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Birthday cards

(46 Posts)
Alea Wed 23-Mar-16 21:43:04

I like getting birthday cards.
I like choosing and sending birthday cards.
But they have changed from the cards of my childhood when (especially older) people liked to choose a "nice verse" , whereas I like a card which makes me smile -not a coarse joke - but, for instance "vintage" photos with a contemporary caption.
However, chatting to the girl doing my nails today, apparently many of the younger generation prefer to send each other a text/FB message/Instagram or whatever, and don't bother with cards.
So, what do you think? Do cards matter to you? Does a well chosen card make you happy? Does not getting a card make you feel somehow you have been forgotten ? sad
PS And how about e-cards? You can't put them on your mantelpiece but at least they show a friend has remembered your birthday!

Izabella Sat 26-Mar-16 15:26:39

I only send e cards and requested all my friends did the same at Christmas several years ago. Money I save goes to guide Dogs for the Blind. I strongly support them as Mum was blind, and I think the money is far better off with them. I love getting the ecards. They are entertaining and show someone has taken the trouble to think of me and also the time to actually send it. Interesting most people still prefer the paper versions though.

Shula Sat 26-Mar-16 07:44:59

I love buying and sending cards and receiving cards

henbane Sat 26-Mar-16 00:20:26

I still send and receive a few birthday cards, & I like getting Christmas cards as they are part of the decorations, but I send more than I get now as older friends and relatives are dying off and younger people don't bother. It isn't just that a text or facebook message is regarded as more personal - it's the sheer cost especially now stamps are so expensive. Cards and postage last Christmas cost me well over £100 - I am beginning to think there are better ways of spending this sort of money!

etheltbags1 Fri 25-Mar-16 22:21:06

I like cards too but I don't mind a text or an email or a facebook message. Not too bothered about pressies , knowDD will give me a chocolatey one so no probs.

As for sending them Im terrible remembering the dates but I do try and put them in when I get a new diary each January. I also forget to post them, Ive sometimes had to phone someone and say I found their card in the glove box of my car cos I forgot to post it, sooo embarrassing.

phizz Fri 25-Mar-16 22:02:36

I'd rather have a card than a present and have saved all of them from my children over the years.

Marelli Fri 25-Mar-16 18:55:13

I love receiving cards on my birthday (got 19 yesterday wink) and I enjoy choosing just the right one for friends and family.
I've always kept the ones given to me by family members as well.

Wilks Fri 25-Mar-16 18:30:44

Don't like e-cards I meant to say.

GranJan60 Fri 25-Mar-16 18:25:44

Yes agree ecards are a cop out. A lot of our friends live in Germany and France though. Just sent a card to Germany tomy friend's daughter for the birth of her baby - cost £1.52 postage! Recently a small sympathy card to Australian auntie cost £2.50 postage! Even if you go to Cardsave to try to save a few pennies, that is really a lot. Sadly Will have to rethink Christmas cards this year I think.

Wilks Fri 25-Mar-16 16:25:38

I like choosing and sending cards and always buy a selection whenever I visit the UK. (Is card sending a British thing can anyone tell me?). I always receive cards from family and close friends and they are much enjoyed, but I'm happy to get Facebook greetings from others. Don't like cards though. Can't say why.

Tessa101 Fri 25-Mar-16 15:41:09

I work in the greeting card industry and it is still thriving. Yes, you are correct the younger generation do send there fellow friends etc e cards but to there families even they still purchase a nice card.Our biggest sellers are female family members. There is something still special about putting cards up in the lounge on that special day for all to see.

Craftycat Fri 25-Mar-16 14:02:13

I make all my own cards- the clue is in the name!!
I love designing a card that is just what a friend will appreciate & I get so much fun out of making them. However I can see that at over 55p to send one plus the cost of the card ( I have no clue what a card costs these days) that it is tempting for our children & GC to send a text or a FB message.
I love receiving cards- either bought or hand made but I loathe those twee ecards with all the plinky musak & saccharine sentiments but I do like a funny card. That is the only downside of making your own. Although there are stamps & dies etc that are a bit humorous most of them are very 'American'.
Also now older GC are between the cute teddies & adult cards. I'm dong OK s far but another year or so & it may get difficult. I aim to make them interesting- moving parts etc -for them.
Having had to write several condolence letters since Christmas I wonder what the younger generation will do about that. Nothing can be the same as a hand written letter inside a thoughtfully made card at a time like that.

Newquay Fri 25-Mar-16 13:43:35

Mm cards are good to receive but I have no problems receiving ecards either. Kitye, you say you have all those cards in the loft probably going mouldy so what is the point of them? If you said you kept them in a reachable box and from time to time you sat and looked through them I could understand but you may as well take these to recycling now before your children do it. . . .
I have taken to send in e Christmas cards to folks for a few years now-it saves a fortune on the price of the cards not to mention stamps esp to abroad. And you don't have to worry about last posting date either. It doesn't seem to affect the number of cards or ecards we receive and I've noticed more and more are sending ecards too-although that, of course, might just be to me! Lol!

oldgaijin Fri 25-Mar-16 12:55:20

I love birthday cards, especially ones made by my g'kids....I keep them forever and put them away with my daughter's, made all those years ago.

Treecycler Fri 25-Mar-16 11:47:29

I agree with Angela that cards show that you are valued and remembered. I love getting birthday cards and have a friend who makes me a card every birthday. They are always lovely to receive. I also like sending cards, and find them a lot easier to choose than presents, now that everyone has everything!

E-cards aren't the same as you can't display them, but I have had a few Christmas ecards with falling snow and animations that have been lovely, mostly from work friends. With an iPad it is easier to show these around. However they will never replace the real thing, for me.

Bothiegran2013 Fri 25-Mar-16 11:36:09

I like cards, birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day. I also like making them and I get a lot of pleasure from doing so. I get birthday cards from my two children though from my daughter, very reluctantly. I didn't get a Mother's Day card this year and I find it very hurtful, one day, I hope she will have kids and maybe feel the same pain. Receiving a card shows someone has thought about you and put some effort into buying, writing and posting a card. Are family and friends not worth that little bit of effort.

PPP Fri 25-Mar-16 11:20:09

What a lovely anniversary gift, glammanana.

I also love choosing, sending and receiving birthday, Christmas cards, new home, engagement and wedding congrats. Bereaved friends have also commented on the comfort they have felt from cards sent by friends and acquaintances.

E cards, text messages etc are just not the same. It takes thought and effort to send a real card. Long may the tradition continue.

oznan Fri 25-Mar-16 10:24:40

I love receiving cards too-they say that someone cares enough about you to go out and find something that you will enjoy and display as a token of their affection for you.
Choosing a card is even better.I always take the time and often visit several shops to find that "just right" card for the recipient.
As for the younger generation,my children and grandchildren always receive an abundance of cards on birthdays,Christmas,etc. and I know that they appreciate them.They are proudly displayed on the wall to be enjoyed by visitors too.

glammanana Fri 25-Mar-16 10:17:42

I do love getting cards specially hand written ones it shows someone cares about you I think,I can spend an age choosing the right card and verse for the right person and I do enjoy doing that.
Last week my DD arranged with her brothers to send us 40 wedding anniversary cards all mentioning different memories in their lives to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary and what a surprise that was when they all arrived together goodness knows what the postman thought of that,but I loved it.

Yvon Fri 25-Mar-16 10:13:09

Card for me, don't need presents. It's that feeling that someone has made a little effort for you.

Angela1961 Fri 25-Mar-16 10:08:44

In this day and age when people want something they just go out and buy it. If you asked me what I would like this very minute ( other than my cold to go ) I would say nothing. Everything I need, I have. A card on a special occasion is saying to the recipient - I know you, I want to share this moment with you, and I value you. A card is all you need to show you are loved.

harrysgran Fri 25-Mar-16 10:01:14

I love to send and receive a birthday card but call me old fashioned but I much prefer a hand written card chosen with me in mind than the computer generated moon... funky p type.

GrannyMosh Fri 25-Mar-16 09:56:18

I like receiving cards, but LOVE sending them! All the ones I send are hand-made, with love, by me, and I choose the design to suit the recipient. I get a lot of pleasure from the process, and the cards are always well-received.

Tudorrose Fri 25-Mar-16 09:40:24

I love getting cards especially if there is a little note inside if it's from someone whom I haven't seen for a while. I am concerned if they seem to be really expensive. It was my birthday last week and my cards are still on display

Leticia Thu 24-Mar-16 18:58:21

I like to send and receive cards- however I avoid ones with verses. I tend to go for a nice picture and a blank card to write my own message.

rubysmoke Thu 24-Mar-16 17:57:42

I will always send a card - I can personalise it and it means that I have made an effort which often means so much- and I do recycle them - I am not bothered about a gift at all, it's the memory that counts