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

I always get special cards for our children and grandchildren and 3 close friends. All reciprocate with special cards for DH and I. I see nothing wrong with that as it gives me joy and (hoarder alert!) I don’t throw them away in January. If I was the OP I would send one from a box in future and not worry about it, but that’s just me?

Just because its your choice to buy special cards does not mean that SL does not choose her card to you with thought just because it came from a pack which she has chosen to buy.

I think you have taken all that criticism very well Kandinsky.
While I agree with lots of the points made here,, I feel sorry for you.
Some people like special cards, I've been known to send and receive them on occasions, naff or not.
Happy Christmas.

Thanks for that Phloembundle many people buy cards and give to charity not that it should be anyone else's business. Cards arriving from friends and family give a lot of pleasure which is in short supply at the moment.

Gosh, I’ll be impressed if my son and DIL manage a card at all. New baby. Busy jobs. I don’t care.

I wouldn't dream of buying a special card. In fact we don't send cards to immediate family. If thats all you have to worry about, you're very lucky.

I received a text from a very dear friend the other day. She has been working from home for months. She is one of the most generous people that I know. She said having had so much time at home (she is a very high-flying tax expert), has given her and her husband time to reflect. They are going to have a very simple Christmas this year and the money they would normally spend on fancy food, presents and cards will be donated to charity. She would like to reflect this in donating to a charity of her friends' choice and asked that people text back with their preferred charity.
I thought that this was a beautiful thing to do. I texted my choice of charity and she responded with a promise to donate.

You don't give special cards to people because you have loadsamoney. You don't send ordinary cards to people because you don't "care enough to send the very best" to borrow the Hallmark slogan. If you have the time and the inclination to worry about this ridiculous thing... well, I envy you.

Let it go its only a card! Its no biggy with all that's going on the world a special card isn't the be all and end all! Be grateful you've got a card plenty of people won't be receiving cards from loved ones and friends who aren't here anymore. Look at the bigger picture.

I'm actually genuinely sorry for you if you're hurt by the fact your SIL sends a card from a pack, as it's horrid to be disappointed. However I cannot for the life of me get why you think it's a slight. Many people, me included, think those ‘to my brother & family’ type cards are utterly naff - after all, your brother and family know who they and you are! - and these days I feel it's nice just to receive a card at all!

How ungrateful! No one HAS to send cards, so surely you should be thankful she sends you one at all!!

My cards from Oz consisted of one with a kangaroo and one with coloured parrots----and I was delighted ! They were from D and a separate one from AGC's. When I was in Oz for a few Christmas's, everyone received kangaroos, parrots and koalas on their cards

Isn't it just nice to receive a card whatever it might be ? Doesn't bother me that they haven't paid £££'s, ( except for the postage )

Kandinsky

You’re all so lovely on here you really are.
Sometimes we are so set in our ways we just can’t see any other point of view.
Thank you for making me realise this - I know it’s a silly minor ‘problem’ especially in such troubled times, but that just goes to show how tunnel visioned I am in certain areas.

Happy Christmas to you all, and all the very best for the new year. ???

For those who think this is a wind-up, or have not RTFT, the OP has responded graciously with the above reply.

I’ve thought of not sending cards and donating money to food bank but.....we’re in our mid-late seventies......they’d think we shuffled off the mortal coil!! ???. C’mon, there’s always something to laugh at, even if it’s‘gallows’ humour!! Merry Yule!

I’m with twinnytwin. My mother passed away this time last year and my brother sorted all her things out. He returned to me all the lovely cards I had sent to mum and dad over the years that she kept and cards to just her when dad passed years earlier. It was really nice to see them again because l knew just how much they meant to her.

I have to say that I am completely with the OP on this one. It has always annoyed me too - no names, no pack drill. Obviously I am also being unreasonable. Hey ho

Sorry I do think YABU. I only buy a special card for my mum (I’m widowed so no hubby). Everyone else gets a good quality box card. I only posted 21 this year. One abroad and 20 2nd class. Cost was over £17. So expensive.

Hi I haven’t read through all the responses but I think ‘Summerlove’s’
comment hit the nail on the head.

I never buy those ‘special’ cards - I often find them too corny - I like to write my own message.

Everyone, including close family, gets a card from a charity pack at Christmas. TBH it wouldn’t occur to me to object to receiving a ‘pack’ card from anybody.

Of course I buy special cards..... I wait until they are remaindered in January
One year I managed to find 50 assorted 'Special' cards for £5
Then comes the fun of allocating them My 69 year old brother much enjoyed a sombre looking card addressed to 'my favorite brother on his 100 th birthday' and wishing him 'peace and contentment'
A former land lord who kept a bookshop marvelled that someone had asked him for a card for ' my blue-eyed brother in law'
There is also the fun of writing Constance Spry type verses. Just one small proviso. Choose your recipients carefully..... otherwise no card really could be a better option

I buy special cards for my grown up children and their families, all other relatives get the charity cards I also send to my friends. They do the same with me. We're all happy about it.

Whoever asked ‘Who give a card to the milkman?’ - we do! With something inside.
Always have, and for some years now he’s been coming at about 2-3 am, so IMO if anyone’s deserving, he is.

My dh and his brother used to send each other's cards back for years, suitably annotated ...

Sorry I love special cards and give/send them to my daughters and Granddaughters, best friend, and two godchildren . We all like it in our family and have always done it. Each to their own everyone must do as they like but don’t criticise just because you don’t like it

My sister & I both liked the cards we brought each other 21 years ago, so we kept them & they come out every year !! I’ve saved a fortune.
The only special cards I but are sons & partners and Grandchildren. X