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

I have never bought a special Christmas card for anyone, always charity cards with a religious theme. People within my household wouldn’t have one from me either.

I have to be honest, some years I send cards, some I don’t, sometimes they’re special, sometimes they’re not, all a bit hit and miss in our house !! I just wouldn’t get upset either way and just be glad you got a card ! Far more important things to get het up about, especially this year lol !

I have found that a lot of the "special " cards are not only expensive but the wording inside is so mushy that they smack as being insincere so rarely buy them apart from occasionally for a birthday.
I can see nothing wrong in giving or receiving a card from a pack . You can write exactly as much or as little as you want - sincere words that are thoughtful .

It's much too trivial to get upset about, there are worse things she could do such as not bother at all, so why worry?

Is this for real?! My younger sister has stopped sending cards except for elderly relatives, and I sometimes think I should follow suit. My distant relatives love some photos in mine, so I do that though I avoid the round Robin letter. That is more worthwhile than the over commercialised special cards. And if it is close family then a personal word is better than a relative card

Yup

My daughter and I , have given the same cards to each other for the last 15 years , it’s very interesting to go back and read the messages from previous years , it’s a real keepsake .I treasure it .

We buy a special pack for my in-laws, my dad and sister. Everyone else gets a bit standard pack. I would not expect any individual cards, but my in-laws sent a to son and family.

Yes, all my family send and receive special cards. You’re not alone.

Apart from the Children of the family, I stopped sending paper greetings cards years ago!
I send them Electronically, and feel that it's somewhat saving the environment, helping prevent bugs and viruses, especially from those who insist on licking the envelope glue to seal it up, and continue to do so even when they are ill, potentially sending their germs to infect again!
I also give an annual donation to a charity equivalent to the money saved by not sending cards, and even some of my Grandchildren now request that they prefare to get a Birthday greeting and maybe a bit of pocket money electronically rather than the actually thing!

Well I'm going to buck the trend Kandinsky and say YNotBU. As you say she's your H's only sibling so a more personal card would indeed be nice. Special cards are not expensive and I always buy them for extended family, and really nice charity cards for friends and neighbours etc. Some of the people on our card list we have known for nearly 50 years but no longer see them so a particularly nice card and letter at Christmas is important to them. This year I made all my cards, all personalised for each recipient, simply because I didn't want to visit my favourite card shop where distancing is impossible. Could it be that your SIL also didn't want to go to a card shop whereas she could grab a pack of simpler cards with her groceries? Do you send her a special card?

I can only say that I feel a great relief this year to receive any cards and know that friends and family are all still here. I remember when the AC got married sending a "Daughter & Son in law" card for a couple of years but I think I was just overcome by the novelty of it all! Even a huge box of cards are chosen by the sender and they think of you as they are writing them so that should be enough.

My dh writes the cards - working from last years received cards kept for this purpose. I can't be bothered. Should I receive one of those round robin letters, usually boasting of family achievement during the year, they go (unread) straight to bin.
As most people are glued to phones these days, the e-cards are probably the way forward for people who need to contact others at Christmas.

I’m afraid I did agree with Kandinsky but this year I’ve changed my mind somewhat. I’ve always bought those close family special cards and been a bit miffed if I’ve not received a special card back. But this year on my one and only shopping trip out as we’re shielding I went fairly late in the evening to a card shop in town to buy them, it was dark, started to rain and cold and there was a queue of about 15 people, I took one look thought forget it. So I came home went online to a funny shop and bought normal ones saving myself a fortune which I can ill afford into the bargain. I stamped ‘brother, sister in law etc’ on them as I do a bit of crafts now and then and was relieved after I chucked them in the post. The postage was horrendous and will be more next year so I’m going to rethink the whole card situation now anyway. I ended up begrudging most of them in the end as they’d caused me so much hassle. Maybe your sister in law couldn’t be arsed with the queues either?

Have you not given a thought to how that person would have had to stand in a card shop full of people sifting through the “special” cards. Yes unreasonable of you I think. Pack of charity cards every time. I always cut up the cards after Christmas and use as gift tags.

hi kandinsky,this is my first time of posting,but i felt i should because nobody agreed with you about special cards,i too send special cards so you have at least one ally!!

Oh dear - sorry. Really can't see the problem at all.

I send a “special couple” card to my cousin, she sends me one, and I know it means a lot to her. That’s it. Each to their own eh?

My sister always buys 'special-expensive) cards for close family. I buy a box of cards and send to all, including delivery people ie the postman etc as well as family and friends. Whatever card it is it shows they have thought about you and at the end of the holiday they all get recycled or thrown in the bin.

Regarding Christmas cards everyone gets one from whichever pack of charity cards I've bought, always depicting a nativity scene or similar. When it comes to birthday cards I choose a suitable one for the recipient's interests or hobbies.

Its the thought that counts

I think any card is important this year especially

Gave up sending Christmas cards years ago and really don't like the personalised ones at all.
I think there's so much about Christmas that can be misconstrued and consequently causes upset....just let it all wash over you!

Well you are a miserable sanctimonious lot! Each to their own but I'm glad you're not in my circle of friends, I love sending and receiving cards.

Yes, unless she usually gives you one and has failed this time, I can’t see an issue! I only receive one “special” card, from a very sentimental niece, and never send them. Usually they are a bit ? tacky IMHO but each to their own!