To think this is strange from my neighbour?

[Pekitothebunny]

This morning I woke up to a pack of Christmas cards that have been posted through my door. They are new Christmas cards, still sealed within their pack, unused. A note came with it saying “hi, it’s Janet from number 5. I bought these for you to send out to the neighbours next year”

Huh? Why would anyone do that? She’s isn’t my direct neighbour, she’s like 4 houses down. We don’t speak or have any kind of relationship. However, since we moved in a few years ago she has always sent us a Christmas card, and I assume she sends them to everyone on the street. We don’t bother with Christmas cards and never send them out. Could it be that she’s offended that we never send cards so this is her not so subtle way of hinting that she will be expecting a card from us in 2025?? Why would anyone care so much?

Im planning on just throwing the cards away and ignoring it. Would anyone else find this weird?

Why are the 'I don't send cards' brigade always so smug about it as if they are breaking ground in some way? I especially dislike the big announcements on social media about how they are not sending cards and donating to charity instead- it's just lazy and it's always people who could afford to send cards as well as donate to charity at the same time.

Yes weird behaviour but I think she is trying to make amends for previous awful behaviour over the last 19 years but I'm not having it. Keeping her at arms length is the best thing after what she's done over the years.

She's early 80's and loves a good gossip (amongst other things). I saw her in the front garden last summer and she subjected me to a monologue about 'her over there, in number 56, she's left him! he's been left with the kids! Just upped and left' and 'i see no 51 have a new car; not sure where they got the money for that'...'No 48 have planted a tree in their front garden, they're not allowed to do that due to the covenants so I'll go and speak to them about that' ...I don't bloody care about what the neighbours are doing! Horribly judgemental and quite nasty. So I avoid at all costs.

This. Please donate to a charity shop😊

Using the whole pack of cards, write her out a Xmas card for each consecutive year. Then post them all through her letterbox.

That is breathtakingly pass agg! I'd return them with a note saying 'Think you may have posted these through my door by mistake? I don't send out Christmas cards for environmental reasons.' What a weirdo.

Don’t waste them. Put them back through her door with a note saying thanks but we don’t do Christmas cards.

I think it’s your own perception that it’s smug behaviour. Times are changing and people for whatever reasons choose not to send cards. I didn’t bother this year for personal reasons but had to justify it to family and friends because they would have wondered why they hadn’t received one from me😊

The OP doesn't do Christmas cards, as is her right. She didn't ask the neighbour who she doesn't really know to send her a card. It's not impolite to not send one in return.

This. If she’s a disagreeable type, as you say, then if you make a comment she will use it as ammunition to justify sending you a nasty note back and keep the card argument going.

Ha ha! That is very passive aggressive and verging on communism.

Reminds me of someone I know - but really do not like - who was desperate to get a key regional job that came up for grabs. The first interview went OK but he was narked that the process in front of the executive board took too long and there were other candidates there. When it came to second interview he thought he would 'impress them' by showing where they might improve their hospitality in the company. He strode in, with trays of sandwiches and drinks and said "Right, this is how you look after people you value..." plonked the trays down in front of them and proceeded to pour drinks for them all. They laughed him out of the room.

Send them back with a note saying ‘sorry, I don’t engage in this crap, so in future leave me off your christmas card list’. It’s passive aggressive shite and I would have to say something.

Very odd not sure what I’d do to be honest, good luck lol x

Agree. She's got some cheek. Maybe she should take a hint.

I'd ignore. Although my first thought was to give them back to her.

The OP doesn't want to. That's the only excuse needed.

Haha, this. Ridiculous.

"Im planning on just throwing the cards away and ignoring it."

Simply proceed with your plan.

More fool you buying into this kind of crap.

I kinda secretly love her, how hilarious!

I don’t send cards either and wouldn’t be sending one next year but my god she’s got some big balls!

Yes I like this suggestion. Make her feel guilty! What bizarre behaviour! I send Christmas cards to my neighbours but I couldn't tell you which ones send them to me, I don't give to receive. Odd year I haven't sent as didn't get round to it. That's such bizarre and rude behaviour! I would pull her up on it. Send them back with a note saying that you give to charity instead etc

She may be one of those busybody people who try to make everything social and everyone must join in. You see this bustling type online too. Wouldn't be my cup of tea but I would simply ignore the pointed dressing down from her or else send a diplomatic message as suggested by ohnobackagain - page 1? - as it is not aggressive or hostile and conveys a sense of goodwill.

I've had my own dilemmas with Christmas cards, like the new next door neighbour - the kind that asks you your name as soon as they meet you - who sent one and I felt obliged to reciprocate. Another time I had bought and written one for near neighbour; they'd gone away for Christmas and I didn't get one from them so in the end I didn't send mine! Now they are back to sending me one and I reciprocate. A few other neighbours I receive from because we have been friendly so I do the same.

@GlitteryX you’d be best off starting your own thread for advice

“Hi, Janet at No. 5,

Thanks for the pack of Christmas cards. However, we don’t have any desire to start sending these out, as we never send any to anyone, so please accept these back for your own use next year.

Ps. We also will not be offended should you desire to refrain from sending us cards in future!

Best, No. 11”

I thought Chanel lived at No 5?

I would definitely put them in her letter box with a polite note saying thanks but you don't send out Christmas cards.

It is a bit of a batshit thing to do, but she could just be lonely.