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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If someone sent you a (nicely) handmade Christmas card, would you think…

238 replies

FestiveFruitloop · 20/12/2025 14:27

YABU: that they couldn’t afford to buy ‘real’ cards?
YANBU: that they just liked making Christmas cards?

Assuming the card has clearly been made by an adult and not a child. Context to follow, just curious. (Regular member, not a journo. 😄)

OP posts:
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6
OrigamiOwls · 20/12/2025 15:27

Having previously made cards I quickly realised it would be much cheaper to just buy a pack in a shop. So I'd assume anyone who makes them enjoys making them.

Dahlietta · 20/12/2025 15:25

I make them for my husband when I have forgotten to buy one 😆. They’re not bad though!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 20/12/2025 15:23

I used to work with a designer who always made her own cards, much nicer than any you could buy.

FenceBooksCycle · 20/12/2025 15:23

I'd assume that the person enjoyed making them and/or felt that a handmade card is a more meaningful thing to send and signifies more genuine love and care than the mass produced bought cards. Handmade cards certainly aren't cheaper than buying a bumper box of cards (if you factor in the time spent at minimum wage they are ridiculously expensive) and are usually also more tasteful

liamharha · 20/12/2025 15:22

FestiveFruitloop · 20/12/2025 14:27

YABU: that they couldn’t afford to buy ‘real’ cards?
YANBU: that they just liked making Christmas cards?

Assuming the card has clearly been made by an adult and not a child. Context to follow, just curious. (Regular member, not a journo. 😄)

Assume they loved to craft and be touched by the personal touch .

Dollymylove · 20/12/2025 15:21

I love a handmade card. Ive had a few ans i always keep them

UxmalFan · 20/12/2025 15:20

I love 'em. My non artistic friend sent me one last year that was just an old picture stuck on cardboard and it made me smile. Bet yours are nicer.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 20/12/2025 15:17

9 times our of 10 handmade/homemade always better in my eyes.

If you've used last years cracker renments I'd also think it's nice that you're conscientious of waste and probably have a good imagination in doing so.

Odiebay · 20/12/2025 15:16

I made my own with watercolours this year. Hadn't occurred to me people might think I was skint or had to much time on my hands. I took it up as a hobby in the evenings to de-stress.

So far they seem to have been well received.

usedtobeaylis · 20/12/2025 15:15

I would be delighted to receive a handmade card, I know how expensive crafting can be so I would never assume it was a financial thing. I think it's a lovely thing to do. I'm vastly more likely to keep a handmade card also.

XenoBitch · 20/12/2025 15:03

I would think it is lovely. Card making supplies are not cheap, so I don't think it is about money. Some people make cards as a hobby/side hustle.

Shoecamp · 20/12/2025 15:03

I’d think they were talented and thoughtful

Original poster
FestiveFruitloop · 20/12/2025 15:03

So nice to read that a lot of people enjoy receiving handmade cards! I wish I had plenty of spare time to make them though, that’s sadly not the case - I sort of shoehorn it into odd spare moments but usually still end up rushing to get them all done in time. 😄

OP posts:
CraftyPlayer · 20/12/2025 15:01

I make mine myself. It never occurred to me that people might think it’s because I’m poor 😂 now I’m wondering if they do!

Bushwoolie · 20/12/2025 15:01

We keep and frame them and bring them out each year. We see them almost like a gift - I never think about the why

kirinm · 20/12/2025 15:01

I’d think that they’d made a huge amount of effort and I’d appreciate it.

Original poster
FestiveFruitloop · 20/12/2025 15:00

Blades2 · 20/12/2025 14:42

I would think they enjoy crafting and I would also think how lovely they thought so highly of me to actually make me a nice card.

why?

your post sounds a little judgy,

Not at all, this is probably the right moment to add the extra context. 😄

I’m the card-maker in question. In all the years of making them for nearest and dearest plus good friends, it’s never occurred to me that anyone might think I was doing it because I couldn’t afford real cards (it actually works out pricier overall, as pps have said! - but it’s my hobby and I love it so I do it anyway, not to get any kind of kudos but simply for fun), and I’m hoping that’s still the case, but when talking to one of said friends (who’s known for years I make them) I thought his reaction was a bit weird this year… he seemed vaguely puzzled, or something, and it got me wondering.

Unintentional drip feed to follow though, as since posting it’s occurred to me that I mentioned I used paper from last year’s pulled crackers in the design - this was because the crackers at a dinner I went to were really nice high end ones with lovely paper, better than a lot of crafting paper I’ve seen, so I asked my friends (who all know I craft) to save their pulled crackers for me. I’m now wondering if this detail is what earned me the funny look 😄 not that I care, just wondering. Hope that helps put some context around my question.

OP posts:
Danceparty55 · 20/12/2025 14:59

I’d think they were into crafting (and probably had more time than me!)

marcopront · 20/12/2025 14:59

Blades2 · 20/12/2025 14:42

I would think they enjoy crafting and I would also think how lovely they thought so highly of me to actually make me a nice card.

why?

your post sounds a little judgy,

I took as the OP makes her own cards and has been judged for it.

Musicmummy63 · 20/12/2025 14:59

I make all my cards, including Birthday, anniversary etc. Everyone always comments that they love receiving them. When mum died, I found a box with every card I ever made for her. So I think most people love them.

lifeonmars100 · 20/12/2025 14:59

I wouldn't even give it a moment's thought

Thatcannotberight · 20/12/2025 14:58

One of my neighbours is an artist, we get topical or local hand painted scenes for birthday and Christmas cards, she never forgets my children's birthdays. They are the only cards I keep, and treasure.

MyCatStoleSausages · 20/12/2025 14:58

I like to paint and draw so I would definitely assume that the person just likes making them.

MadamDicey · 20/12/2025 14:57

I would love a homemade card .

SeaAndStars · 20/12/2025 14:56

Several of my friends make their own Christmas and birthday cards and I love to get them and have even framed a couple as they are so beautiful. I always think they went to so much more trouble than just buying one in a shop.

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