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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to NOT buy my child's Christmas card

31 replies

Crunchymum · 25/10/2016 15:44

£6.50 for a pack of 10 and quite frankly its not very good (he is not yet 4 and its actually pre-school)

Much nearer the time like fucking December we were going to make some cards for family with lots of glitter and stuff.

However there is a bit is a begging letter "all monies go to the poor, underfunded PTA" and the kids seem to have been indoctrinated [my almost 4 year old has mentioned his cards a million times already]

Shall I just suck it up?

OP posts:
Original poster
Crunchymum · 25/10/2016 15:44

Sorry for mentioning the C word in October!!!

OP posts:
iwillnevereatspaghetti · 25/10/2016 15:44

we use them to give to their school friends

2014newme · 25/10/2016 15:47

I never do! They are so expensive. I donate plenty time and money to the Pta but I don't buy the cards.

MistressMerryWeather · 25/10/2016 15:49

Yep, suck it up. :o

If he's mentioned the cards so much it's because he's exited for you to have them.

PrincessWizard · 25/10/2016 15:49

I won't be doing, just can't afford them and don't think they're worth the money. We'll make cards at home for Grandparents etc.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 25/10/2016 15:50

I do feel a bit mean as its his "first" ever school card (PFB obviously)

BUT I just hate being told that I have to buy something let alone something Christmas related in October

OP posts:
LisaMed1 · 25/10/2016 15:50

ds refuses to do them, so I usually don't bother but make a donation of @ £1 which is what the school would get.

LisaMed1 · 25/10/2016 15:56

btw we got ambushed the first week he was at school - they had these dratted things in September and the first year or two we sort of sucked it up but now I'm hardened enough to refuse.

The first year ds was in school we paid £150 in 'asks' I kept track. It doesn't include school dinners or uniform or stuff that is necessary. It was school photos, christmas cards, sponsorship, non uniform day, raffle tickets, raffle prizes, donations to this, money for that etc etc etc That was one child over one year.

blinkineckmum · 25/10/2016 16:21

I didn't. They were crap.

ALemonyPea · 25/10/2016 16:24

Are these the cauliflower card things?

Ive refused to buy DS3s for the past three years as they use silver foil, which looks good on the original, but just show as white on the cards. Annoys me as it says on the instructions not to use shiny materials.

Cakescakescakes · 25/10/2016 16:29

I always buy one pack for grandparents etc. And also because DS is always really proud and excited to see his pic on a 'real' card so it makes him really happy. And I'm happy to pay the £6.50 because of this.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 25/10/2016 16:29

YANBU, but could you buy some cheap frames that fit the frames, then give them as presents to GPs etc?

TimeIhadaNameChange · 25/10/2016 16:29

frames that fit the cards, I mean!

Pineapplemilkshake · 25/10/2016 16:31

I'd suck it up I'm afraid, unless I were in dire financial straits. Yeah it might look crap, but at the end of the day your DC made it and I'm sure any recipients will be touched to receive it rather than some mass produced stuff. And the PTA aren't doing it just for the fun of it, obviously it'll be to raise funds that your DC will benefit from.

BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 25/10/2016 16:35

I think it would be very mean not to. It doesn't matter that you don't think they're much good, it matters that your child is proud of them and excited about you buying them.

RhiWrites · 25/10/2016 16:35

I don't think your child has been indoctrinated by the PTA. He's probably excited at his drawing being turned into a "real card". You don't have to buy it but he'll be chuffed if you do. Making your own cards at home is going to send a negative message about the card he has already made.

Rockpebblestone · 25/10/2016 16:42

Did you get the original artwork back? If you did you can photograph it / scan it in and make your own.

Otherwise you could just say that it is fantastic but 'forget' to order in time but never mind you can make some equally brilliant ones at home. Or just say it is a bit expensive to buy them 'ready done' with his picture and you can put his picture on a card yourself for less money.

Damselindestress · 25/10/2016 16:47

If you can afford it I'd do it because he's so excited about it.

madamginger · 25/10/2016 16:50

I organise these for our PTA and they are our 3rd biggest fundraiser after the Christmas and summer fairs.
The company we use give every child a free copy of their card and about 40% of our kids buy a pack of cards, but they can also get tea towels and mugs printed as well.
They also take ages to organise, we started planning for them in September.

ImperialBlether · 25/10/2016 16:50

The thing is that if you're in the PTA you're trying desperately to raise money for the school and everyone who's not in the PTA hates this, even though their children benefit.

If you can afford it, give them the money. If you can't, then don't.

Whathaveilost · 25/10/2016 16:53

I never got them but my kids weren't fussed.
For the first year or so i bought into the idea you gad to buy everything.
Now mine are teenagers they cant remember doing them.
I also didnt buy the book of specaily selected poetry with a piece from Ds including (and every child in the North West of England) nor did i buy teatowels with a self portrait or the annual photo.

TeacherBob · 25/10/2016 16:54

Whoa....

No you are not being unreasonable at all, you don't have to buy them and many won't (I won't want to buy my daughters, she is 4, but the missus will insist. I am the same with school photos too).

But

quite frankly its not very good (he is not yet 4 and its actually pre-school)

WTF?

jennymac · 25/10/2016 16:59

If you can afford it, I would buy one packet. Your dc probably thinks they are great and may be a bit deflated if he has gone to the effort of designing a card for you not to buy any at all!

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 25/10/2016 17:03

I used to love these Christmas cards! It's something that was very much kept to pre-school or maybe Reception class here, so gone forever now for me.

I agree they are expensive, but always bought one pack to give to close family.

gillybeanz · 25/10/2016 17:08

I learned the hard way too. There was always some reason to put our hands in our pockets.
In the end I ended up just saying no, including school photo's which I have plenty of sitting in a drawer.