few judgement skills when tiny

Trickier when they're old enough to care, but they still seem to appreciate small (by then, shop-bought!) cards even so.
More power to you for keeping up the tradition...

[AutumnalLeaves38]

Wookie

[newmumwithquestions]

Ummm well it seems I'm the only one that thinks stamps are cheap for what you get.
I think cards are lovely - kids love opening them. I confess I've been absolutely rubbish in the past though so I haven't got a leg to stand on.

[SpookyPotato]

It's lovely and thoughtful that you like doing it but times have changed and many people just don't.. So it's best not to have expectations yourself or for your DC to expect them, because they will be disappointed! I only send to my little nieces and nephews.

[SpangledBoots]

I'll do a quick moonpig order for family kids or bring a card if I'm giving a gift.

[Clueless131417]

I for one hate cards but will do xmas cards for dcs to give friends. Thats so they dont feel left out. Apart from that i think they are a waste of paper and i hate displaying them...

[arethereanyleftatall]

I'm not saying this is a good thing, but it wouldn't cross my mind to post any kind of card to anyone. I don't think it can be compared to yesteryear - it's much pricier now and the internets about.
Is she having a party for her friends? They'll all bring one I'm sure.

[HeirOfNothingInParticular]

Hilda40 - maybe it's the area I live in, but whenever I am behind someone in the Post Office who is buying a postal order, is always being made out to someone c/o HMP ;)

[FeelingSmurfy]

I don't send if I'm going to be seeing the person soon but if I can't see them I would send card, possibly present depending on who

[crazywriter]

I find cards a waste so don't really send or like receiving then. We send them to parents from the kids because they live far away but otherwise don't bother and those close to us know why. I would never expect a card for my kids from anyone.

[MakeMineADoubleGin]

Interesting thoughts, thanks!

wookiecookie Good rant!

I often make them, so it's quite a bit cheaper and I don't begrudge the cost of a stamp - although I do remember first class being about 27p back in the day!