Hand drawn cards

[Spicysuz]

I can’t work out if I’m incredibly cringe or if this is socially acceptable.

Would it be weird to give a hard drawn card to a colleague for a birthday or Thankyou? I can’t work out if I would be overstepping the line.

I’m talking very handmade with a drawn and coloured picture, these in no way look professional. I absolutely love drawing, I find it hugely relaxing. Sadly though, I have not been blessed with talent.

Is this a social faux pas and am I being unreasonable in giving a handmade card?

I received a card from an adult family member that was hand drawn and coloured in with crayons. I did think it was a bit odd sorry!! Of course, I thanked her and told her it was lovely but it did look like something one of the dc had done and make me raise an eyebrow. I’m not particularly close with this person so that could be why I didn’t see the sentiment in it I suppose.

I would love to get a hand drawn card. I would think that a lot more effort had gone in to it than picking one up with the supermarket shopping.

Maybe it depends what it looks like, though. If it was a really terrible drawing then I might feel insulted. Can you show us an example of your drawings?

I’d love one x

Can you show us an example and we’ll feedback? 😬

Is it like one if those Pet Portraits With Hercule pictures? Spectacularly bad?

I think its a bit odd, tbh, but its a very sweet gesture. I would be pleased if someone gave me a hand-coloured / drawn card.

I think if you were super-talented then yes; but if not, then it’s a tad weird, sorry, OP! I’d just get a normal card.

Yes this! My sister always does hand drawn cards that are very personal and very clever and funny. But a friend gave me one once, and although it was a lovely sentiment - it was a little odd!

It wouldnt bother me. Cards are really expensive and I'm not overly fussed about them - its the thought/message that counts. I see it as a bit of an extended form of gift tag so the format doesn't matter terribly.

I would be fine with it OP. Shop cards can be expensive if you have quite a few people to buy for.

I mean it’s a nice gesture and it’s only a card, I might be a bit bemused by it but my cards only stay up for a couple of days before going in the recycling bin so it’s not a biggie.
I wouldn’t send one myself but I’m crap at art and absolutely no one would appreciate an offering from me 😂

If you “haven’t been blessed with talent” then I wouldn’t. It will just look a bit odd - like giving somebody a hand knitted glove with only four fingers, or an out of focus photo of their pet. Homemade gifts / gifts related to your hobbies and interests can be lovely, but only if they’re reasonably good.

If it will make them have to fake an "awwww it's so good", then don't give it.

If you think that it will be genuinely touching for them, then go for it.

I am autistic and I HATE when someone gives me something that is clearly bad and I have to pretend it's good, because I am a shocking liar lol

If you want to do a hand-made card but your drawing is a bit...lacking (I feel you there, my drawing is about on par with a four year old's) why not take some gorgeous photos and print one out and stick to a card? That way you can make it personal (take a lovely view that the recipient loves or a picture of their child or dog or house or whatever) but you don't have to reveal your woeful drawing skills? You could maybe colour a border or something to surround the photo to scratch the 'hand drawn' itch?

As you aren’t good at drawing I’d find it odd to get a handmade card from an adult. Just say happy birthday or if you can get one M&S have nice cards for £1

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the feedback. The thought of someone having to do a ‘aaaw how good’ like I’m a 4 year old makes my insides squirm.

Ive been making cards for family for a while - they are hit and miss but usually the ‘misses’ are also enjoyed for entertainment value and offen find a spot on the fridge. My family do not hold back on their critiques!

I reckon I will keep this to only family for now.

Unless you are talented then no I don’t think it’s appropriate. A acquaintance (in her 30s) of my son makes cards and gives them to him to give to us (birthday, Christmas cards) and they are so bad that I asked him if she had learning difficulties. He didn’t think so but it was what crossed my mind.
I’m sure yours are fine to give to family members but not work colleagues.

I would always much prefer a handmade/hand drawn card from anyone whether they were a child or adult. anyone can buy a card from a shop in 30 seconds, but sitting down and making/drawing/painting a card shows that you care enough ablut the recipient to spend the time doing something nice for them. I’ve still got every birthday, Christmas, and Mother’s Day card thst my daughter ever made for me, including the cards she made in her 20s, together with a few cards thst friends have made over the years - they mean so much more than shop bought cards.

I AM a talented artist and i wouldn't do it 🤣

I just think there's something a bit odd about it unless the sender is v young or quite old.

Young for obvious reasons and Old because there's something sweet about someone in their retirement with time in their hands making home made cards. I suppose because it makes them a keepsake.

No real sense behind this it's just how i feel.

I have been making cards for the last few years. I never sell them, but my local charity shop are glad to sell them. So I recently started doing hand drawn ones too. I'm no artist, but people love getting a handmade card and I do spend a lot of time on them so they aren't an easy option. I say carry on, you don't have to be an artist. I'd love a handmade card. I get inspiration from Pinterest and YouTube, simple drawings but they go down well. I've attached an example.

CousinBob

I would be fine with it OP. Shop cards can be expensive if you have quite a few people to buy for.

If you shop around you can get them insanely cheap

One of my sons used to make handmade cards for his friends and family - he was pretty talented and they were thought out and targeted to the interests of the recipient - some appreciated them - some didn’t - but I think that said more about them than him - he’s a teen now and just buys cards .

I'd be absolutely delighted with a hand drawn card even if the drawing was awful, it's just so nice to think someone went to the trouble of making something instead of just buying it in a shop.

Let me tell you, it's not great when you're not autistic!

If you’re a child or genuinely very talented, then fine. Otherwise, probably a bit odd.

That's really nice! I like that.