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Is it tacky to send "relation" cards?

(122 Posts)
Unigran4 Sun 07-Nov-21 22:03:52

I remember my Mum being quite disgusted with the introduction of birthday/Christmas cards to "son", "daughter", "cousin" "aunt" etc saying they were "common".

I have also seen a comment from another Gransnetter saying such cards are "tacky".

Thoughts please.

dragonfly46 Mon 08-Nov-21 07:50:15

The tackier the better at Christmas. I always buy special cards for DD and DS. They are usually big ones too!

Hetty58 Mon 08-Nov-21 07:50:46

Not everyone 'does' cards. Sending them is rather outdated and environmentally unfriendly. We send a text instead, call them - or if it's a big birthday or special occasion we sometimes send a note.

FannyCornforth Mon 08-Nov-21 08:07:14

I agree wholeheartedly with MissA
I have a gorgeous big Christmas card with a photograph of a beautiful kitten, which says in big gold loopy writing ‘To my Wonderful Granddaughter’.
My Nan died earlier this year, but I will probably still put up that card, or at least look at it fondly smile

Visgir1 Mon 08-Nov-21 08:09:20

MissAdventure

I cherish the cards I have from my daughter which say "Mum" on them.
I'm never going to be called that again.
So, eff what others think and send a big, glorious card celebrating your relatives.

Well said, I'm no one's daughter now. I still have the last card my mum sent me, with daughter on it.

SpringyChicken Mon 08-Nov-21 08:15:46

I’d give the world to be able to send brother, sister, mum and dad cards again.

JaneJudge Mon 08-Nov-21 08:17:12

The ones my Mum and Aunt sent me this year made me cry blush

Shelflife Mon 08-Nov-21 08:23:01

Not tacky at all! Not sure about round robin Christmas letters though.

henetha Mon 08-Nov-21 10:05:23

I don't regard it as tacky. I like named cards.

MamaCaz Mon 08-Nov-21 12:14:07

I don't often send these cards, but I don't think they are tacky.

The verses inside, however, are (to me) often another matter - my mum often sends me such cards, and the verses make me cringe - not that I would ever tell her that, of course.

As someone above said, if you like sending them and, as far as you know, the recipients are happy to receive them, carry on sending them and don't worry about what anyone else might think of them.

FarNorth Mon 08-Nov-21 12:59:17

Many greetings cards are 'tacky' whether they mention relations or not.
I have to like the whole card I'm buying, with or without relation (or name) designation.

Wheniwasyourage Mon 08-Nov-21 14:12:21

They're not something my family ever sent, and DH and I don't send them (we prefer funny ones, which some people don't like either). DDiL's family do send them, and if we get one from any of them we appreciate the thought just as much as if it was any other card.

Why does it matter what anyone else thinks of a card you've put thought into choosing for someone? To coin a phrase - it's the thought that counts!

travelsafar Mon 08-Nov-21 14:19:31

I have a huge stash of cards sent to me by my children, i cant bear to throw away. Also how happy i am that i always kept those sent by my late husband with WIFE for birthdays, anniversarys and Christmas. To see his hand writing and read the words in the cards and his own messages that he wrote bring me great pleasure as well as some tears. The CCard from last year will take pride of place again this year as it was the last one from him.

MissAdventure Mon 08-Nov-21 14:20:27

smile

GillT57 Mon 08-Nov-21 14:26:19

I don't think anyone criticises chatty, friendly letters popped into Christmas cards, it is the boastful ones sent to all and sundry which grind most people's gears. As to personal cards, I have a little stash of cards from when my children were small, and a few from mum and dad addressed to dear daughter, however, I don't send them myself anymore as I only send cards to those I will not see over Christmas. When they were little, my children loved getting Dear Granddaughter and Dear Grandson cards, it made them feel special.

MerylStreep Mon 08-Nov-21 14:38:58

The tackier and smuttier the better, that’s what I give. But obviously only to my daughter and friends with a good sense of humour.
Me and my daughter had to leave a card shop the other day because of the laughter ?

Daisend1 Mon 08-Nov-21 15:17:51

Many like to receive cards that show they are a parent/ another kind of relative / friend If you can give happiness you don't need any one else's approval in the manner you carry it out.

AGAA4 Mon 08-Nov-21 15:53:48

I always send and receive cards that some call tacky. I treasure the ones I have from my family.
There are some very judgemental people around.

aonk Mon 08-Nov-21 16:07:28

I’m not comfortable with this type of card but see no reason why others shouldn’t send them if they wish. I like to write a personal message in my cards.

SueDonim Mon 08-Nov-21 16:18:27

If it makes you happy, do it! Don’t worry about what others think. smile

Wheniwasyourage Mon 08-Nov-21 17:54:26

My cards from the family may not say "Mum" or "Granny" on them, but if they make me laugh or have photos on, as they often do now, I still keep them and look at them from time to time. I know who they were for!

SueDonim is quite right about doing what makes you happy.

ElaineI Mon 08-Nov-21 23:10:23

I like and use Mum, Dad, Daughter etc cards and I do and like Christmas letters as me and friends use them as a way of catching up when we don't live near. This year will be an update on DH stroke and recovery as some of my friends don't know he was ill. I learn about new grandchildren, jobs, houses via the letters and I don't care if people scorn them on here or anywhere else. I only send them to close friends who send their own back not to everyone who get cards. And in case people want to get at me for sending cards they are from a charity close to my heart and some from DGS1 school that the children have designed for fund raising.

icanhandthemback Tue 09-Nov-21 10:45:49

Who decides if things are tacky or not? My daughter wouldn't wear sparkly stuff, her step-sister loves it! Neither are wrong, its just a matter of an individual's taste and quite frankly, if they are that fussy, they should learn to suck it up!

Davida1968 Tue 09-Nov-21 10:47:46

Like other GNs here, I say send the cards that you want to send! (We're all different and we may like different styles/sentiments.) It doesn't matter what other people think. Simply enjoy the sending/receiving; that what it's all about.

jaylucy Tue 09-Nov-21 10:52:41

If you like sending them, why not ?
I have sent them in the past and really the only reason that I stopped was because the words inside the cards were so naff!
Oh, and I also send the rellies and friends overseas "Across the Miles" cards. Is that tacky too ??

Nannashirlz Tue 09-Nov-21 11:13:05

Call me common then lol because I always send them son granddaughter grandson daughter inlaw cousin etc as I say my money my choice