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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to detest my kids' primary school's latest money making venture - selling us christmas cards made by our kids?

144 replies

jasper · 12/11/2008 22:35

Fundraising ( for school funds - don't start me on that one) thing going on at our school just now.

Each child draws a Christmas card design.
School gets them printed up professionally , in packs of 8 cards with envelope.

Your child brings two of these packs home (with their own design) to sell at £5.50 per pack.

AIBU to think this scheme stinks?

OP posts:

ingles2 · 13/11/2008 22:14

I'm the new chair of the pta at a large junior school. We've been asked by the head to raise £6k for a new library. the things your pta are raising money for sound a bit odd boffinmum. Why don't you get involved?
These cards sound too expensive to me. We've just done Northbrook Gift wrap which went quite well. Mainly because it was cheap. A 3 or 5 m roll of wrapping paper for £3 with 75p from every roll going to school.
I am weary of parents all ready though, saying they don't do pta, or haven't got any time. personally I think it's rubbish, you're telling me you don't have time to help, once in the entire school year.....

PeachyAndTheSucklingBas · 13/11/2008 22:17

tis alright pw they are all scared of me. I think they'd be too scared to try aything with me (has been noted by posh yummy mummys as the random not posh element though most are lovely)

PeachyAndTheSucklingBas · 13/11/2008 22:19

get used to it ingles. its the norm.

and you know what many of them are busy

but so are those of us who do give- last year I had 2 sn ds's, an nt ds, was pg and studying ft and did it.

its not critcism of the no thanks mums- its just what you have as a priority iyswim

ingles2 · 13/11/2008 22:22

you're right peachy. I too have a full time career but seem to fit stuff in, for the benefit of the school and my dc's.
Oh well,...I thought it might help make some friends. now realise it means everyone runs a mile when they see me

nappyaddict · 13/11/2008 22:22

Some schools do seem to be charging an awful lot though don't they. £6 for 20 sounds like a reasonable price to me. £14.99 for 12 cards

policywonk · 13/11/2008 22:23

I'm immensely sensible

Some of the people I'm on the committee with are incredibly hard-nosed about fundraising. Their aim is simply to raise as much money as possible by any means necessary, whereas I'm a bit more likely to cringe about some of the tackier/more exploitative things we do.

OTOH, we raise a lot of money for the school - £13k last year. I suppose you don't achieve that without being a bit bull-headed.

IdrisTheDragon · 13/11/2008 22:25

DS's school is doing the cards - I think they were £5 for 10 with £1.50 going to the PTA.

A proof was sent home and then you decided whether or not to buy them.

They also did tea-towels and I made sure DH was there with £10 for 3 this morning (he said they were selling like hot cakes ).

DS's class has a smart board which is used every day and seem to be a great thing

PeachyAndTheSucklingBas · 13/11/2008 22:28

we only made £3k last year but that's ok, we worked hard. I've made good friends and enjoy it.

there have been hardnosed types and I am afraid I have given them short shrift, like the mum who thought te children of the non paying (aka poorer) parents should be segrgated duruing the santa visit and receive no gift. I would have happily walked over that!

you need a mix: hard geaded types and the more humanitarian ones

BoffinMum · 13/11/2008 22:38

I am going to be vv naughty and with a completely straight face, suggest a naked staff calendar for fundraising purposes and see what the reaction is. Local blokes in our village did one recently - doctors, councillors and so on.

stumpweasel · 14/11/2008 00:57

Somehow don't think we'd get much for a naked staff calendar at DS's school - maybe could raise funds for NOT producing one?!

Despite my earlier whinge, have put money where mouth is, braved the yummy-mummy's and joined the PTFA. I'm a bit erratic in my attendance as rubbish at managing work/life balance. DS#1 & #2 still recognise me so not all bad.

Original poster

jasper · 14/11/2008 10:01

for all those who say don't like it? Don't buy it , that is not my point.

These cards have ALREADY BEEN PRINTED!

I won't be buying so the cards ( 16 each for each of my 3 kids)will go in the bin.What a waste.

Some parents don't like it but feel pressurised to buy .

OP posts:

Enigma · 14/11/2008 10:12

Eh? Are you quite sure? About the cards having already been printed? The usual procedure is for the parents to look at their child's artwork and complete an order form if they want the cards - only then do the cards get printed.

I do want to yell wanky tosser pisspots at parents when they bore on about the PTA...(but generally I don't . Our PTA has paid towards the new school hall, equipping a new classroom, all the transport needs (to and from sporting fixtures etc), coaching staff, latin lessons, interactive white boards etc, playground equipment etc...

It's all very well bleating about the government should fund education better (and the usual trite remarks they make)...yeah, right...and there shouldn't be famine in the world either...but those problems are bigger than us, so do what you can

Original poster

jasper · 14/11/2008 10:16

Enigma,yes they have been printed!

They are sitting in three bundles right beside me.

That is the whole point I am objecting to and why I am miffed at so many people posting

"if you don't like them don't buy them"!

OP posts:

Fennel · 14/11/2008 10:20

It's a guilt trip, but if more parents don't buy them and lots get thrown away then the school or organisation is less likely to do it in future. So in terms of waste, it's probably encouraging less waste if you don't buy these. Even better if you send a note about why. And mention environmental reasons for not wasting paper and printing in this way.

Similarly I throw Betterware catalogues etc straight in the bin when they are left on my doorstep. In the end they'll stop distributing them if people just throw them away.

onthewarpath · 14/11/2008 10:33

You should really throw it in the recycling bin fennel if you are that concerned about waste of paper

Fennel · 14/11/2008 10:37

Well yes of course, recycling bin. Via the girls' modelling box and craft box.

Enigma · 14/11/2008 11:31

Jasper - in that case I agree with you. I think it's really off to just go ahead and print them so that people feel compelled to buy them

seeker · 14/11/2008 12:28

It's outrageous to print them in advance. The company we used this year provided (free) a proof copy of each card, so everyone gets one card to keep. Then if people want to order they can- not if they don't. Can't see the problem if it's done this way. Can if they are already printed. I can't remember the name of the company we're using - I'll find out in case people want to use them next year.

islandofsodor · 16/11/2008 11:54

Fennel throwing away Betterware catalogues only means that the rep has to get more so more are printed so far more waste. Betterware catalogues are meant to be collected and used over and over.

I was a poor student when I did Betterware and the £30 a week commision came in really handy. People will never stop distributing them if they are trying to earn a bit of extra money for whatever they need it for.

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