Not to buy my childrens' Christmas card designs because they're rubbish?

[jenster1976]

Honestly, they are normally really good at drawing and do me lovely pictures, but these are misspelt, scribbled in places and messy. I was really looking forward to getting them, this is the first year the school has done this fundraiser - I've seen loads of friends and families with them, always cute, but my kids are, to be frank, embarrassing! Also, I want to tell them, but is that just cruel? They're 7 and 5.

My dd is 9 is no Picasso and can't spell. I always make her proud of anything she brings home from school.

I agree you don't want to destroy your children but I'm not sure it does them any good to make them proud of things they should/could have done better.

You don't have to make them proud of them, just say they're too expensive or you want to make some at home or you want to buy charity ones this year or you've given up sending cards because it's wasteful or any other reason that isn't 'I care so much what other people think of your artistic abilities that I can't bring myself to distribute these'.

Ok, feeling mean, will buy them and treasure them in my keepsake box, but will prob encourage them to make new personal ones to actually give to grandparents.

We had the card design thing sent home as HOMEWORK! Here's your kid's (x however many) homework for this week: draw a Christmas card on this company's template and then hand over a tenner per child for the privilege please. I politely declined. So I didn't have to tell my children they were crap (although if they had actually done a design it probably wouldn't have been crap anyway - both girls love to draw) as they didn't do one in the first place.

I don't think you are BU for not buying the cards but I think you would BU if you tell your kids their drawing is crap even if it is

Oh this annoy me these cards. But not because of the rubbish drawing but because one of the parents prints them and the quality is shite. Look like something run off a colour photocopier. We can charged €10 for 10

Surely the rubbishnes of them is the attraction ? Last year DS did a shark, so seasonal, and he sent them to family. This year he has done a scary Rudolph. We are sending these rather than our usual cards to frighten the family

to be honest I think that if the school are hoping/expecting parents to shell out that kind of money they should make sure that the children have at least spelt Christmas right before they go to the printers!

The last time I did it I had a list of Chrismassy words they might want up on the board. I also made sure that each finished card was a good reflection of each individual child's best effort.

No, the cards shouldn't have to be perfect. They are by children. But it isn't too much to expect that they are a pleasing piece of work for the age and ability of the child.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for a bit of endearing strangeness and even some weird phonetic spelling from my 5 year old. But scribbled out sections, words you can't read (because of the scribble) and obvious spelling mistakes aren't really endearing ( although the 5 year olds deer is cute!)
I just wish that whoever supervised it had made them do it nicely or let them start again rather than all the scribbling out, or just inserted a T into Christmas. It just smacks of cant be arsed all round and takes the shine off what could have been a lovely momento.

I do get that if they normally do beautiful pictures of which you are genuinely proud, then it would be a bit galling to have to send cards to doting grandparents that look like a three year old drew them in the dark. I don't mind buying rubbish cards that my DCs drew but that's because I know that's not their speciality. I'd be a bit disappointed if I had to display a poem that misrepresented their writing ability (for example) though, because I know they can do lovely creative writing on occasion. I don't think it makes me a bad mum to prefer "Wow" to "Aw bless" occasionally.

The ones that came home from our school this year were dire. Previous ones have been good.

In our case, I know they get done very hurriedly, so not really a surprise. But disappointing nonetheless, as previous ones have been lovely by some sheer fluke.

I know the school gets a few hundred quid from the sales, so have decided to suck it up and buy 35 each so that they can be used for classmates/teachers, but we will get some others for non-school friends and family.

I am sure it could have been a lovely memento op.

Yanbu, I wish I could not buy them but my 2 would be really upset if I didn't buy a pack as they all get so excited receiving them in class. At their school all the kids do a similar Christmas collage in each class so they are not left to their own dire devices thank goodness.

I have to say if mine were left to scrawl their own random pictures I would definitely not buy them and probably be overheard mumbling how I wasn't paying for that crap

My nieces proudly presented me with cards last year that had been done at school. Niece no2s wasn't the best artistically but who cares. The sheer pride on her face when I opened it and she explained it and showed me her name on the back was priceless

Do you have to use the picture they did at school? My DD's school do the card thing, but draw the pictures in October so they are sometimes less than seasonal. We get the picture and order form home for approval - I know of a few who have swapped the picture before sending it back to school.

Well I'm going against the grain - I wouldn't buy them or I would but put one of each up and not send any out.

I love buying nice Christmas cards and I can't see why a 7 year old can't be told she hasn't spelt Christmas correctly? Honestly - my dad takes criticism to the next level - nothing I ever did was good enough but honestly it's really precious to tell kids they're perfect all the time and not helpful at all.

DS isn't at school yet but clearly this is another 'cashing in' idea I have to look forward to. Why can't they just draw nice Christmas pictures or make a decoration for the tree - who was to receive these really?

runs away

I can't believe the school sent pictures to be printed with scribbles and misspellings on. I really don't know what I would have done, thank goodness it never happened.

It sounds like you feel they barely bothered making any effort. If that's the case, I don't think you should feel obliged to buy them or conceal the reason. They should know that you expect them to try, at least.

YES you have done the right thing! Thank god when I was younger I received a similar message on facebook. tbh this was an affair that had been going on a while and she had given him an ultimatum.
I had no clue this was going thanked the girl and left.

You don't have to buy them. Tbh I feel sorry for your poor children though. Things will not always be perfect. Their schoolwork will not always be perfect (believe me I'm a teacher) but they will always remember how you make them feel. Please don't destroy the confidence in your little ones. I had some issues with this growing up and, whilst I certainly wouldn't go over the top and make them think they're always the best, I certainly wouldn't be destroying my kids like that

Jemima - I suspect you may have posted in the wrong thread?

OP, going against the grain here and totally get where you're coming from. I don't think you do your child any favours by praising everything they do. Your child is capable of doing better work - this is not undermining if delivered in the right way.

We had the same thing - a really crappy (this is not a word I'd use to my DD) card with spelling mistakes and rubbings out. The whole thing looked rushed and half-assed. It wouldn't take much to give the children some design tips, to give them time to choose colours, give key spellings on a whiteboard, and to give kids a chance to re-do stuff.

I don't think I could bring myself to not buy them as I'd be worried about hurting the DC's feelings.

DD did some bells on hers this year, it just looks like a gold penis right in the middle of the card I have bought some because it amused me but think I might suggest making a special one for my grandmother (my parents are definitely getting a gold penis card, they're as immature as I am)

Our school is printing calenders this year instead of cards,my four year brought his home and it looks like a dalmation dog ,all black spots apparently it's inspired by the artist Bridget Riley

Ahhh shimmering that made my lip wobble! Obviously lots of legitimate reasons they didn't want the photos but that poor little lad.

Obviously I am a massive pushover softie, my DS isn't old enough to be put on to the Crappy Christmas Card assembly line, but I'm sure when he is I'll buy them.

Don't do it if you don't want to OP but please don't tell them it's because they are substandard!