Does your MIL do this?

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So, if there’s been a recent event where cards have been exchanged, birthday Christmas, and most recently Valentine’s Day, MIL reads the cards that are on the window sill. She does it every time, commenting on the writing, what is written. For some reason it has always annoyed me.

YABU she can look if she wants
YANBU she’s a nosy cow!

I am not MIL and would never dream of doing this though! At most (if I could be bothered), I would only admire the picture on the card as I walked by.

We don’t get many paper cards or if a card is being given between DH and I, we display them for the day and then put them away for safekeeping.

I feel my MIL wouldn’t read a card like this (but then we only really get cards from her outside of each other so she already knows what is written!).

To stop it if it was happening, I would pop the cards in the bedroom.

Did you really just say that to another woman because you disagree with their point of view? Wow!

I don't do this and don't like it done to my cards. It's rude.

The only exception for me is Christmas cards at my parents as these often still have my name and now DHs in them - and DM knows I look. There's a slight ulterior motive though- I purposely look to see if the gold-digging trollop my cousin married has sent one and to whom she's addressed it.

I'd be embarrassed being called out on it and apologise profusely. I think you should tell her you're not comfortable with her just coming in and reading cards, they're not for her and just like she (I hope) wouldn't open a letter addressed to someone else.

Or... You can start putting really raunchy messages in your DH card and his to you so maybe she'll think twice about it.

Even the kids cards, you could write in code or something and when she asks what it says/means just say "X knows and that's all that matters"?

Seems alot of effort to go to but if she doesn't take the hint/you don't want to directly say anything then it's what I'd do 😂.

Because I’m a knob I would be tempted to buy a “with sympathy” card and write something along the lines of ‘so sorry to hear you’ve been diagnosed with Syphilis & hepatitis A, B & C. I hope you feel better soon.’. Then display it with pride next time she visits.
it probably won’t stop her being nosey, but she will get the message you’re on to her pretty clearly.

When you next have cards up, perhaps something in one along the lines of "to whoever reads this, don't be so bloody nosey as they are personal".

Your MIL won't know it's aimed at her but may get the hint, and it will be interesting to see her face!