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

perhaps OP has been over doing it, with binge watching box sets of Hyacinth Bookay.

I sometimes buy a special card for DS and DiL and always for DGD. Everyone else gets one from a pack and that's all I expect from other people, whether family or friends.

A lot of 'special' cards are cringingly saccharine and I wouldn't give them to anyone since I wouldn't say such things to them!!

All the cards I send are charity cards.

Those shmalzy rhymes inside crack me up! Memories of concocting rhymes in the pub on a Saturday lunchtime with a journalist friend who'd landed such a commission. Much beer drunk while we came up with rhymes.
Happy days!

I too think you are being unreasonable. Worse things to worry about at the moment.

I buy nice charity cards, which I think have more meaning than special cards.

2020..... a worldwide pandemic, millions die, millions more lose their livelihoods, millions of people in poverty, millions of people living in fear and isolation. And someone has sent a Christmas card from a pack.

Yes, you are being unreasonable. If I found out that a brother- or sister-in-law of mine felt as you do, I'd be tempted to stop sending a Christmas card at all because what's the point of being cheerily and ordinarily friendly towards someone so unappreciative and picky and full of their own importance?

I would find such an expectation ridiculously manipulative, not to mention childish.

AIBU on speed.

I used to buy special cards but haven't been near the shops this year so everyone is getting a card from the box of charity cards.
Apart from DH, who is getting a 'special' card which I saved from last year

Be thankful you get a card

I don’t buy special cards for anyone! I simply buy packets of charity cards from museum shops, I would never consider buying a card with ‘to my brother’ etc., on it.

We used to send Christmas cards abroad, but not now, as the postage is expensive and square cards for instance are not normal post so extra.
I just received one from a cousin and it cost £1.45 postage, goodness knows what it will be next year.

I am sure everyone is important in their own way, even the milkman. Possibly the milkman is one of the most important ones at this time of self-isolation and relying on regular deliveries.

Sorry Kadinsky, I agree with most others. Nice that she sends you a card at all.
I do make a 'special card' for the grandchildren, usually something that tickles them.
I did buy a 'special' card for Orlin a few years ago because it was hilarious but didn't say husband on it, it now comes out every year because it remains relevant.
I do buy charity cards and that's what everyone gets. A personal hand written message inside is what's special, in my opinion.

....and the milkman too! Reminds me of my father forbidding my mother from shopping at the open market in town because she might be recognised by the wife of one of his employees. Kandinsky’s post gave me the same uncomprehending feeling that I had when I heard him.

In previous years I have bought separate cards with titles but even from the cheapo shop it still worked out quite a bit of money. This year whilst I can’t get out I have bought charity packs on line which work out cheaper still and the charity gets a contribution. So my family will have a smaller untitled card but know they are helping.

My sister and brother-in-law had a card from a pack from me as well.
I think there's more important things to fuss about than sending the 'wrong' card to someone.

Individually purchased cards for Christmas are an absolute rip-off in my opinion, I don’t buy them for anybody - what’s important is the message inside, although for very close family I might make a card. So yes, I think you are being unreasonable, sorry.

We are buying hedgehog food for our local wildlife sanctuary instead of cards

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.

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

YABU, it’s a card.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?)