Do you buy birthday cards or do you make your own?
@highflyingxangel (9225)
United States
October 16, 2008 3:03pm CST
Tonight I need to make a shopping trip after I get finished babysitting. I will get paid of course and I need to make a trip for two things. Certain brushes for a lesson plan for my preschool students and I need to buy a birthday card for my grandfather. His birthday is this Saturday and I'm going home for it.
I hate buying birthday cards for several reasons. One, I can never find one that I really like that I think they'll like and two, I hate how expensive some of those cards can be. I've noticed that some cards run about $3 or more and I can't figure out exactly why they're so expensive! Sure they do have cheaper cards available but those aren't always that cheap either. I'm beginning to wonder if I'd just be better off making my own cards. However I don't have a computer print program to make that a possibility.
Do you buy or make birthday cards? Are you like me and tend to stick to the cheaper end of the spectrum or do you just go all out and buy whatever card you think they'll enjoy the most?
7 people like this
49 responses
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I always remember to buy presents, but a lot of the time I forget to buy a card at the same time. I do keep a box of generic birthday cards in the house for emergencies, but sometimes they don't really fit the person. So I just end up making one. Or else I just write from my family to whoever right on the present or gift bag. Sometimes if it is a wrapped gift I will just make a little tag out of the wrapping paper.
2 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
16 Oct 08
[i]Hi angel,
It takes time for me always to find a car because I will choose the nice yet affordable and it's hard really to look for it! LOL!
In the past, I have tried making my own cards but when I am busy, I prefer buying and I will just add a little message!
making our own card is more meaningful![/i]
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I make my own if it is for my mom but the others will have to do with store bought ones. It is a tradition that I have always made my mom one every year since I learned how so I still continue to do so. I get mine from the dollar general for 2 cards for $1.
1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I just buy them at the dollar store and write my own message. Hallmark and the other companies just recycle their cards, they write new messages every 5 years, that's why you can never find anything that really fits anymore. If you have the time you can make them and really put some effort into it, but if you're like the rest of us, just buy one at the dollar store, it will get tossed and you'll only be out $1.00 instead of $5.00.
2 people like this
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Well, whenever someone gives me a birthday card, I read half of the boring poem that they probably read with much more enthusiasm at the store and then I throw it away when they're gone. But not everyone has time or talent or supplies to make their own. So I guess it's just someone you have to do. I wouldn't bother to make one for someone I didn't really know so well. I don't think that birthday cards are thoughtful at all when they're bought, and I wouldn't care not to get one, but I know it's pretty much just an obligation. It helps to put money in it!
2 people like this
@psspurgeon1 (1109)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Well, I do a variety of things. First, I buy a box that has quite a large variety of cards, several of which are birthday cards. The box of cards only costs around 2 dollars. I use that for distant family, friends, things like that. If it's a childs birthday or a grandparent, I have my daughters make them a birthday card. If it's for my husband, I usually buy him a special card and have the girls make him one. If I bought everyone a special birthday card it would cost me a small fortune. Good luck & happy birthday to your grandpa! :-)
2 people like this
@imsilver (1665)
• Canada
2 Jun 09
Scrapbooking is a big hobby around my house. We always make homemade birthday cards for each other and for others. I'm way too camera happy and have TONS of pictures of all my people so when something comes up, I print out a picture or two and the kids and I go to town making some pretty snazzy cards.
@marcialoyd (1173)
• United States
2 Jun 09
I have done both. You can get cards pretty cheap now days at your local dollar stores. The homeade ones are more personal though I think. You can either make them on your computer. Or even get some markers, glitter, etc and decorate a homeade birthday card.
@mag_keizer2007 (1282)
• Canada
16 Oct 08
HEHEHE High Flying, I don't do the birthday card thing for may people. But My daughters go to birthdays alllll the time and I always get them to make theres. For one it is way more personal for 2 they love doing it for them, makes them feel extra special, and 3 everyone enjoys getting ones that are made for them. My step daughter is really crafty with them and adds little things to it, like scrapbooking. When I give my husband a birthday card I usually make it for him as well. I like personalizing them.
Good luck finding that special one.
1 person likes this
@sunny69316 (638)
• China
24 Oct 08
I always buy birthday cards instead of making it,but it will be surely interesting that make my own!!
1 person likes this
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
17 Oct 08
Hi highflyingxangel
When i was younger, I used to create my own card, for whatever the occasion is. i just like it because it will have personal touch. but now that i am so busy its either i buy or i create one using the computer. but what matters most is the thought. whether you buy it or make it as long as it is from your heart, its good to go.
take care
@zeethegr8 (785)
• India
16 Oct 08
I usually buy greetings cards or birthday cards from the nearby card shop. I used to make cards for my friends or relatives when I was young, one of the reasons could be back then I didn't get any pocket money. Now when I get pocket money, I can get them cards. But I do make sure that I write a personalised message instead of just "happy birthday" and "from, me" etc stuff. I mean, we can atleast write a few things for the person appreciating for what he/she means to our life. I write a lot for them, and mean fellows, they say "oh! yours is going to be a long one, I'll read it back home!" LOL.
1 person likes this
@LilPixelle (828)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Meh I just make em, go to the store to get ideas if you like, but just a stencil some glue and glitter can do wonders:P for boys cards, it really depends on what they are into....
Best homemade gifts in my opinion are cookies though, its very rare that someone throws those away:P
1 person likes this
@nandigamharika (159)
• United States
17 Oct 08
hi
Depending on the relation I have with that person I do so.For example if I have good contact and good association with that person I definetely try to make the card by my own which makes them so happy than just giving a card which we get it from the shop.If I dont have that much connection with that person I will try to give the card which I brought from the shop,just for the formality sake.
If I just know the person through mail and through somewebsites I will send them a e-card which also make them happy that we also remembered their birthday.
Happy mylotting
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
22 May 09
I love making birthday cards; reaching into my
stock pile of craft scraps and turning a heap of nothing
into something beautiful. It's all about
imagination and creativity.
And, of course, my daughter always loves
to help me make cards.
It's a nice project for art class.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
29 Mar 09
I buy greeting cards considering that I am not very good with art. I am afraid that the one I will give it to might not like what I give so it better to give something from the store. Though I give importance to the thought written on the card and personally decide on the dedication making it somewhat personal and not just an ordinary card that is obviously bought from a store.
@Metalchick (1391)
•
17 Oct 08
I always find making my own birthday cards to give away is a much more personalised idea and you know the recipient is never going to recieve the same card from someone else. It means a little more too as you have actually put in the effort to make it appreciated and loved.
If I don't have time to make one I will buy one and depending who the card is for determinds how much I am willing to spend.
@emilyr629 (26)
• United States
17 Oct 08
For me it depends on the person. I like to design my own cards using photoshop so mostly I'll do that. However, I also will buy special cards for people I'm close to in my life. It just depends on the situation.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
29 Mar 09
I like funny cards and I usually have a lot on hand already. Everyone who knows me knows about the cards I make so I sometimes switch up from giving stuff I have made.
