To put a photo of DS in Christmas cards?

[JasonPollack]

Last year I combined Christmas and 'thanks for the babygift' cards as DS was born in late November. I included a photo of DS since I don't use social media and older relatives won't have WhatsApp photos. Also I like printed out photos. I thought it would be nice this year to do the same & include a photo. Cards just go to very close friends and family. DH doesn't want to though and doesn't think anyone would want a photo. Would you think it was strange to receive one? Not like a professional pic, just a nice photo normal sized.

My XH used to do this. I hated him doing it (we used to have this disagreement every Christmas). It was particularly annoying as he was such a rotten father generally. I did send photos of our children to great-grandparents, but nobody else.

I don't have social media/Whatsapp etc, so there's no photo-sharing that way, either.

Our relatives do this for us as we don't see them that often. we love it.

@JasonPollack

Why stop at putting a photo in? Make your Christmas cards with the photo included!!!

www.amazon.co.uk/Personalised-Christmas-Xmas-PHOTO-Cards/dp/B00A7995PU?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Only send to older family members though. Everyone else will think it's naff.

Well I’m American (been living in England since I was in my early 20s) and it’s the norm over there. I still get sent newsletter with what everyone in a particular family’s been up to that year!

Having said that, I do find it a bit cringe (sorry). Maybe put one in for older relatives and leave out for the rest.

It's awful. Please don't do this.

A friend of mine does this. I don't mind at all or have strong feelings either way but I'm not quite sure what to do with the photos?

I use to do this. My ds fathers family are abroad and the rest are the other end of the country.

I use to order the nursery/ school photos in the cardboard frame every year in bulk and out one in everyone's card. Everyone loved it.
If people don't want a photo they don't have to keep it.

I really like getting photos or photo cards from family or friends. I did them when my kids were small.
I am half American if that explains it

I'm American and I only sent pics (usually school pics) to grandparents/great-grands and to one sister who lived too far away to see my DC. This was pre-internet.

I have a couple of friends who always included school pics in Xmas cards to everyone, even people who saw their children throughout the year. Honestly, most people take a gander and toss them.

I don't see the harm in it, just that it's by and large a waste of money.

I fail to see why photos in or on Christmas cards being naff is such a problem - of course they're naff! The whole point of Christmas is to be naff! Christmas jumpers, silly games, singing in public?!?! It's an annual celebration of naffness!

OP - for every person on this thread saying they think it's "naff" or (heaven forbid) "cringeworthy", there's another person saying they would love it.

I don't see why enclosing a photo is any different to writing the card in the first place - some people will chuck it straight in the bin, some people will smile and keep it for xmas and then ceremoniously burn it with the Christmas tree when the misery of January hits, and some people will keep it forever and may even put it on display. If we all went around worrying that the cards and gifts we post to people were going to be deemed naff or be put straight in the bin, we'd never send them out to anyone and Christmas would be much the worse for it!

Do what makes YOU happy - stop worrying what other people think.

@YabaDabaBoo

Well I’m American (been living in England since I was in my early 20s) and it’s the norm over there. I still get sent newsletter with what everyone in a particular family’s been up to that year!

You mean the dreaded round-robin? Now that IS naff. I don't even look at them, and just bin them to be honest. It's just a cut-and-paste brag fest.

In my group of far-flung friends and family, a short Christmas letter (no more than 1 side of A5 including pictures) including a photo of each family member taken during the year is entirely normal. These are either sent with Christmas cards or e-mailed in lieu of cards.

We don't see each other often - some I haven't seen in over a decade - and it's nice to be able to put a face to the news that X spoiled the family holiday by getting tonsillitis or Y has been building go-carts in the family shed.

Just a photograph would be odd, but photo plus news, especially if no social media contact, would be great.

(I agree that some round robins are naff. I am very lucky that those we get are short, well-written, funny, self-deprecating and interesting.)

The whole point of Christmas is to be naff!

Ah well, perhaps this is where we part company...as a Christian, naffness is most definitely NOT the whole point of Christmas!

I'd say older relatives. Also may not be appropriate for people who are involuntarily childless - just be mindful, as Christmas can be particularly tough.

Yes I do with elderly relatives as they appreciate it.

Well I never expected this would be so controversial! Thanks everyone for your replies.

@JetsetJetlaggedJaded I think I'm with you - how did you make them?

Or does anyone know where to buy cards that are frames that you just slot a photo into? That would be the ideal.

I think I will send to older relatives and godparents but not cousins or siblings. Mine wouldn't want one anyway and I feel like DH should get to decide what goes to his.

dressed as Snow White and dad as the prince.. I absolutely hate them
Whoever did this, sorry I've lost your post but I love your friend.

Close family especially those who are older and you don't see often. In our family the tradition seems to be every year till about 13. Then every time there's a thing like a graduation or a wedding.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-x-Christmas-Photo-Frame-Cards-Envelopes-Personalised-any-Family-Picture/332359367929?hash=item4d62297cf9:m:mqYXAGFjh8zN247DmU90_Ig&var=541361806504

@JasonPollack

There's those ^ From ebay, but I guess loads of places do it. Maybe Amazon, Staples, and the photomat place you get at the big Tesco.

Give this a gander.

www.tescophoto.com/personalised-gifts/greeting-cards.html

@MrsPellegrinoPetrichor
Why would I want such a picture? What am I supposed to do with it?!

@Aridane
I don’t see why it’s such a bad response. I wouldn’t be rolling my eyes at the child but at the parent’s action of sending me the picture. You should adore your kids and think they’re best thing ever but you should also be sensible enough to know that no one feels that way (grandparents excepted).

I'm not quite sure what to do with the photos?

The wheely bin is your friend, @GleamInYourEyes

I don’t think I’ve ever received a Christmas card that wasn’t a family/child photo or had one included. I enjoy seeing them all each year, so I say yes.

You know your family and friends well, send them to the ones you think would actually want one. Although I am a bit baffled at people actually disliking receiving them! Why?!

@JasonPollack yessss so glad! Life's too short to worry about people rolling their eyes at you (- especially for doing something as kind as sending them a Christmas card and a lovely photo!)

I used this company for my cards www.bonusprint.co.uk but there's loads out there that do bulk orders of your own design

Don't know about frame cards though

I can't wait to see my friends to open the cards and I'm sure most of them will say "awwww she's adorable", but to the ones who say "wtf you're making cards of your kid now? You absolute bellend!"...

I will say "that's Jingle Bellend to you, sir"

And carry on having a wonderful festive time!

Thank you @rainingallday those ebay ones are perfect. I knew such a thing exsisted I don't know why I couldn't find them last year! Possibly pp lunacy

For what it's worth @Bodear et al, I love my friends kids & would love receiving photos of them. Definitely would stick em on the fridge for a bit at least.