Bought Greeting Cards Lately? Not Very Frugal . . .
Recently, my wife was buying some greeting cards and was complaining about the ridiculous prices-- $4, $5, $6 a piece? She opted for the $0.99 and $1.99 cards instead.
I don't know where these major greeting cards companies get off, but it is just some printed paper that is cut and folded . . .
There are frugal alternatives:
- Visit (Worth quite a bit to many people)
- Call (Almost as good as being there)
- Send a video greeting
- Send a heartfelt letter
- Send an email
- Make a card (Personally, I like these from the kids)
- Send an e-card (Fast and usually free)
- Breakdown and go with the alternative cards ($0.99 or $1.99)
I am sorry, but $4 or more for something that ends up in the trash bugs me . . . what do you think?
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Categories: Money Savers, Consumerism, Free Resources, Frugality, Personal Philosophy
Tags: Ideas Consumerism Free Resources Frugality Money Savers Frugal Tips Tricks Techniques Personal Philosophy
We've convinced ourselves that being there and having a gift is okay, but getting a card (that someone else wrote) is really what matters. It doesn't to me.
It's mostly a female thing. Guys don't get the card thing at all. I suppose we're way more logical than emotional, often to our detriment.
I usually write a letter or a note, and that makes more sense to me. I also make my own cards. It's easy and fun, and takes way more time and imagination than picking something off the rack.
Clair
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Greeting cards are one of the biggest rip offs on the face of the Earth. If I get cards they are usually in the $1-2 range. Otherwise, I skip the card and go with a gift of some kind.
Most people don't remember the card anyway so a cheaper or absent card isn't too big of a loss.
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You made me think . . . Why not add the money saved on a lesser or no card to a gift?
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My sister-in-law sends elaborate cards with a music player that gets triggered when you open it. Probably expensive. Very tacky. I’m trying very hard to teach my kids that a homemade card or present is better, much better, than buying something sappy off the shelf. Fortunately both kids are a bit artistic, so they like making them; and fortunately the art teachers in school also have them making things. Recently one daughter made a Ukranian Easter egg as a birthday present. (This involves hand painting an evacuated eggshell.) This was probably the best present at the party.
No matter how many times we have responded with handmades to the sister-in-law she never seems to take the hint.
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Part of the problem here is that buying a card is easier for many people . . .
Hey, at least she is thoughtful enough to do something.
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There's another frugal alternative ...
Send a real, physical card from your computer, 13,000 choices, with a stamp, for 62 cents plus postage.
You can even send one for FREE!
Make someone feel special today ... Send them a card! http://cardsaremagic.com
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Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
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I make cards. I buy card stock, and as I watch tv at night add some stickers and stamps, so I have cards on hand when needed.
I get envelopes at garage sales and thrift shops. Or I make my own envelopes ( I have a template to do so.)
This is so easy and inexpensive, and when I do it when I am watching tv I can make about 10 cards in a 1/2 hour show.
People seem to enjoy them and the total cost is about $5 for about 50 cards ( I cut paper in half, and buy a pack or card stock when on sale.) Markers, stickers, and ribbons to decorate seem to be a staple in our house.
Want to give a nice gift? Make up about 10 cards, add a nice pen, 10 stamps, and envelopes and tie with a ribbon. Total cost about $7. These also are always well received (by woman of course.)
As oppossed to a card I would prefer a nice letter, even if it were short.
-Becky in NJ
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People respond well to well made personalized cards. My father-in-law makes very nice special birthday/occasion cards (He used to be in the ad business).
As for TV-- I very rarely "watch" TV. It is usually on in the background as I do something else.
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