Giving birthday cards a week late

[Anonymous2003]

AIBU to think this is a bit odd? I am going down to visit my DP this weekend for his birthday (3 hour drive). He is coming home next weekend to celebrate his birthday with family. I asked his family if they would like me to collect their birthday cards for him before I make the long drive so he can open them on his birthday (they clearly weren't planning to post them). They said no and that they would just give them to him next weekend.
Maybe I'm a princess but I'm a little sad for him having no cards from his side of the family to open on his birthday, only mine. I would understand giving him gifts in person but I think it's nice to have cards which aren't a week late! Maybe I'm overthinking it lol, just found it a tad strange.

I agree. If I'm giving a late birthday present (for whatever reason), I won't do a card. I also don't like receiving late birthday cards.

Nudge

I think it’s perfectly reasonable to want to give cards and presents in person, when they see him.

Cards on the day or not at all. Anything else is pointless

It's pretty normal to give cards and gifts together even if it's a little later when you know you will be seeing the recipient very soon.

Most men I know honestly don't give a crap about cards 😂 it's his family, it's probably what they've always done so I wouldn't worry about it!

Yes, I agree. I will just chuck a week late birthday card in the bin. They have all YEAR to get me a birthday card, they know my birthday, and they can easily post it/get it to me a week early! Why a week late? I always get cards to people several days before their birthday, and always have done. So it's an insult when people get a card to me a week (or more) after my birthday. If it was my DH getting them late from his family, I would be having words with them!

I really don't see the problem

Cards in person within a week is fine.

It wouldn't bother me when I got the card. If he knows he's seeing them next weekend then he will realise he'll get a card and present then, it's not like they've forgotten.

I don’t see the problem- if they are not mailing them to me it’s logical to give when they see each other.

Not strange at all. It's all part of them celebrating his birthday with them, I'm sure they'll want to see him open them. It'd be sadder for him to open them on his own without them.

This.

Late birthday cards are totally crap.I take cards down after a week so would just throw away a late one. The pleasure of a card is opening it on your actual birthday, like a small acknowledgement that's it's your day. I find people who give late cards tend to be more interested in money.

My late mother was very easygoing about her birthday and delighted and grateful to receive a card at any stage. My father on the other hand was a birthday fiend, loved the fuss, the cards, presents. A day late to him was a sign of thoughtlessness and he could have a tantrum.
How the recipient feels about birthday cards a week late is the crux of the issue. If it’s from his family, maybe they just aren’t big birthday people and it doesn’t matter?

My in-laws are late card givers. I've been given one almost a month after my birthday. I just put them straight in the recycling. You can't wish someone a happy birthday a week or month after the occasion.

Oh god!
im still carrying around a Mother’s Day card and birthday card for my nan who’s birthday is today, they were written and have stamps on but I keep forgetting to post them (I live overseas)
mum said she still wants me to send it! I had flowers delivered on the day…

This is quite possibly the ordest thing I've read about birthday cards... It's got absolutely nothing to do with being more interested in money.

I honestly didn't realise people were so invested in getting cards on the day. Imagine throwing away a card because the person took the time to come and visit you with it or throwing a tantrum as the PPs father would over a card arriving not on your actual birthday, bonkers.

I agree @TwentyTwentyFive , but then I didn't realise until I found Mumsnet how much importance some people put on their birthdays. It's been a learning experience!

Gosh I couldn’t give a crap about getting a card that I’m going to read and file away. And don’t most people text these days?
I honestly don’t know anyone who gives cards now. Maybe for kids parties we do, but I can’t imagine a grown adult feeling sad because his parents didn’t give him a a card on his birthday.
seeing him in person and giving it is perfectly fine