Do you buy cards anymore?

[mtgchic]

Ok, I'll admit that I love to spend a half-hour in a good Hallmark store, and used to rack up the Gold Crown points (especially the Saturdays line), but I feel bad buying a card now, even if it's hilarious. Your opinions?

[ckbythesea]

I still have a small stash of cards from when I used to buy them, but I haven't purchased any in ages!

[scrubbybubbles]

I won't pay Hallmark prices for cards. If I get into a jam, I'll purchase a card from the Dollar Tree where they are 2/$1.00 I think card prices have just gotten ridiculous! The only time I'll buy a Hallmark or related card is if they are $.99 I don't mean to be cheap but, hey, I'm already putting money out for a gift. I would rather make a card that makes a nice gift itself or buy an inexpensive one. Let's face it.....the recipient is more than likely wanting what's in the package more than what a card looks like or says...IMO....LOL

[ScrappinGalz]

I don't buy them anymore. I agree with previous posters that storebought cards are just getting out of control with their prices. Plus I have enough stamps now to cover just about any situation. If I don't have the appropriate sentiment, I just print something out on my computer and then die cut it.

[dzmindy]

I buy on occasion - usually for events that I don't have appropriate stamps for (I still don't have a good set for weddings/bridal showers or for anniversary type cards). But I do love to browse regardless. The thing that gets me is when I want one of their "specials" that you have to buy three cards to get the reduced price on.

[cjbapp]

I don't even go in Hallmark anymore...I used to love it! I think I transferred my browsing time to craft stores...where it only costs about 40 times as much per card when you average it all out...LOL

[Chipper]

No way would I buy a store bought card. To me it kind've like owning Ben & Jerry's but buying Mayfield's (my favorite) ice cream. So I voted for No, but really, really don't think I'm saving money

[pjw2855]

I haven't purchased a store card in many years. The point in making cards is not to save money. There is no way to put a monetary value on a hand-made card.

Patti

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtgchic

Ok, I'll admit that I love to spend a half-hour in a good Hallmark store, and used to rack up the Gold Crown points (especially the Saturdays line), but I feel bad buying a card now, even if it's hilarious. Your opinions?

I *LOVE* to spend a half-hour in the card section--it inspires me!

I do occasionally buy a card, if it's something I find hilarious, or so perfect for the individual/occasion, but, I couldn't make something similar with what I have at home. And, I don't feel guilty about it!

[CAmomof2]

I have rarely bought a card since I started stamping in February. The only times that I have is when there is a card at the store that is perfect for the other person. This mostly happens when buying birthday cards for kids. For example, my son's 4 year old friend is obsessed with Spiderman and my neice loves the cards that sing songs. Other than that it's been all homemade. I agree that I'm not sure that I'm "saving" money at this point but I mailed out 8 cards in the last week and all but one (Spiderman) was homemade. That's gotta count for some part of all of the money I've spent

Also, my husband pulled out my stuff and made my birthday card this year, so that was neat.

[peeps321]

Everybody I send a card to EXPECTS to get a handmade original so how could I send some store bought thing...HA! I haven't bought a card in years and I seldom look at the ones in the stores. I get ideas and inspiration off blogs and SCS of course!

[cardsbynikki]

I'll browse the "hand-made" ones in the store to see if there is anything I like and can copy, but only rarely find one I do want to copy. I haven't bought a card in about 4 years or so, and like others, everyone expects a hand-made card from me. One time I did send out a thank-you card from an old stash that was store-bought and felt guilty doing that, LOL. I'm the card person in the family, anybody needs a card, I usually end up making it. My father's co-workers now just expect one of my hand-made cards for their birthdays, which I find amusing.

I'm not sure I actually save money, however!

[Cook22]

I voted yes if it's awesome. I have always collected cards .
Glad to see that the "save money" by stamping your own was in inverted commas, LOL.

[Stampin' Adventurer]

The only cards I buy are photo cards sometimes for Christmas.

[SCEmily]

Heck no! If someone got a store bought card from me, they'd think I didn't care .

[jkstieber]

Since I started stamping, I've only bought cards for weddings, because I don't have a wedding set and I know I could probably just make one with a floral stamp, but I think I was probably short on time or something. Otherwise no, I enjoy making cards for people and just wouldn't get pleasure giving a store bought card.

[speanburg4]

I voted no, since I haven't bought a card in a store in forever! But, I did have a lot going on with our cross-country move, so I had photo cards made with a picture of our new house for our change of address cards. I felt totally guilty ordering them. Especially since I bought the PTI Boards and Beams set just for these cards. But I wanted to get them out before I started my Christmas cards, since we moved in August!

[missiowa81]

I have not bought a store-bought card in about 3 years. I still have a few in my stash that I've tried to use up.

There were a couple of times when I should have just gone and bought a card to send, because I didn't have time to make a card and ended up sending nothing at all. I need to get better at making simpler cards, and having a few extras on hand like when I used to have extra store-bought cards on hand.

P.S. Love your corgi avatar!

[ddietsch]

I hadn't bought a card in over 15 years until the other week. My oldest DD turned 18 and I wanted a remembrance card from her mom and dad and her sister wanted to give her a card with sound (I haven't figured out how to put "sound" in my cards. LOL!). Still, I felt, not guilty, but bad about "buying" them. I shouldn't, though.

[jennik]

I still look at Hallmark cards. And I don't feel tooo bad if I were actually purchase one. I have a hard time with sympathy sentiments, so sometimes I let Hallmark say for me.
JMHO
Jennik

[isewquilts2]

The only cards I buy are the ones with music. Sometimes they have just the perfect one....

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by isewquilts2

The only cards I buy are the ones with music. Sometimes they have just the perfect one....

I love those, too! I told my family they have to give 'em to me, if they're considering throwing them away--I might be able to recycle the music module into another card . . .

[MaryAnnK]

The last time I was in the Hallmark store was in July. We needed an anniversary card for my stepson and his wife. DH wanted a funny one and I didn't have any appropriate stamps, so we bought one. But I hated doing it!

[angelinoregon]

i only buy boxed cards at christmas for those people i know who don't really care if their christmas card is handmade. the rest, all made my little old me.

[javagirl984]

A few years ago I bought a card for my mom's husband for his birthday. I bought it because it seemed to fit him (a humorous card). Although he got a laugh out of the card, he was dissapointed that I did not make a card for him. And he is not a very sentimental person. So, I guess now everyone expects me to make a card and enjoys them. I definately don't buy them for my family and close friends. I do look at the cards at Target for inspiration when I have time to browse.

[sammsmom1]

Only if I am in a jam or really don't care if the person likes the card or not (hint, someone i don't particularly care for) will i buy a card. I like to take time out of my day to do something I want to do and making cards/scrapping is what I like to do.

[MWDStamp]

I buy them on 2 occasions. One is Father's Day, I hate trying to come up with Father's Day cards. I have yet to find a stamp set that is right for the kind of dad's I deal with. Besides my kids and I had a blast reading the cards at the Hallmark store this last year - we were laughing so hard the clerks were looking at us weird.
The other occasion I buy cards is for DH's co-workers. He sends out 30 or 40 of them to people I have never met and figure I have more than enough stuff to do around the holiday time, cards bought on clearance at Target last year is what they get.

[StampinAK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I love those, too! I told my family they have to give 'em to me, if they're considering throwing them away--I might be able to recycle the music module into another card . . .

Hmmm. Thanks for the recycle tip Julie! I have a couple that I might try to put into another card.

I voted "never buy". I don't have time to go to a Hallmark store (or browse) and I would rather make something personal for family and friends.

[Disneywed]

I answered "no" but for anything like a confirmation/communion, I will....I cannot do religious cards for beans

[Disneywed]

I answered "no" but for anything like a confirmation/communion, I will....I cannot do religious cards for beans

[mrsjllove]

I still buy cards...but mostly when I need a sympathy card. I just can't bring myself to make them to have "on hand" because for me...it is like inviting the need for one.

[sweetideas]

I voted yes. You have to buy 3 cards to get the good price on those singing snowmen and my DGS loves them. So I go and buy 3- 99 cent cards or blank ones on the inside which I use to write quick letters in.

[Julie in Indy]

My kids were browsing cards in the grocery store this past Saturday and when I saw the prices, I was so thankful to have a "stash" of handmade cards. I couldn't help but point out to them how much we saved by using my cards.

[mtgchic]

[QUOTE=MWDStamp;12301010] Besides my kids and I had a blast reading the cards at the Hallmark store this last year - we were laughing so hard the clerks were looking at us weird.
QUOTE]


That is so me! But usually I'm by myself, so I get realllly weird looks!

[mtgchic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missiowa81

P.S. Love your corgi avatar!

Thanks!

[GWTW Junkie]

I voted yes, if it's awesome, but honestly I can't remember the last time I bought one. Maybe a Grinch card for my husband. I never go into card stores, so the chances of me finding an awesome card I just have to get are pretty slim.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjw2855

I haven't purchased a store card in many years. The point in making cards is not to save money. There is no way to put a monetary value on a hand-made card.

Patti

My sentiments exactly.

[stampintoo]

I usually still buy sympathy cards because although those closest to me appreciate my handmade cards, not everyone realizes that my handmade cards are treasures, lol! So a death of a loved one is not an event where I'd want someone who doesn't 'get' making cards to think I cheaped out. I know, I know...these handmade cards end up costing a lot more than the store bought ones but usually they don't know that, kwim?

[MariLynn]

I answered yes when in a jam. My jam is that our church does a secret sister swap. Everyone knows I make cards, so if I gave a card to my secret sister, it would give it away. I hate buying cards, because after looking in the gallery all day, nothing in the stores compares to what SCSers can create.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampintoo

I usually still buy sympathy cards because although those closest to me appreciate my handmade cards, not everyone realizes that my handmade cards are treasures, lol! So a death of a loved one is not an event where I'd want someone who doesn't 'get' making cards to think I cheaped out. I know, I know...these handmade cards end up costing a lot more than the store bought ones but usually they don't know that, kwim?

April, I understand and respect what you are saying....but I just went to your gallery, and you are selling yourself way short! Your cards are works of art, and I don't think anyone would think you are "cheaping out" to send cards as lovely as yours are.

I really think the majority of people these days understand that anything handmade takes time and thought, and that message comes through loud and clear in your cards.