Chortle Chook Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I've had some lovely cards this year but also some odd ones. One from my sister of a Japanese screen. I just can't think what it has to do with Christmas, winter, or the season I was also taken totally by surprise when a really sweet, sensitive card arrived this morning from someone who just a week ago hid behind some shelves in a shop so she did not have to talk to me . But this year's odd card prize has to go to a friend who sent me a card, professionally printed and made of expensive quality paper, of a drawing done by one of her children - the sort that would normally go on a loving parent's fridge. I'm used to getting cards containing photos of children I've never met, and accept that at this time of year I'm bound to get at least one circular about the fantasic achievements of someone's smallest, but a professionally printed scribble ??? I don't like children's drawings at the best of times (unless they really have talent which normally they don't) but at Christmas and from a child I haven't seen in years? Perhaps next year I'll be sent a professional recording of said child on the drums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 The parents usually get those made up by the school; the service is offered and funds usually go to charity or school funds. I am always touched to receive one and make sure to phone up and congratulate the child concerned on their artwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 I would if it was good but it is not. Child is 11 and it looks like the drawing of a 5 year old. Also I don't know the child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 We did once have some of these cards from YD's primary school, ahe was about 10 at the time and the picture that she had drawn was of a hen on a nest in a stable, we thought that it was lovely, whether other people agreed or not I don't know, but the school made some money. I would rather have a child's drawing, children love Christmas, than a photograph of them, which I feel is a little egotistical. We have had one from a friend who's little girl is her world this year and although it is very cute, I do find it a little odd. I also had one from an old school friend which was a flat card featuring some baubles and a few photos from her wedding earlier this year. My OH thought that this was really tacky, but I thought that it was a lovely way to update people who you can't see regularly, on a happy event. She looked lovely and so happy, she has had a rough time in recent years, so I am very pleased for her. We don't see each other, but keep in touch with Christmas and Birthday cards and through a mutual friend, so it was lovely to see her so happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Definitely one we got from sunny California. It's brilliant. It has a sunbathing flamingo under a palm tree. It's wearing green sunglasses, a Santa hat, has a wreath round it's neck and a bauble on it's beak. " Christmas wishes from the coast". I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 The prize in my family has to go to a card sent to my brother - it was a picture of a cute baby hedgehog all snuggled up in his bed - lovely - but the message inside was odd to say the least ... "this reminds me of your dad" urm, how, exactly - he didn't have hedgehogs in his garden and certainly didn't look like one. The sender of the card can be a bit "odd" and has very dodgy eyesight, so I'm wondering if she thinks the picture is of something other than a cute hedgehog ... I've had a few of the children's painted Christmas cards - have to say, I love them, so much so, I tend to keep them (partly as something with which to wind up the artist when they are older!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 I saw a card on our seniour exec's desk from a seniour exec from one of our supplier companies with 3 little mice on the front and underneath it said "Wee little voices raised in wee little songs of joy" Made me It seemed incongruous for a business card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 No odd ones as yet! But I do have a lovely one kept frm last year. You press a button & it has fibre optics in it that twinkle on the Xmas tree - beautiful..not tacky! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I would if it was good but it is not. Child is 11 and it looks like the drawing of a 5 year old. Also I don't know the child. bah humbug to shabby chic. I feel you miss the point, it's no different to any other card; the sentiment is from the sender to you i.e. thinking of you at Christmas. The fact the picture is by the child is neither here or there. I send my cards as wishes for the season not so the recipients can evaluate my sons art work. (most of them won't know him either) Charity begins at home and as mentioned above its a way for the school to generate funds. this means a parent can see real value buying cards in this way. Is it better for a card company, shop or supermarket- where probably most cards you receive come from- to make a profit from our card buying on the pretence that a percentage (usually very small) goes to charity. My sons school used the money really well last year to fund things not usually available, for example extra books, IT stuff and finance for kids that can't usually afford trips etc Personally I don't care what the card looks like, it's the thought that counts. So I'm very pleased to be sent a "card" by my friend that consists of a s"Ooops, word censored!" of paper the size of a match box with a crudely cut Christmas picture stuck on it, which I imagine is cut from a card she received last year. The whole thing was sent in a envelope so thin that it didnt make it intact and you can see through it. My husband and I smiled when we saw it and laughed that it made it to us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 The most bizarre card I ever saw was to my parents from my brother's MIL. She is a bit of a peculiar lady who has a slightly weird obsession with rabbits. She had drawn a picture (she is actually very artistic) of their family as rabbits, wearing Christmas jumpers with their initials on so you could tell who was who... all very odd! They had been professionally printed so I can only assume everyone on her Christmas card list received one that year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Now I'd love a card like your ' rabbit' one. I think it shows creative flair & imagination. I appreciate cards made by parents with the help of their children's art work - no matter what their ability is. I think they are unique in a good way & very personal. The parents are obviously very proud of their children & want to share how much joy they got from such pictures. I think it's lovely. I got a reindeer card last year - made from my nephews painted foot & some pipe cleaner antlers. It was priceless & very special. I'm the sort of Aunty who keeps all these special little things he gives me. I have a pebble off Aberystwyth beach, a butterfly sticker & a hard piece of playdough with his finger prints in it. All these little presents - I will show him when he is about 18 & we can talk & have a giggle about them. I no doubt will start getting niece presents too next year. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 No odd cards yet! I am always tempted to cut the fronts off Christmas cards and reuse them by sending them as Christmas postcards the following year...my closest friends would understand why I might do this but I expect others might think it very odd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I cut the fronts off cars when I take them down on 12th night and use them the following year for gift tags. Some I have used to make new cards. The backs of the cards I recycle. I've not had any weird cards, but I do get a little miffed when people can't be bothered to even say who the card is to, and just sign with their names. I don't do a huge message but I do try and make sure I name everyone in my cards and wish them seasons greetings. To me, sending a card is like a little present to everyone, especially as I make all mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Not an odd card as such, but a card with no writing in it so I've no idea who it's from . It's from Glasgow and I don't know anyone in Glasgow who would normally send us a card . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I always make my own Xmas cards, which consists of a picture of my kids in some Xmas related pose... We also have the artwork ones from school. I find this more personal, than a standard card from a shop. I started making those cards with pics because I received one once with a beautiful black and white photo of the sender's kids, and I thought it was lovely, and actually kept the card rather than recycled it. It would never occur to me that it would be egotistical, I like kids, and seeing pictures of them rather than a random shop bought Xmas scene makes Xmas feel more special and family-oriented to me. I know that in our family especially, the great aunts and uncles, and the grandparents, all also like the cards, and I love receiving photo/artwork ones from anyone, friend or family... we got a beautiful drawing this year on a card, a drawing a little girl made of her dog, and it was certainly more special than a standard shop card. I also don't think the drawings have to be good to be appreciated. I just like the effort the kids make, and the money it raises for the schools, and the joy on the kids faces when they get their own pack of cards with their own design on. They get lots of them from their friends too, and we always sit and look at everybody's designs with 'oohs' and 'aahs'... we don't often 'ooh' or 'aah' about a shop bought card. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the shop bought ones, of course I appreciate everyone who bothers to send some thoughts, but to me the personal ones definitely are more memorable. No odd ones yet this year for us... we had one last year signed by a couple of names that I didn't recognise, I think it was 'Susan' and a common male name I can't remember, and neither myself nor OH had any idea who it was... we also get the occasional card with hurried signatures we can't read, and the whole family ends up pouring over the name trying to decipher it... The best non personal one we ever got was from our babysitter, who gave us a card with little brussels sprouts dressed in Xmas hats... It was very cute!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 Sorry, did not mean to annoy people with my comment about children's drawn cards. As CatieB says it is indeed 'the thought that counts' which is why I was a tad upset by it. Anyone who thought about me at all would not have sent me a child's drawing. Sending me a child's drawing is like me sending cards signed by my greyhounds or chickens to someone who is not interested in dogs or chickens. Anyway - enough of that. Thanks to Dogmother I'll understand the card next time I get one and won't just assume (as I did) that it was the parent just being boastfull or very American. P.S. I rather like the sound of the rabbit cards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I get where you are coming from with the printed children's drawing card. My son's school did it and I understand that it's a way of raising much needed funds but I agonised over who to send the rest of my pack of cards to once I'd done grandparents Don't get me wrong I have boxes (and boxes) of treasured handmade cards and little notes from my boys over the years, but the cards just made me uncomfortable about sending out to people who had no interest in my son's artistic efforts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 I think you have to be close to the individual child or to children of that age group to take and interest in their artistic efforts (or musical efforts come to that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I think you have to be close to the individual child or to children of that age group to take and interest in their artistic efforts (or musical efforts come to that) I agree. I love kids nativity plays although I appreciate few beyond parents/grandparents do. When I was a school governor at the infant school I was moved to moist eyes during one play which was a little embarrassing when I had to then stand up and give the vote of thanks to the teachers But I really get that even some of the parents would have been sitting there bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I must admit that even as a parent I found it hard when mine were at primary school going along to listen to them murdering musical instruments and singing out of tune. On the other hand we did see some lovely plays too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Phew for a moment I had to check it wasnt me who sent the card My sons nursey do those cards I normally manke my own but this year time has prevented it so I have sent those cards to close friends and family and the odd person we dont see that much but I still care about enough to send to. My two older kids school also did cards which I bought and sent out to the neigbours but I was really upset with the school as we were charged £5 for 10 and the qulaity was hmmmmm rather **** floppy card if you can call it card and the coluors didnt print well. wont be falling for that trick again. I have had a lush card with a chicken with keg warmers and a wolly hat on (my 7 better run next year as im planning their outfits in my head already !) Hubby also gave me a Keith Lemon card but he didnt realise after the message said by Keith it then goes on to say 'Youve put a bit of timber on I ve got to tell you' luckily I saw the funny side !! but he was a bit sheepish when he gave it to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 We have a priceless piece of hate mail from Mother in Law this year (she's off on one at the moment ) She's written her nasty message in a card which has a picture of a dove and the inscription Peace on Earth I'll keep it with the hate mail OH received in a birthday card from his brother a few years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Wow . That's the winner in my book . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Not again I am so glad that my ex-MiL is no longer alive. Sad but true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Wow makes my ex step MIL look quite reasonable. Was the card design a deliberate ironic statement do you think ? or is she that oblivious ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
