Greetings cards

[pythonmegapixel]

Does anyone else simply absolutely detest greetings cards? They are entirely gratuitous pieces of cardboard, which usually have a glossy coating on them (not great environmentally) and sometimes aren't recyclable at all because of additional features made out of plastic. Also some manufacturers wrap them in another entirely gratuitous piece of plastic. And they essentially achieve the same purpose as a letter, but with far greater environmental impact.

Incidentally, I will absolutely never buy cards from Hallmark, who as far as I'm aware are the company that popularised the commercialisation of Christmas, Valentines' etc, and who put into peoples' heads that they are expected to send cards for virtually anything even remotely noteworthy...

Also, why is it standard for there to be a message pre-printed inside a card? (Or is this a specific thing to the UK?) I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy someone a card, but being too lazy to write "Happy birthday" for themselves. The number of times I've seen what looks like a good picture for someone's birthday on the front of a card, only to find that the inside says something along the lines of "Congratulations on your newborn" or something... why???

[tikker]

Environmental effects aside for a minute, I think cards have their place. They convey a different message than a letter. Of course it all depends on the occasion. I don't just send them around for every opportunity though, only when it's (in my eyes) meaningful to do so, and as you mention typically something handwritten inside to add that personal touch.

 

 

[Spotty]

38 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

The number of times I've seen what looks like a good picture for someone's birthday on the front of a card, only to find that the inside says something along the lines of "Congratulations on your newborn" or something... why???

I can't say that I've ever had that problem. You're obviously picking out the wrong cards for birthday's if they've got messages about new born babies on the inside.

 

The cheaper cards tend to be blank inside, or very generic messages like "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas".

[minibois]

This thread feels like a copypasta

50 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

The number of times I've seen what looks like a good picture for someone's birthday on the front of a card, only to find that the inside says something along the lines of "Congratulations on your newborn" or something... why???

Congratulating someone on the newborn + birthday card does make sense together in a way, since it's the birthday of the new born

[Fatih19]

If you're so concerned about the environment, why not just make your own card? It's just a cardstock paper with a picture printed on it and a handwritten message.

[pythonmegapixel]

Just now, Fatih19 said:

If you're so concerned about the environment, why not just make your own card? It's just a cardstock paper with a picture printed on it and a handwritten message.

Because... that's still a waste of cardboard?

[Mooshi]

[PlayStation 2]

Just seems like you want to be mad about a non-issue to look morally pleasing rather than to just not give a shit about cards like those.

[Spotty]

8 hours ago, minibois said:

Congratulating someone on the newborn + birthday card does make sense together in a way, since it's the birthday of the new born

Only if they are someone who just had a baby and you're giving them a birthday card.... I'm not sure how impressed your wife/girlfriend would be if you gave her a "Congratulations on your baby" card on her birthday.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, Spotty said:

Only if they are someone who just had a baby and you're giving them a birthday card.... I'm not sure how impressed your wife/girlfriend would be if you gave her a "Congratulations on your baby" card on her birthday.

I guess it really depends on if she was wanting a child in the first place. Guess she's getting more than just a birthday cake that night.

[Intergalacticbits]

I like sending Christmas cards and getting them.

It is just another way to be nice to people.

They have a ton of them to choose from so you can always find something you like.

 

Plus greeting card waste just does not make my list of concerns in life.

[minibois]

2 hours ago, Spotty said:

Only if they are someone who just had a baby and you're giving them a birthday card.... I'm not sure how impressed your wife/girlfriend would be if you gave her a "Congratulations on your baby" card on her birthday.

Look, all I'm saying is there  is a scenario where "Happy birthday" paired with "Conglaturation on the newborn" does exist and maybe OP was just looking in the wrong card section.

 

[Lii]

I Just googled them because I had no idea on what they were..

So does still anybody buys them? I've always seen those, wondering if actually someone bull those expensive piece of crap

Though I agree with the author of this thread, they are a waste of resources

[Orange1]

14 hours ago, pythonmegapixel said:

Also, why is it standard for there to be a message pre-printed inside a card?

You can find lots of cards with just blank page inside the card, its just the ones at the dollar store or wherever you go are mostly pre-printed but the rare few would be empty with only a text on the outside. If you hit up an artsy fartsy store or Hallmark store you will find blank cards.