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AIBU?

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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
CautiousLurker2 · 20/12/2025 14:55

My DHs aunt started making them years ago and we’ve had only homemade cards for over a decade. They’re charming and mean so much more than something mass produced.

shivermetimbers77 · 20/12/2025 14:54

I love a home made card, it feels like such a lovely, thoughtful gift

runningonberocca · 20/12/2025 14:50

I received a handmade card from a colleague in a job I worked in about 10 yrs ago. He had made one for each of us on the team. It was so beautiful and thoughtful I still have it and put it out on the mantelpiece every Christmas!

TigerRag · 20/12/2025 14:49

My grandma used to do this. I looked forward to receiving them

As I said in another thread about homemade gifts, it's the thought

LeonMccogh · 20/12/2025 14:48

I’d love it and probably keep it instead of recycling it after Christmas

saraclara · 20/12/2025 14:48

People close to me are getting a home made foodie treat as one of their gifts. The ingredients cost a small fortune, so if anyone thought I was being a cheapskate, they couldn't be more wrong!

I'm pretty certain that handmade cards are similarly more expensive.

Needmorelego · 20/12/2025 14:47

It's MUCH more expensive to make homemade cards (unless it was literally folded cardboard and a felt-tipped picture).
Shop bought cards can be like 99p for a pack of ten.

Applespearsandpeaches · 20/12/2025 14:47

I’d think “that’s nice” and that’s about it. Pondering someone’s financial position based on their card giving wouldn’t occur to me. I suspect the most expensive element is probably the stamp anyway, not a shop bought card.

xmasstress12 · 20/12/2025 14:46

That they probably got sucked in by one of those crafting shopping channels & thought they would be Martha Stewart.

Bc87 · 20/12/2025 14:45

JennyForeigner · 20/12/2025 14:29

Definitely that they had made it as a lovely gesture. The cost is way more.

Edited

I can confirm this.

So nasty that some people try turn it into something shameful, really makes you want to put less effort in.

Poodlelove · 20/12/2025 14:45

My mum used to make the ugliest gawdy cards ever , they cost her a fortune to make and to post.
We used to like getting them to see who had the ugliest .
Miss you mum

TheMousePipes · 20/12/2025 14:45

I LOVE homemade cards!
Particularly if they come from someone I'm very fond of.

Newsenmum · 20/12/2025 14:44

Cosyblankets · 20/12/2025 14:40

That person wouldn't have received another card full stop

Show quote history

It also makes no sense as handmaking takes much more effort! And you have to buy the kit.

twiddleit · 20/12/2025 14:43

This is interesting, I used to make them, not just Christmas cards but all sorts, but even trying to sell them for £1 each I had very little success. They were good (if I say so myself) but most people seem to want a box of 20 boring ones for £1, not a single card. I’ve given up now and concentrate on scrapbooking.

Newsenmum · 20/12/2025 14:42

That they are creative and they like me a lot to handmake it! Handmaking would cost more than buying imo.

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,

Localfriend · 20/12/2025 14:41

depends entirely who from.

Neighbour 3 doors down that I have only ever said hello to….. I’d think “odd” and “lots of time on her hands”

Close family (female) relative… I’d think “lovely.

Male relative I’d think “that’s a surprise!”

my child? I’d be over the moon

Pranksters · 20/12/2025 14:41

My DM makes her Christmas cards every year.

Cosyblankets · 20/12/2025 14:40

HolidayHattie · 20/12/2025 14:36

I used to spend ages making cards. Most people appreciated them but I did once hear the "too tight to buy them" comment. That person never received another handmade card.

I love to receive them. I've got a beautiful hand-painted card from a friend this year.

That person wouldn't have received another card full stop

evtheria · 20/12/2025 14:40

I make a lot of my cards but only for people I really like and that I know will ‘get’ it. Even though I often use art materials I already own, sometimes recycle ribbons or use dried foliage, it costs more than buying a pack from Card Factory. I would be touched to get a handmade one off somebody, at the very least it means they’ve taken time out to make it!

Flowerslamp · 20/12/2025 14:40

I'd think they liked making cards and maybe that they had a lot of time on their hands!

MYOB12 · 20/12/2025 14:39

Handmade cards are more expensive! I made my own for years, sadly don’t have the time nowadays.

Buscobel · 20/12/2025 14:38

I have two hand made cards. I appreciate the effort that has gone into them.

OilyRoundTheCogs · 20/12/2025 14:37

My OH makes, writes and sends our cards every year. Usually 40 - 50 or so. They are all individual.

It absolutely isn't because we can't afford to buy them (and it definitely isn't cheaper). He does it because he enjoys doing it.

HolidayHattie · 20/12/2025 14:36

I used to spend ages making cards. Most people appreciated them but I did once hear the "too tight to buy them" comment. That person never received another handmade card.

I love to receive them. I've got a beautiful hand-painted card from a friend this year.

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