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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Christmas card - Is the normal? Cute or Cringe

105 replies

EveeH · 31/12/2023 20:48

Just been taking down the Christmas cards we received this year (albeit not many). One of them I must not have looked at properly the first time as I've no realised that it's a bit different from what I'm used to and thought maybe the ultra middle class that is Mumsnet might be able to tell me if this is normal as I like it and might do it myself next year.

The card design on the front was drawn by the family who sent its children (age 1-5 so you can imagine it wasn't a work of art) and printed on. On the left hand side was a family picture, giving very the royals Christmas picture vibe, then the right hand side was a big paragraph outlining all of the events the family had that year include kids starting school and what have you. On the back was a little note saying they were donating £2.50 per card sent to a specific charity.
The card was sent by DHs manager, they are well off, big six bed detached house in Kew, ski trips and private schools for all the kids. I think you get the type.
I'm as common as muck so just wondering is this normal in any circle? Is it cute or cringey? We are expecting our first child in the new year so I'm thinking this might be a nice tradition to start but not sure?

AIBU to think this is quite cute and wonder if it's normal?

OP posts:

OpalOrchid · 31/12/2023 20:50

Cringey.

craigth162 · 31/12/2023 20:51

No that's not normal

titchy · 31/12/2023 20:51

It's cringey. In all circles. But very funny - you should be able to make a bingo game out of all the mentioned achievements

Davros · 31/12/2023 20:53

Gold. For piss taking

Original poster

EveeH · 31/12/2023 20:54

titchy · 31/12/2023 20:51

It's cringey. In all circles. But very funny - you should be able to make a bingo game out of all the mentioned achievements

I mean take your pick from ballet to piano and ice skating it was all there, plus the plentiful vacations through the year. I thought it was quite cute but maybe not 😅

OP posts:

WillowCraft · 31/12/2023 20:55

Not normal. But funny!
Seriously there won't be many people who want to see pictures of your kid and hear about their achievements apart from close relatives who already get that. I think it's pretentious. Plus expensive

TwoShotsInMyCup · 31/12/2023 20:56

Which bit is it that you like? The drawn picture, the family photo, the newsletter or the charity donation? Lots of people do these individual things, it's not 'the norm' but it's not crazy outlandish either. If you like it then go ahead and do it. But I'm not sure which part you're asking about being normal?

WillowCraft · 31/12/2023 20:56

I got 2 cards with the Christmas letters in this year and both were really boring. Full of "we had COVID back in march and then our car broke down" . Disappointing lack of boasting!

AlltheFs · 31/12/2023 20:56

The card itself cute - the crap written in it, not so much!

Singleandproud · 31/12/2023 20:59

I received similar in an email, the family have travelled extensively and lived abroad so fairly sure it was a "Send to All" situation, it had a round up of their year and a photo from each month. I think family are probably interested if not close physically but otherwise not so much.

phoenixbiscuits · 31/12/2023 20:59

It's a bit crass to be rubbing people's faces in it if they can't afford these things. Family and people of a similar lifestyle, not to my taste but whatever. But sending it to your staff who can't afford these things... Nope. The handmade, photo of family and £2.50 per card, all good. Showing off how you can afford fancy shit, no thanks 😂

Original poster

EveeH · 31/12/2023 20:59

TwoShotsInMyCup · 31/12/2023 20:56

I like the hand drawn aspect and the little family picture was quite cute. They aren't a social media family and we haven't seen the family since the youngest was christened nice to see how they have grown I guess. The family update was less fun and seemed quite braggy.

OP posts:

cowonthecommon · 31/12/2023 21:00

My BF always gives a card, without the cringey family photo, but with a bauble on the front containing a summary of her family's year, in very small print. It is always very humorous and self-deprecating (for example, 'at 43, I started growing a beard'), but also celebrates her kid's achievements...without being smug. Love it. Probably quite hard to do it in good taste, but she definitely manages it.

steff13 · 31/12/2023 21:00

I think it's cute but I am not a miserable cow.

Dorriethelittlewitch · 31/12/2023 21:03

We send cards with our children's art on them because the school does it as a fundraiser every year. I've had a few raised eyebrows over the years from people who assumed I'd send something "classier" but since I have them...may as well send them.

OpalOrchid · 31/12/2023 21:03

I am a miserable cow. I don't really care about little Olivias dance show or the family holiday to the South of France.

Beautiful3 · 31/12/2023 21:04

I've only received one of these types of cards, and I loved it. Great to see a photo of the family, and read all about what they've all been up to. Thinks it's brilliant.

Josette77 · 31/12/2023 21:05

I'm not a huge fan of the Christmas letters, but I love photo cards.

I waited almost a decade (infertility and adoption) to be a Mom. One thing I was so excited about was cheesy picture Christmas cards.

I have kept a copy of each one (ds is 12 now, and was 2 for our first Christmas), and put them out each Christmas.

I am now a single mom, but he will have all the cards of us with his Dad, and us just the two of us.

I love them. They make me happy. They seem to make grandparents and aunts and uncles happy.
I love receiving picture cards from friends and family. 💖

MN hates me. Lol

newoldfluff · 31/12/2023 21:06

If you like it just do it. It's sad that people feel they need to judge and sneer just because someone does christmas differently

justalittlesnoel · 31/12/2023 21:07

We do these at Christmas in our family, a round robin card! Good way to catch up on all the bits not on social media from some family members and share news / accomplishments.

PegasusReturns · 31/12/2023 21:07

Well cards with a picture drawn by a child are a staple of pretty much every primary/prep school, so a DIY version including a family photo doesn’t feel like a reach.

Personally I love family photos and a little round up. I’ve never sent my own but it’s lovely hearing from people I haven’t seen for a while and all my friends are good humoured and self deprecating so it never feels braggy

JingleSnowmanTree · 31/12/2023 21:07

@EveeH personally I LOVE a family photo card or child's drawing/ mix of both, but the rest of the wank can get lost.

SleepingStandingUp · 31/12/2023 21:08

I think an Xmas themed pic of your child is fine, but is keep it to family and close friends. Is live an Xmas card that's a lux of my friends kids because I love my friends. And it's fine a hand drawn one cute.
The big update though, if they're close enough for a family photo, they're close enough to have kept up to date with all year

ActDottie · 31/12/2023 21:08

Cringey.

Although I’ve received cards where the kids have done the artwork and they’ve printed it onto cards. I think that could be cute tbh. But the photo and braggy list no way!

WishIMite · 31/12/2023 21:09

I love it! I think it’s nice.

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