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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 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! :rolleyes: 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
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.
__________________ Tina aka Scrappingalz Come have coffee with me at Scrappingalz Cafe
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.
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
__________________ Cher No longer stamping...on to bigger things.
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 :rolleyes:
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.
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!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
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.
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!
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.
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.
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
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!
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.
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.
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
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 . . . ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
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!
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
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.
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.
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.
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.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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!
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.
__________________ Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek, Gold EliteSong of My Heart Stampers14-time incentive trip earner
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.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
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?
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.
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.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Do you buy cards anymore?
