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Original poster

OK guys I know you all take the mick out of ROUND ROBINS___how can someone make it ok for you to read??

20 replies

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 09:58

I do a short one with a few photos and about 15/20 lines of text

Is that ok?

It fills up one side of A4 cos of large text {for older relatives/poor eyesight}

Is that ok?

Should it be factual or funny or sarcastic?

Thanks for help

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SquonkaClaus · 10/12/2007 10:02

I can't help, I'm afraid, because I like them

I live a long way from my childhood friends and whilst we do keep in touch, we sometimes forget what we've told each other. So round robins are great because you can catch up with the bits that you are supposed to know, but don't.

I think your idea sounds fab, and I would go with factual and funny, but not sarcastic, because some people just don't "get" sarcasm and you wouldn't want to offend anyone

Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 10:06

Thanks

Actually I shouldn't have said sarcastic I wasn't concentrating I am watching TV at same time

Does anyone else have any ideas how to make them "acceptable"?

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ArtiChokesOnTheWishbone · 10/12/2007 10:08

I like them too (I don't write one but might when DD is older or if I have more DCs). Even the bad ones are much more fun to read than a card which merely states "Happy Christmas from the Smiths".

If you want to avoid people laughing at yours then just avoid the outright boasts and any suggestion that you and yours are a model for everyone else (I have one friend who write a list of everything she has read in the year on the assumption we will all want to follow suit). Stick to news and don't take yourself to seriously.

Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 10:11

Thanks

I think so too

We got a card on Saturday from a family who usually send us a RR and I was disappointed that it was just a card

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UnquietDad · 10/12/2007 10:14

Yes, definitely avoid boasting, and talking about yourselves in the third person. I always find that weird. It makes you sound like Craaaiiiiig Dayviiiiid.

The other odd thing about them is that they are often full of references to names you don't recognise (is Binky the tortoise, the ex or the aged aunt?) and over-explanations of people you are familiar with (yes, I know Jocasta is "Ophelia's university friend since 1987", I got drunk with her on several occasions and slept with her twice, remember?!)...

One amusing one we had made DW go "Who the fuck is Lilly?" It had continual references to "working abroad with Lilly", and "Lilly has allowed me..." etc. It was the company...

My sister and BIL have, for years, done one which is topped and tailed with a personal paragraph to make it look as if they have done a letter to everyone. They might have got away with this ten years ago, but not now that most people are IT-savvy enough to know how it's done!!

We try just to scribble a few lines in each card. Less informative, but more personal.

OhGiveUsAPruniPudding · 10/12/2007 10:17

Print a short line about each family member on a 7x5cm sticker

No I like round robins but we get hardly any! People are too self conscious now

I might write one but it would just be one huge rant at the moment

Yulemoonfiend · 10/12/2007 10:20

I'd quite like to send one to some of our far flung friends. But our lives are so dull (Don't get me wrong, I like dull. Dull means nothing bad has happened...but uit doesn't make for a thrilling Round Robin). Can you imagine...

''FMF continues to enjoy her weekly trip to Asda for the family shop. Last week she tried some of that pomegranite juice as a free sample.
Our boys are, as ever, preforming some impressive turds. Last month one refused to be flushed away for 3 days.
Mr FMF has enjoyed another stifling year at his dull, dull job. Due to a modest pay rise, he treated himself to a state-of-the-art BUllshit Stamp which makes those hours whizz by.
Ah yes, and we enjoyed our yearly week to Cornweall immensely. It rained.''
etc etc.

eidsvold · 10/12/2007 10:23

i like them too - I just did a little about each person in the family - rather than our whole life in a year iyswim. No boasts though. Too self conscious for that.

SquonkaClaus · 10/12/2007 10:29

FMF - 3 days I'm impressed

Bouncingturtle · 10/12/2007 10:30

I like them! My ex boss sends one out every year, with a few pics of places he's been and the family and any interesting anecdotes. This year he wrote about his house move and the tornado they had in July! Nice to see what he and the family have been up to.

UnquietDad · 10/12/2007 10:30

Yulemoonfiend - one in that tone deserves to be done. I'd love it and would appreciate it in the spirit in which it was intended!

Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 10:30

Thanks

I only refer to DH, DS and me

DS is the only one who does stuff to write about - but I deffo try not to boast

DH works and I MN

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Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 10:33

We write a handwritten personal note with a pen along the bottom and write an individual dear jane and john etc.

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CountessDracula · 10/12/2007 10:33

Avoid saying deffo brill

Seriously, can't you just write a few lines in each card. The thing I think about round robins is if someone can't be arsed to write specifically to me it is rather arrogant and rude.

Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 10:37

Fair point CD

but we send approx 110 cards

Also some of DH relatives {and we still send them to friends of DH parents - his choice not mine} don't get a personal message at the bottom

I don't write Deffo brill though

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LoveAngelGabriel · 10/12/2007 10:40

Don't do it! Phone people and talk to them instead!

Round robins are just so...so...soooooo naff.

PortAndLemonaid · 10/12/2007 11:30

But of those 110 cards, how many are to people you've actually had some other contact with in the course of the year and who will, therefore, already know anything of huge excitement or interest that's happened in your lives? Do they really need a round robin? Do friends of your parents (who presumably also get told what you are up to by your parents) need a round robin?

I find if I prune out people-who-already-know-for-one-reason-or-another and people-who-probably-don't-care then I'm left with a manageable number to write handwritten notes to.

CountessDracula · 10/12/2007 11:34

Yup me too

I only send to old friends who I want to stay in contact with and current friends and family. TBH current friends and family know what I am have been up to anyway so I just write a few lines to older friends who I don't see a lot of.

Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 11:46

It is DH parents friends and they have both died so they are all old people I am talking about - most of whom I have never met - I know it is weird to still send cards to old people who I have never met but that is what happens - they are the type of people who knew DH for all his life {that you sort of call Aunty Gladys and Uncle Jim but you aren't related to IYSWIM}

But DH still wants to send them a card etc at Christmas

Some of the others do know what we have be up to and so don't get a RR

From my side it goes to friends abroad who we don't see very often

Or some cousins in Scotland again who we don't really "get round to it" with contacting them inbetween

All my family have degrees from top universities in PROCRASTINANTION now my DS is as well

LAG I know so people feel like that hence why I asked\ for tips.

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Original poster
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 10/12/2007 11:49

You know what

I need to get off MN and get on with writing the cards

MUMSNET is NOT good for procrastinators like me

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