If someone sent you a (nicely) handmade Christmas card, would you think…

[FestiveFruitloop]

YABU: that they couldn’t afford to buy ‘real’ cards?
YANBU: that they just liked making Christmas cards?

Assuming the card has clearly been made by an adult and not a child. Context to follow, just curious. (Regular member, not a journo. 😄)

It barely cost £1 or £2 to buy a box of 10 cards, how could hand-made be any cheaper!

I don’t send any Christmas cards.

Does that give the impression I’m on the poverty line then?! 🤗

My family and neighbours had painted Christmas cards made by me, they also get the same with Birthday cards.

DH used to paint me a home made card, now he prints one that he makes it’s always a little in joke, he also makes them for DS. It’s my favourite thing to receive, also does Birthday cards for me.

Where did I say it was a bad thing?! I’m jealous!!

It depends to be honest. If the person was a bit skint and the cards a bit crap I’d think it was to save money and I’d appreciate the effort but think they didn’t need to bother, I don’t send cards at all now, many don’t.

if they were very good, and the person clearly skilled, I’d see it as a gift.

Cause you are a lazy person unless you are on a verge of a self inflicted burnout 24/7.

I would be happy to receive both. I'd appreciate the homemade one a little more, just don't send homemade food.

I hand painted my own Christmas cards this year using expensive quality watercolour paper and my expensive paints and brushes. Each card took me between 2 and 6 hours to make. Certainly not a cheap option and I think everyone who received one was absolutely delighted (apart from my mum who is constantly miserable about everything).

I think some people are a bit "side eye" about recycling/upcycling and the people who do it. Their loss basically

I’ve made my own cards for decades. I actually wanted to stop at one point because I’d run out of ideas and couldn’t be bothered but my family said they really like them and miss them. I can understand saving nice cracker paper because I like to hoard “bits and bobs” for craft things but I can also understand that would seem weird to other people. I have a box full of random things like foam offcuts and an art portfolio folder full of various textures of paper. But I wouldn’t tell anyone non-crafty about it because they just wouldn’t understand. I’m wondering what kind of cards you’re making if it’s more expensive to do that than buy them (unless you’re factoring in time as well)

depends if you factor in costs of tools as well as materials, and also which cards you buy.

True, didn’t think of that!

How many did you make?

You certainly could benefit from some more time to relax @XenoBitch

25😀

I know. And make cards. I am not a card maker but I do try on occasion.

I’d assume they enjoyed crafting. The money spent wouldn’t occur to me either way.

MIL used to make cards and I always thought they were nice to receive. I like a handmade gift too. MIL knitted me an absolutely gorgeous infinity scarf once in my favourite colours with a really delicate fancy wool and I was SO pleased with it. I also have a relative who makes really beautiful hand-carved wooden items which I also love.

I know which of my friends/family are likely to do homemade cards, and I know it's because I like crafting, be it embroidery, watercolours or other things. I'd probably do it too,if I didn't do a full time job and have busy evenings. I've made some excellent new home and birthday cards in the past, which were one-offs,but doing Christmas cards, it's the wrong time of year, I just don't have the time. Love the ones I receive, though, and I appreciate the cost in terms of time, skill and effort, whether or not they have bought materials or recycled them.

I would think it was lovely someone had gone to that effort and thought I would like it, I don’t have a creative bone in my body so appreciate things like that

I have friends and neighbours who enjoy making cards so I wouldn't make any assumptions other than that they wanted to wish us a merry Christmas and wanted to make a card.

You can get a whole pack for pennies. Come on.
I would think they have lots of time on their hands but it’s a sweet gesture

Aww, sorry to hear about your cat. That's a lovely tribute though.

I would be really charmed and delighted, even if it wasn’t that great!

I’d just think that they liked to make cards