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Birthday cards/gifts. Before the birthday or on the day? : AskUK
Main Post: Birthday cards/gifts. Before the birthday or on the day? : AskUK
Birthday cards are a complete waste, both for the giver and the receiver
Main Post:
This really goes for all types of cards for special events that giving gifts are apart of.
Firstly, the giver has to spend a few extra dollars for a peice of paper with words on it that they deep down know nobody cares about but gets anyways because it's common to do so in society.
The receiver then has to spend extra time to "read" the card and act like they care, when in reality they will just throw it away after the person leaves or keep it with a collection of other useless cards because they would feel bad for throwing it away.
Both parties lose. The gift is all that matters.
Top Comment:
I agree with this about those dumbass hallmark cards, they’re generic and don’t mean anything. But, hand made cards aren’t a waste, when you pour time and effort into making a card and writing a message yourself, those mean a lot. I have always made cards by hand, it’s a lot of work sometimes but when people are genuinely happy to open it it makes me really happy
What the hell are you meant to write in birthday cards??
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To _____ Happy Birthday From _____
Nothing more to be said??????
Top Comment: "I hope you have an awesome day," something like that. Something I learnt from how my younger brother writes cards: write big, write enthusiastically. It takes up more space and it looks happier.
I suck at writing out birthday cards.
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It’s just so cringe. I gave one to a friend last week and she told me it was really impersonal. Yep, it was... I never have the slightest idea what to write. I hate trying to come up with gushy stuff to say.
Top Comment: My default is to say "Hope you have/had a nice day" (depending on when they're getting it). The twist is that I write everything in mirror writing. People are usually impressed by the effort, think it's a bit special, and then realise it's very me.
what is up with the price of birthday cards in America?
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This was the one puzzle I could never crack about US prices. The massive racket that is the greetings card business. On the east coast at least.
It's literally a piece of card with a picture on it. And yet the base price is about $6, going up to $8 or $9 if it's remotely fancy (papyrus etc). Is there some kind of card mafia controlling the market?
Top Comment: You can get birthday cards for a $1 at the 99 cent store. Go there instead. You're paying for the brand if you get those $8 cards.
Birthday cards are pointless if you are able to see the person on their birthday
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It's my birthday today and it occurred to me that there is no point in handing somebody a card that says happy birthday when you can just say it.
I understand if you can't make it to the person's party or you can't see them on the day then it makes sense to send a card through the mail. It doesn't even matter if it arrives a day late, the sentiment is still there - But handing somebody a card which says something you can easily say to them in person is pointless.
Top Comment:
I’ve kept every single birthday card I’ve ever received in a box under my bed back home(currently away at college). I’ve looked back at them over the years and I feel extremely loved.
Does anyone else consider cards for celebrations (Birthday, Christmas etc) and certain days of the year (Mothers/Fathers day) completely pointless and a waste of money?
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Seeing as it’s Mothers Day today, I thought I’d see other peoples opinion. My reasoning for it is you’re walking into a shop, maybe taking a minute or two at most to look out a card balancing humour, sentiment and cost... a card which has been mass produced in a factory along with millions of other cards and bought by millions of other people, so the sentiment for me is completely lost there. Then you’ve got the laborious passing of the card onto the recipient who looks at it for all of 10 seconds and give you either an “Awwww” or a “LOL” at best (depending on the context of the card). It then sits on a unit for a couple of days if you’re lucky then gets thrown in the bin.
I’m all for gifts at Birthdays, Christmas and so on, but the card part for me just seems redundant and simply a way for retail to squeeze even more money out the consumer. Don’t even get me started on the variety of nonsense cards nowadays - seen one at Valentines for “Work Hubby” and “Work Wifey” 🤢
Top Comment: I don’t care about cards it’s a waste of money to get me one but I’d never not get a card for someone like my mum who a card is really important to. if I know someone puts a value on cards I’ll buy one because it’s unnecessarily mean otherwise.
Throwing out birthday cards
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Ever since my early teenage years I have always had a thing for keeping birthday/Christmas cards that people would give to me. I had always felt bad throwing them out, because I had always thought of them as gifts from people. Does or has anyone else ever suffered from this?
I am currently going through my room and decluttering after reading many posts on this community and have realized that is one of the number one things I am throwing out. I made it a new rule that if they are not handwritten cards, I will throw them out, and this has been so liberating. The reason I am keeping the handwritten ones is because I feel as though the person truly put the time, effort, and love towards writing out a message to me and I appreciate those.
Sorry for rambling but I had to put this out there and see if there was anyone else who had dealt with this and potentially help anyone who may be dealing with this right now.
Top Comment: Some people make art projects out of old cards. Might be fun to get a special shaped hole punch or cut out shapes then make some kind of collage. I also tend to keep a lot of cards. It's nice having ones signed by my grandparents now that they aren't all still with us. I would hold onto at least one with signatures from older relatives if you feel close to them.