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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sending a blank notelets or a blank charity card to family.

39 replies

girlfriend44 · 26/07/2022 22:27

Would you ever send a notelet blank card and use it as a birthday card or one of those free blank cards that charities give out as a bday card .
Writing happy birthday inside.
Does anyone send them to you?
I never would and would always buy a proper bday card.

OP posts:
JustJeans · 26/07/2022 22:29

Good for you 👍

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/07/2022 22:29

If a 'blank inside! Card is nice of course I might send it with a message for a birthday.

Probably not a free one but I buy blank ones for people. Birthday cards (and sympathy are particularly awful) aren't nice always.

Musicaltheatremum · 26/07/2022 22:32

Yes I would. And I would be happy to receive one. It's the effort of writing a message and posting it that counts. Life gets in the way sometimes and you might have to resort to these at the last minute. My mum is dying at the moment and I'm struggling to get from day to day so I'd hate it if a friend judged me for this

declutteringmymind · 26/07/2022 22:33

What are they supposed to be used for?

AndAnotherTwo · 26/07/2022 22:35

Yes, all the time. What
Would you do with it? Throw it away just because it was free? What a waste of paper.

nocoolnamesleft · 26/07/2022 22:35

Absolutely. Some of the favourite cards I have received have been when someone (usually my mum) spotted something that would really appeal amongst random notelets.

27x27 · 26/07/2022 22:38

I use them a lot. I like to write my own message. DM hates it though. It's not a proper greeting unless it's via hallmark or card factory in her case.

MasterBeth · 26/07/2022 22:40

It could be slightly more thoughtful and personal to receive a blank card that someone's written their own thoughts in than some pre-printed banality, but honestly I would find it extremely difficult to give a shit either way. It's the thought that counts.

FreezyFreezy · 26/07/2022 22:41

Yes. I sent one to a friend recently. I know they like perfumes and this was a fragranced card that came with some flowers that I bought myself a while ago.

I also make cards to send to people if I am particularly skint (we always have various types of card and paper in the house and I promise I put effort into them!)

bridgetreilly · 26/07/2022 22:41

I don’t think I’ve come across free charity cards, but I’d certainly send a blank card with Happy Birthday handwritten inside if I thought the person would like that card.

Greensleeves · 26/07/2022 22:42

I struggle to give a witch's tit about this, tbh. I doubt I would even notice.

TokyoTen · 26/07/2022 22:43

I dont send any cards but my mum Ford thus all the time.

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/07/2022 22:44

Yes I would and I wouldn't think anything negative if someone sent one to me.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 26/07/2022 22:46

How would you even know? Do you monitor which cards are for sale in which categories of the shop?

Alwayswonderedwhy · 26/07/2022 22:47

Yes I would. What's wrong with blank cards? I prefer them to ones with soppy messages.

LosingTheWill2022 · 26/07/2022 22:51

Why on earth would it have to be a birthday card in order to convey birthday wishes?? If you write Happy Birthday or something more specific and tailored to the recipient inside an attractive blank card you have achieved the same outcome.
I'm baffled.

Fizbosshoes · 26/07/2022 22:52

I have an elderly relative who is almost housebound. They send notelets as birthday cards (usually with an apologetic note inside)
To be honest I prefer them to some of the quite tacky birthday cards they used to send.

Though for me, the ssentiment is that someone remembered my birthday, I'm not really all that fussed about the card.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 26/07/2022 23:02

God I couldn’t care less. Infact I’d rather someone used a blank card they already had or a card they got free over forking out money for one. What a waste!

onlythreenow · 26/07/2022 23:03

Of course I would use one - what do yo think the purpose of them is? If someone takes the time to send me a card I am appreciative, whatever card they use. Anyone who judges they type of card sent to them doesn't deserve a card. It's actually nicer to get a card someone has take the trouble to write a message on.

Precipice · 26/07/2022 23:27

Not sure what notelets are, but I always buy blank cards, usually with some art on the front.

I really don't like the cards with text on them, not only because I usually think they're ugly but because the text is in the way. In English, they're usually just short, in my other language they're often flowery and a bit naff. I think it's sad to send those birthday cards that have just the pre-printed greeting and only go to the 'bother' of addressing it up top and signing it at the bottom - how perfunctory, how little thought goes into that! I don't like that as a recipient, so I don't do it as a sender.

Thestoppedfan · 26/07/2022 23:33

I keep them in my drawer at work- they come in very handy for last minute collections.

ThinWomansBrain · 26/07/2022 23:40

I don't think I've ever had free ones, but often use blank cards - either because I've chosen it because I like the picture for a particular person, or because it's a random 'celebration' or thinking of you card that doesn't come as an option from a shop.
Also often buy notelets / postcards blank cards of an exhibition - Royal Academy, V&A, etc.

saraclara · 26/07/2022 23:43

I prefer blank ones. I find birthday cards with sentiments or verses inside quite odd in that they're written by someone who's paid to write them, as if they know the recipient of the card.

Obviously for myself, I'm happy to get anything as it's the thought that counts. But I almost always buy/use blank cards for anything from birthdays to sympathy cards, so that the words inside are mine and only mine.

WeAllHaveWings · 26/07/2022 23:43

What is the problem with a blank card? Surely handwritten happy birthday wishes are more personal and thoughtful than commercially printed ones?

RewildingAmbridge · 26/07/2022 23:46

Not quite sure what you mean by notelets, but I often choose cards with a blank inside because I find the twee poems uncomfortable and often inaccurate. Much better to write a personal message. Black cards are often prettier on the outside too.