Page 3 | Ok then, so what's all this 'I'll give a Christmas card to everyone' malarky about?

poppiesinalinewithtinsel · 2006-12-05T12:20:16+00:00

I think Christmas cards should only be given to friends that you don't see regularly and family. Why give a card to people who you see almost every day? Seems silly to me. And you end up spending so much on Christmas cards. or am I being Bah Humbug?

mummydear · 06/12/2006 18:24

I just laugh when you see the cards in the shops that have ' A merry Christmas to my Step Mother '

or some other strange family member. Not saying that step mothers are strange ( except in Cinderella) but you get the idea

yulemoonfiend · 06/12/2006 19:14

I've made loads this year (got bored in October ) but they are so lovely I don't want to give them to any old tom dick or harry who has only sent one to me to be polite!
I want to send them to people who will think ''what a beautiful card''

(or more honsetly, my god, isn't FMF wildly creative and talented , on top of being so gorgwous and such a good mother...

goreousgirl · 06/12/2006 19:44

As of this year we are donating money to charity instead of buying cards and sending a festive e-mail to all our techy friends (Mums, Dads, Aunties etc will all get a personal card). our friends started doing it a year ago and we think it's a great idea. Also saves moving all the cards to do the dusting - yey!

Smellen · 06/12/2006 21:02

I agree with the original poster. Don't bother giving them to people I work with. And don't bother giving them to the family members who we're going to spend Xmas with. But do use them as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family we rarely see/correspond with (or those without e-mail).

As regards the idea of giving money to charity in lieu of cards, I prefer to buy Oxfam unwrapped gifts for the less materialistic members of the clan. Don't think the kids are old enough yet to understand that giving is quite as nice as receiving.

MerryPiffmas · 06/12/2006 21:04

We make cards for dd's nursery friends and teachers
We ask ds (13) to make his own, but he never does
We get them for gran as it means a lot to her and the inlaws as they love a good "to the dearest mother and father on earth " type cards
We always get a to dear son and loved son's partner card, although last year we got to our son and his wife card, so after 6 years I'm in
I think of the waste/rainforests tbh

becaroo · 07/12/2006 10:42

I think there is a bit of bah humbug there poppies! I send cards to everyone to let them know I am thinking of them whether I see them every day or not. My son loves to make his cards and give them to his friends and family. Also I only buy charity cards so I do feel that someone is benefitting. Bit of a drag writing them all out but LOVE choosing the cards. I am so sad!

Original poster

poppiesinalinewithtinsel · 07/12/2006 10:46

BAH HUMBUG

OP posts:

paulaplumpbottom · 07/12/2006 10:56

Becaroo you are not the only one. I don't think we're sad.

Mummypumpkin · 07/12/2006 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wrappingpaperBOwZZAndribbons · 07/12/2006 12:37

goreousgirl I thought the whole point of Christmas cards and decorations etc was that you got a month off dusting. Then when you bring them all down and clean up the house looks so bright, clean and minimalist.

orangecake · 07/12/2006 12:41

I agree with this thread totally, used to sit and writ out far too many cards each year and will be taking a stance this year on the grouns of doing my bit for the environment.

There is also one thing worse then having to sit and write out hundreds of cards and Im afraid that it's having to receive them back. Where the hell do you put them all?

I have yet to see a 'tasteful' way of displaying them and it's such an appalling waste of trees anyway imo.

rant over

volvomum2 · 07/12/2006 18:45

i must admit I asked for someone to send me a card as I love having something to look forward to then they are recycled later on. I've have a very bad , stressful time recently and it will be ongoing so it'd be nice to hear from some other people. I collect the stamps for charity as well so its a time for me to look forward too, for those with plenty of friends, support etc lucky you!
Best to all, Jill xx

TartanTeddy · 07/12/2006 18:57

I don't particularly like charity cards. Why are they so expensive when only a fraction of the total cost goes to the actual charity. The worst one I ever saw was 1% of the price paid for the cards went to the organisation. Having said that I've bought some myself this year, but probably should have bought Poundstretcher ones and made a donation instead.

Ladymuck · 07/12/2006 19:19

Well I send them because I do actually want the person to know that I care enough about them to bother. Yes I may see them at the school gate most days, but it is one of those things that helps cement relationships. But I send birthday cards too - I think that it is worth the envirnmental cost, and I'm not convinced that avoiding Christmas cards for environmental reasons could be anything other than hypocritcal whilst I holiday abroad.

And my children send Christmas cards because I want them to grow up used to certain social niceties. They will have to write thank you notes too.

cat64 · 07/12/2006 20:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

domesticslobess · 08/12/2006 09:48

I agree with Ladymuck- often people who cite 'the environment' as their reason for not sending cards don't seem quite as concerned about global warming when they book their flights to Thailand or Goa...

izzybiz · 08/12/2006 10:20

Im with Ladymuck too!

And Bah humbug to those who dont agree!!

becaroo · 08/12/2006 18:21

Forgot to mention, I recycle the really nice/posh cards by cutting them up and using them as present lables for the next years presents. It is very relaxing to spend an evening cutting up cards to make pretty lables (and it helps the environment) Did I mention before that I am very sad?

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 08/12/2006 20:06

I make gift tags too!

Gemmasmummy · 11/12/2006 09:39

I don't think giving cards is environmentally unfriendly because you can reuse them - we cut up ours and use them as gift tags. Children can use them to make their own Christmas cards next year! People often cite the environment as a reason for not giving cards, or say they are giving money to charity instead, but DO they really? ?

Gemmasmummy · 11/12/2006 09:40

I don't think giving cards is environmentally unfriendly because you can reuse them - we cut up ours and use them as gift tags. Children can use them to make their own Christmas cards next year! People often cite the environment as a reason for not giving cards, or say they are giving money to charity instead, but DO they really? ?

paulaplumpbottom · 11/12/2006 10:05

I also think they are just trying to get out of it.

iota · 11/12/2006 10:26

well to my shock, my 2 dses ( yr R and Yr 3) spent a good hour yesterday writing very personalised cards to their classmates - fancy multi-coloured writing, drawings and stickers all over the card and the envelope.

They really enjoyed doing it ( and counted as wrinting practice homework for ds2 )

LunarSeasonsGreetings · 11/12/2006 10:39

Aargh - school have just sent a note saying that as the kids want to swap cards can they all bring their cards in tomorrow! Not only do I not know the names of the whole class, and haven't even bought kids cards yet (let alone had time to even think of making them), but I now also don't get a chance to add extra ones in later in case anybody whose name I can't remember tonight sends one to ds.

Amm getting a bit fed up of these short notice events - don't they realise that some of us work and can't just drop everyhting at a moments notice? Last week we were told on Wednesay that they wanted donations for a cake sale on Friday!