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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Xmas Cards ...with treats?

19 replies

freshtrax · 19/12/2014 15:10

I've noticed a trend appearing in the homecoming school bag this year, Xmas Cards that also contain some kind of sweet treat, I really hope this doesn't turn into a new "Party-Bag" style epidemic whereby everyone feels they have to partake.
I confess to being a bit of an Ebeneezer and now send Xmas cards by email so that I may lessen my carbon footprint to a small degree, I do however think there is some value in kids that are learning to write, doing what is effectiviley "lines" but in a card and "taking" them to classmates. I really don't want to be giving, or recieving, chocolate and candy in kids Xmas cards though...

OP posts:

TheWordFactory · 19/12/2014 15:13

It's not new.

My DC recieved cards with chocolate coins cellotaped in at primary school and they're taking their GCSEs in Summer.

Is it really a big deal?

Purpleflamingos · 19/12/2014 15:15

Oooo, we have had a few. With chocolate coins stuck inside. Is it a vying for popularity thing? Thankfully we are always the first to write and send cards so there's none of the competitiveness that goes on, and whilst I can still be in charge, everyone in the class gets one. I seem to have missed a few though as dc have been getting lots of cards from older children in school that I had no idea they knew (I don't even know these children!).

ErrolTheDragon · 19/12/2014 15:17

It's not new - some people like to do it but it's not a rule. If you want to be 'Bah no humbug' that's up to you.

brererabbit · 19/12/2014 15:34

This is what would really piss me off if it was a primary school. Lots of kids have ana reactions to milk. You can't just hand chocolate around to kids?

Mouldypineapple · 19/12/2014 15:37

My dd is 5 and put chocolate coins in the cards of her closest friends, and the teachers. I thought it was lovely!

brererabbit · 19/12/2014 15:38

I'd be so cross if my dc was given a card with one in especially if it was only a reception class. Who's there to stop them opening and eating it.

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 19/12/2014 15:41

It wouldn't worry me, I'd think it was a nice gesture and not give it another thought.

usualsuspect333 · 19/12/2014 15:42

Good grief, it's a tiny bit of chocolate.

YABU

pookamoo · 19/12/2014 15:43

We gave out sweets today, well these, to be specific!

DD & I had fun putting them together, and she gave them out instead of cards. They were saved until the very end of the day, and the teacher handed them out as they left the building to their parents.

pookamoo · 19/12/2014 15:44

DD is year 1, and they were in the teachers' full knowledge - any intolerances would have been taken into account, but as far as I am aware (and I know the children) there are none in DD's class.

brererabbit · 19/12/2014 16:22

Yes handed to the teacher and if you know the kids is brilliant! It's the thought of the coins in the cards given to kids that makes me , Some schools/ parents dont give thought for things like that unless you have a young kid that would need hospitalising if they cot their hands on one I guess why would you. It's not uncommon at all though. Going via teacher to parents is a lovely gesture.
Very sweet for the kids to do for friends.

formerbabe · 19/12/2014 16:24

I think its sweet but I don't do it in case some children have allergies... Sometimes I put sheets of stickers in the cards instead.

DuchessofBuffonia · 19/12/2014 16:29

I'm guessing that this is a primary issue. I've given sweets/chocolates with my cards to my secondary form kids for years with no issues (if they're allergic/don't want them then they give to a friend). I've given Christmas decorations in my cards to my team this year too.

hippo123 · 19/12/2014 17:10

Why would you be cross brererabbit?

ErrolTheDragon · 19/12/2014 17:42

hippo, its obvious from the thread she's concerned about allergies. This is a real consideration with small kids who may not realise that something contains milk or nuts, and a single sweet wouldn't have warnings. (Vegetarians and Muslim parents mightn't be happy if you put in sweets with gelatine either). It's one of those things - 'its the thought that counts' but therefore you should actually think about whether this nice, well meaning gesture could be problematic.

farewellfigure · 19/12/2014 17:59

My ds did all his cards before I woke up the other day and had neatly sealed a polo into each one. I was a bit but let it go. Polos are his 'thing'. I didn't even think about allergies and now I feel bad. I don't think I'd want it to be the norm! He didn't receive any with sweets in return. Dammit now he's going to be known as the child who started all the madness

ErrolTheDragon · 19/12/2014 18:06

I would think polos are one of the safest options.

Hulababy · 19/12/2014 18:11

One or two children in my class have done it this year - and tbh it isn't new - have known one or two most years to do so.

All the children n our school know they are not allowed to eat sweets/chocolate in class and that they have to take it out at hometime to ask a grown up first - they all do with no problems, even in foundation/reception.

MummyPig24 · 19/12/2014 18:44

The cards with candy canes or chocolate coins taped to them have been from the dcs teachers.

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