Birthday cards - what a rip-off

Bogof_Babe

Bought two bog standard cards today - £4.58! :mad: They were for my teenage nephew (one from us, one from his grandparents, athough they didn't even say "nephew", "grandson" - but it is so hard to find something that isn't all flowers.)

Anyway every time I fork out for a birthday card, I grit my teeth at the ridiculous cost - considering you can get a whole box of Christmas cards for less than the price of one birthday card.

I have a friend who makes her own, but after getting the proper bits and pieces for them, she reckons she doesn't really save much.

All I can think of is to buy gift vouchers for a couple of quid, which include a free card. This means the recipient has to make up the cost, to get something worthwhile with them.

Any other suggestions? Can you make genuinely home-made ones that don't look too tacky? Or use a fortune in cartridge ink.

sugarplum

Phoenix Trading do gorgeous cards which are £1 each or 90p each if you buy 10 or more. They don't sell through shops, it's a home selling thing like Betterware. If you can find a trader in your area you won't be disappointed with what you get.

Bogof_Babe

Oh thanks, I'll have to look out for that. Wonder if they have a website? :beer:

furrypig

I completely agree with you bogof babe! I particularly dislike buying expensive cards for kids as if they are like mine they take little notice of them. I begrudge spending ££££'s on cards that at the end of the day (or in this house a week after the birthday) end up in the bin.

I have made some cards on the computer mainly for thank you's, there are some good value cards in packs for kids in Tesco, there are a few shops (the works is one and a newsagent near my parents in Essex) that do 3 cards for £1 they are generally pretty good.

Most people in my family like cards that the kids make, I just supply card and lots of art n craft bits (can be anything really!) and it keeps them amused and we end up with some fantastic creations! Not very expensive and good value as they keep the kids amused for ages!

Poppy9

There are lots of shops in the city centre that sell cheap but nice cards ie. 50p. Also their wrapping paper is only 15p per sheet. Most are independants but Wilkinson also sells a nice selection for under a quid.

Also keep a lookout in Birthdays sale. I buy all my family xmas cards in advance and any birthday anniversary available. I also buy just a general selection to stockpile and keep in my desk at work.

sugarplum

http://www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/

It doesn't tell you much but there a phone number and email address so they could probably help you find a local stockist!

juno

There's a chain of shops called Card Warehouse that do cards from 29p for one, or they have some 5 for £1. They're mostly flowery or girlie, but they do have some more manly ones.

Lucie_2

I usually buy M&S ones for £1. I try to buy all the ones I need for a certain month all together so I don't forget anyone. I begrudge spending more than £1 on a card, which will be chucked away in a couple of days.
I send quite a lot of e-cards to friends, much cheaper & better for the environment than all that waste paper

Quackers

juno wrote:

There's a chain of shops called Card Warehouse that do cards from 29p for one, or they have some 5 for £1. They're mostly flowery or girlie, but they do have some more manly ones.

This is where I get most of my cards from. I got gorgeous Mothers Day cards for only £1 each - The words were lovely and they were quite big too.

I've got a 10yr old daughter who loves Art so she makes a lot of cards for family members - sooo much cheaper

furrypig

Where are card Warehouse shops??

The worst thing about living in Surrey is everyone is meant to be posh and I moved here and said 'where are the cheap shops/pound shops etc etc' it drives me mad!

halloweenqueen_2

I agree made sure my kids didn't buy cards for Mothers day - made their own! When i buy cards I usually get the kiddie ones from Tesco that are 25p each - they don;t care as long as theres a prezzie to unwrap and they're not bad. Other half paid £4.99 for mothers day card - I saved him with coupons as it was in tesco, but its ridiculous. I have shopped carefully for cards since I got 3 cards in a card shop and it cost me over £7.
I have made my own but I'm fairly self critical of them and it doesn't really save any money.
I have cross stitched some lovely cards for special family members but it takes a while!
A lot of cheapy shops have cards and I try and get some from there and a few spares for unexpected days!