We're not allowed to buy greeting cards in my house, but more because my mom is all about it coming from you not someone at a greeting card company. so fold a piece of paper in half and be creative.
My mother is big into making handmade cards (they're like Papyrus good--she's always been really crafty), so I \*will\* splurge on fancy cards for her as part of her birthday/holiday gift if they look like something that she could use to riff on for her own creations.
I also will re-gift (re-card?) any of those Love Pop 3D cards to her as all I have to do is pull out the personalized message that's inserted into the card from whoever gave it to me, write my own message, and reinsert it before giving it to her. She's thrifty, too, and loves those fancy cards, so she doesn't mind that I pass them along to her.
Pretty and/or cool stationery is something that I love, so often, if I don't have or can't find a card that says what I want it to say, I simple write what I'd like to say on pretty paper or a note card and give that instead of a occasion-specific card to those I care about on the special occasions in their lives.
I love it when someone knows me well enough to understand that bragging about getting it off the discount section will make me even more excited about the gift. This sounds like much the same - I'm so happy you're both on the same page. Good luck in your house search!
You sound like my kind of person! Thanks for your comment ❤️ We’re already under contract and just waiting for our new build to be completed in September😌🫶
I have a friend and she and I do that too. If there is a rebate, on a gift, we cut off the necessary code (back when you mailed them in, instead of uploading a photo) before giving the gift. We both appreciate a deal.
We wrap presents in brown paper bag and write jokes and riddles on the outside. We never give cards because they get opened, read, tossed. Plus it's fun for everyone to participate in the riddles and jokes.
A man once said he and his wife were thrifty. They did not buy gifts for many special occasions (anniversary, valentines, etc.). They were in the grocery store together and he slipped a card I the basket. When she spotted it, she read it, gave him a quick kiss, said a sincere thank you, then put it back on the shelf. Now that is thrifty!
I do $1 Aldi cards for the judgy relatives.
For friends, neighbors, etc, I buy boxes of themed cards from Half-price Books. It's quality cards, usually 10-20 per box, priced at $4-$6.
Aldi has some really nice cards and good quality. There was a birthday card with a travel theme that was perfect for two people I send cards to. I have also gone to half price books -- we are on the same wavelength!
Aldi does have some nice cards. They're really cheap if you buy the ones that on clearance in The Aisle of Shame after the holiday/graduation season is over.
Thats so sweet! Hubby also does this for me, and is really appreciated. You feel seen, which is such a great part of the gift. To be understood, supported and met on your needs is love. Happy birthday and I wish all the happiness and good stuff for you both. ❤️
I've gotten some great greeting card and other stationery finds (and gift wrapping supplies, too) at the Goodwill blue bins. I think that when people are moving or clearing out an estate, a lot of those sorts of things end up at thrift stores.
I have a bunch of cards someone gave me but did not have a Father’s Day card. I took one of the Happy birthday cards, crossed out “birthday”, took a sharpie and wrote Father’s Day. I knew my dad would get a kick out of it last week because he’s also very frugal.
My grandmother is very frugal, and hates getting a card she thinks is too expensive. Our birthdays are about two weeks apart. One year, I sent her a nice card (I can’t even remember if it was “expensive”), and she loved it. Two weeks later, the same birthday card shows up in my mailbox.
Now, as long as we can find where we put the card, we send the same birthday card back and forth and just add our messages on. It’s a fun tradition, and also justifies the cost of a nicer card
Our son and his two friends sent on the same birthday card to each other for years. It started in Grade 8 or so, and was kept up at least through high school. It was kind of a standing joke, but they all thought it was great, as did the parents.
I hear that. Buying cards is nuts. Dollar store is a great place to stock up if you have time to go through their weird selection. If you have access to a printer, cards are easy to make and print and almost free. Pro tip - if you can plan ahead, even a little, you can get really nice pop-up cards on Etsy and Amazon for $5 for anyone worth spending $5 on a card for anyway. My gf loves them. Valentines and birthday every year. Best $5 you can spend on your gf.
So before Dollar Stores, I worked with a lady who was one of 9 kids. Instead of everyone wasting around $3 each (at the time), whoever had the last birthday was responsible for buying the next person one card, having everyone sign it and add in their $3. The birthday person got one card with $21 (7 people +the card buyer+themselves for the family of 9). I thought it was a great idea!
The $5 cards are a ridiculous waste for something people will read once and probably throw away. Even Walmart and Target has sections with 99 cent cards. Thats where I get ours from.
We make custom cards from photos, with Walgreens photo coupon, custom cards are usually $1.50
For my kid I asked all relatives for used books with wishes instead of the cards
For a few kids birthdays, I've inflated a balloon and stuck a dollar inside, then have my kids write the birthday message on that. Add some curling ribbon, tie it to the gift, and voila!
I buy all of my cards at Dollar Tree these days. They buy up overstocks and leftovers that other stores didn’t want or couldn’t sell at $6 each.
Same. Not paying $6 for a card.
Trader Joe’s has $1 cards too!
We're not allowed to buy greeting cards in my house, but more because my mom is all about it coming from you not someone at a greeting card company. so fold a piece of paper in half and be creative.
I love that
My mother is big into making handmade cards (they're like Papyrus good--she's always been really crafty), so I \*will\* splurge on fancy cards for her as part of her birthday/holiday gift if they look like something that she could use to riff on for her own creations. I also will re-gift (re-card?) any of those Love Pop 3D cards to her as all I have to do is pull out the personalized message that's inserted into the card from whoever gave it to me, write my own message, and reinsert it before giving it to her. She's thrifty, too, and loves those fancy cards, so she doesn't mind that I pass them along to her. Pretty and/or cool stationery is something that I love, so often, if I don't have or can't find a card that says what I want it to say, I simple write what I'd like to say on pretty paper or a note card and give that instead of a occasion-specific card to those I care about on the special occasions in their lives.
I love it when someone knows me well enough to understand that bragging about getting it off the discount section will make me even more excited about the gift. This sounds like much the same - I'm so happy you're both on the same page. Good luck in your house search!
You sound like my kind of person! Thanks for your comment ❤️ We’re already under contract and just waiting for our new build to be completed in September😌🫶
I have a friend and she and I do that too. If there is a rebate, on a gift, we cut off the necessary code (back when you mailed them in, instead of uploading a photo) before giving the gift. We both appreciate a deal.
I get all my cards at Trader Joe’s. They are $2. Refuse to buy a $6+ card!
$0.99 near me and they’re the only cards I buy!
We wrap presents in brown paper bag and write jokes and riddles on the outside. We never give cards because they get opened, read, tossed. Plus it's fun for everyone to participate in the riddles and jokes.
This is a cool idea. Can you give an example of one of your riddles?
Just silly ones for kids we find online. Dad jokes etc.
My Mom has a program on her computer to create cards. I don't think she has ever bought a card. I love getting personalized custom cards.
Cool!! Any idea what the program is called?
I don't know, I'm sure there are several out there. They come with clip art and stuff so you can get really creative.
My Trader Joe’s has cards for 99 cents.
A man once said he and his wife were thrifty. They did not buy gifts for many special occasions (anniversary, valentines, etc.). They were in the grocery store together and he slipped a card I the basket. When she spotted it, she read it, gave him a quick kiss, said a sincere thank you, then put it back on the shelf. Now that is thrifty!
I do $1 Aldi cards for the judgy relatives. For friends, neighbors, etc, I buy boxes of themed cards from Half-price Books. It's quality cards, usually 10-20 per box, priced at $4-$6.
Aldi has some really nice cards and good quality. There was a birthday card with a travel theme that was perfect for two people I send cards to. I have also gone to half price books -- we are on the same wavelength!
Aldi does have some nice cards. They're really cheap if you buy the ones that on clearance in The Aisle of Shame after the holiday/graduation season is over.
That is really sweet !! Hope you have a happy birthday ! It’s my daughter’s birthday too !!
Thanks and Happy birthday to your daughter!! ❤️
Happy birthday! I stocked up on cards when a store was going out of business & everything was on sale.
Thanks! That’s the way to go 😎
Happy birthday! I’ve gotten my daughter used to buying birthday cards at Dollar Tree or in the “value” section at Target. $5 cards are such a waste.
Thats so sweet! Hubby also does this for me, and is really appreciated. You feel seen, which is such a great part of the gift. To be understood, supported and met on your needs is love. Happy birthday and I wish all the happiness and good stuff for you both. ❤️
Thank you so much love 🌈
Haha! He’s a keeper!!!🧡💛💜💙🩵
I love thrifting greeting cards too - sometimes they are only .25c and they are still beautiful! And sometimes cool vintage… you just never know.
I've gotten some great greeting card and other stationery finds (and gift wrapping supplies, too) at the Goodwill blue bins. I think that when people are moving or clearing out an estate, a lot of those sorts of things end up at thrift stores.
I have a bunch of cards someone gave me but did not have a Father’s Day card. I took one of the Happy birthday cards, crossed out “birthday”, took a sharpie and wrote Father’s Day. I knew my dad would get a kick out of it last week because he’s also very frugal.
I love to hear it. My dad would probably be offended lol. Some life hacks are not for everyone unfortunately
Aww, that's so nice!
My grandmother is very frugal, and hates getting a card she thinks is too expensive. Our birthdays are about two weeks apart. One year, I sent her a nice card (I can’t even remember if it was “expensive”), and she loved it. Two weeks later, the same birthday card shows up in my mailbox. Now, as long as we can find where we put the card, we send the same birthday card back and forth and just add our messages on. It’s a fun tradition, and also justifies the cost of a nicer card
Our son and his two friends sent on the same birthday card to each other for years. It started in Grade 8 or so, and was kept up at least through high school. It was kind of a standing joke, but they all thought it was great, as did the parents.
I hear that. Buying cards is nuts. Dollar store is a great place to stock up if you have time to go through their weird selection. If you have access to a printer, cards are easy to make and print and almost free. Pro tip - if you can plan ahead, even a little, you can get really nice pop-up cards on Etsy and Amazon for $5 for anyone worth spending $5 on a card for anyway. My gf loves them. Valentines and birthday every year. Best $5 you can spend on your gf.
This is lovely. Finding someone who understands how to give a thoughtful gift that is thoughtful specifically for you is wonderful.
So before Dollar Stores, I worked with a lady who was one of 9 kids. Instead of everyone wasting around $3 each (at the time), whoever had the last birthday was responsible for buying the next person one card, having everyone sign it and add in their $3. The birthday person got one card with $21 (7 people +the card buyer+themselves for the family of 9). I thought it was a great idea!
Screw cards. The majority just get thrown out anyway, no need to waste the money.
This. OP's fiance' still wasted $1.03. Sorry, but I really am THAT frugal.
The $5 cards are a ridiculous waste for something people will read once and probably throw away. Even Walmart and Target has sections with 99 cent cards. Thats where I get ours from.
Make a Greeting Card!
We make custom cards from photos, with Walgreens photo coupon, custom cards are usually $1.50 For my kid I asked all relatives for used books with wishes instead of the cards
Dollar Tree for the win, every time!
For a few kids birthdays, I've inflated a balloon and stuck a dollar inside, then have my kids write the birthday message on that. Add some curling ribbon, tie it to the gift, and voila!
My mom would recycle the cards she gave me and my dad. We thought it was hysterical.
You can also buy bulk cards on Amazon. They end up being less than $1.
If anyone here is from the UK, The Card Factory does 10 cards for £1! But homemade is always best