"Special" christmas cards

[MrsO]

OK, so every year I buy big packs of christmas cards. I always write a personal message in them. But EVERY YEAR, my grandmother makes it clear that she wants a "special" card (e.g- one with grandmother on it, from me and DH AND one from our kids). If I do this for her, I have to do it for my parents, my ILs, my other grandparents, my DHs grandparents, then from the kids...see how it escalates? I don't like leaving anyone out. The it ends up costing me a fortune, which i really don't have. Is she rude? Should I get her a special one anyway to keep the peace? What to do, Ehellions?

[guihong]

Personally, I think getting any card is "special", but that's preaching to the choir.

Why does everyone else merit a "special" card if you send one to GM, or is it that you would feel obligated?  I would go ahead and  send GM the card she wants, and toss the feeling that you are "leaving people out".  As for cost, have the kids make GM a homemade card?

gui

[MrsO]

It's not that other people merit it, I'd just not like to buy this grandmother a special one, and give the others one from a pack (theres 3 other grandmothers, then 2 sets of parents). I guess i'm wondering whether it's worth pandering to her request just to keep the peace. It just bothers me a little as nobody else cares what card they get, the fact we've put thought into writing a message to them in ANY card is enough.

[Harriet Jones]

I'd consider the personal message in the card special. 

[MrsO]

That's my point, it shouldn't matter what its written on, just what's written, Plus DDs do make cards aswell.

[lady_disdain]

OK, so every year I buy big packs of christmas cards. I always write a personal message in them. But EVERY YEAR, my grandmother makes it clear that she wants a "special" card (e.g- one with grandmother on it, from me and DH AND one from our kids). If I do this for her, I have to do it for my parents, my ILs, my other grandparents, my DHs grandparents, then from the kids...see how it escalates? I don't like leaving anyone out. The it ends up costing me a fortune, which i really don't have. Is she rude? Should I get her a special one anyway to keep the peace? What to do, Ehellions?

My evil side speaking up - you have been warned!

1 - I doubt both sides of the family compares Christmas cards, so sending her a "special" one doesn't exactly oblige yo to send "special" ones to everybody else.

2 - But, you can always send her the "special" card and drop a "little comment" to other people about how you had to go out to get her the card, because of "ideas" ("people do get these ideas when they get older, don't they?" )

[MrsO]

LOL, well, evil ladydisdain, you have a point. They wouldn't compare cards, even if they did, nobody else would care what card they got, they would be pleased we had thought of them to give them any card. I suppose it's just my stubborn side thinking 'why should i? especially since you asked for it' 

[Bijou]

Get some photo frame cards and insert a photo of your family in it and send them to family members.  That way she can't complain that her card isn't special enough.  Something like they have at this link  http://www.dickblick.com/zz129/40a/   

My daughter does fairs and she made some cards from her photographs using cards similar to these.  I bet you can get them with holiday designs around the frame edge, too.

[Cupcake Fiend]

Evil CrowGirl would just stop sending her ANY cards.  Since they just aren't "good enough"

[waterwren]

hmmm, I hand make cards ( cross stitched angels, every year) for some folks and not for others. I *really* hope that folks don't get jealous or ticked. If they do in my family, too bad, so sad - I have over 200 relatives on my list there is not enough time from Holiday Season to Holiday Season to do that many cards.
 I don't understand the thinking of "I wnat this so you must kowotow of fear my wrath."   ( "do I do it just to keep the peace.") Grandma needs to grow up.
 Unless of course you're starting her note with "hey June" rather than addressing her as Grandmother or some such.

[Bibliophile]

I agree with some of the other - getting any card is special.  I am using the same Christmas cards for everyone except for my one friend who just got engaged to a Jewish man - they'll get a "happy holidays" card.  Just have the kids make her a card...  Another option is to buy those card making kits in the printer paper section of an office store, design one with a family pic on the front that says "Merry Christmas, Grandma" - you can change the "Grandma" to fit each family member/friend you're sending them to...

[majorboredom]

I would continue to send the same card you send everyone else, with a personal message to her inside.  If she presses the issue further, tell GM it's the words inside that make it count.  If she fails to see that, I think a Christmas phone call will suffice from then on.

[rashea]

This is like being told that a gift isn't good enough. That would cause me to decide not to get them anything. I think you should skip the card this year and tell her that you don't have the money to get everyone "special" cards and that she has indicated that she didn't want a regular card.

You could just write "Special" across the top of the card. 

[CynthiaBelle]

I'd just send the cards you have been, you could always tell her her's is different, or have the kids draw a picture on the inside, or address it to grandma with pretty colors and big letters.

[ZipTheWonder]

1.  Open Microsoft Word
2. Type "For My Grandmother" in Bookman Old Style 16 point font
3. Fold greeting card flat.  Insert decorated side face down into printer tray.
4. Send document to printer.