AIBU to get a bit annoyed every year with SIL giving us a Christmas card from a pack.

I wouldn’t dream of buying one of those ‘special’ cards for any occasion, let alone Christmas. Each to his own, I guess.

With you there Granny Somerset!

I don’t buy ‘special’ cards either everyone gets one from a nice pack of charity cards.

YABU.

Agree granny Somerset.
Kandinsky in my opinion yes you are !

I spend time choosing a design that I like and make sure it helps a charity and I buy however many packs of the card that I need.
I find those 'special' cards a bit cringe -making unless they are for someone living alone. I have known in the past that some older friends have rated their importance in the world by the number of cards received, so I'm not really knocking the special cards but it feels slightly odd to give something over-elaborate like that to one's own generation.

My sister-in-law is the same, admittedly usually charity cards - but I always get "special" cards for immediate family as you do Kadinsky. She did say that this year they weren't even going to do cards but donate to charity (does that ever happen when people say it?), but obviously had a change of heart because my sister and myself have had cards with pictures of them and a verse from them as well.

I’ve never bought or received a ‘special’ card in my life. I buy cards in aid of charities, and so do my family and friends.

I only buy ‘special’ cards for DH, other family get one from a charity pack.

I buy a "special" card for my mother - in her 90s! Everyone else gets cards from a pack bought from a charity. It wouldn't cross my mind to be upset to receive a card from a pack from family

I have a very good friend who is literally the only person I give a Christmas card to. So far I have 25 cards left from the box of 30 I bought 5 years ago since I give her a card each year.
Some people don’t like cards - I’m one of them, I’d much rather have a conversation than a card on my mantle for 3 weeks that I then Chuck in the bin.

Each to their own, but I certainly wouldn’t judge someone on this little quirk.

Just be thankful that she remembers you.

I’m sorry OP, I’m another who thinks you are unreasonable.
just try to remember, that just because it’s your choice to buy special cards, it does not mean everybody else should.

Oh, for goodness’ sake, it’s a piece of cardboard with some pictures on it. What a ridiculous thing to make a fuss about!

I'm always pleased to get any card at Xmas knowing that friends and family have thought of me.
To expect a 'special' card from someone is unreasonable, yes!
Absolutely

You are being unreasonable, yes. And even if there's a huge back story you are still being unreasonable. She sends you a card when many people have stopped. Accept and move on.

Oh dear, OP you are I’m afraid!

Those “special” cards are absolutely not to my taste frankly I find them entirely naff and a card “from a pack” as you call it would always be preferable- especially a charity card.
You sound rather “grand” to expect a “better” card than that intended for the neighbours (who sends cards to their milkman?)

Do you always send her a special card Kandinsky ? I think that if you do, and she doesn’t reciprocate, only send a box card in future.
I normally send the AC a special one, although haven’t done so this year.

It doesn’t matter about the quality of the card, it’s the thought that went into writing an individual message to you; I’m presuming she did write a message.

I like writing cards and receiving them.

Sorry, yes, I think YABU as well. I do buy special ones sometimes for the family, but to be honest they can be a bit twee and I usually think the ones in the packs are better.

I ordered a cute Baby's First Christmas one with my latest Sainsburys online order and they substituted it with a roll of greaseproof paper, which made me laugh. To be fair I doubt DGS6 would notice the difference.

Yes yellowcanary my DD and I both made 50€ donations to Christian Aid this morning in lieu of cards.

YABU, it’s a card.

Really ? Is this your main upset in the middle of a pandemic ? As the kids would say " get over yourself ! "

I agree that YABU.

As for people giving charity donations, I have heard a number of people saying that they doubt that it is the case, as if it is somehow cheating. There is no real reason why we should spend £££ on buying writing and posting cards. The 'custom' was invented to make profit for the manufacturers, so choosing not to line their pockets doesn't oblige anyone to make a donation or buy something 'worthy' instead, and to expect a relative to buy a particularly expensive card is just ridiculous, I think.

I stopped sending cards years ago, other than to my mum, my MIL and a couple of other older people who would be upset if I didn't. I don't pretend that I am making a donation to anything (I do that all year round with no announcements), I just tell people that cards are not 'my thing' if I'm asked, which I rarely am.

These days, people don't need to send cards to keep in touch in the way that they used to, as they can do that on Facebook etc.