Ryan's birthday is tomorrow and my father's is October 19th. My father won't be dancing at a party, but seeing cards placed around his room seems to make him happy, and another year is certainly worth marking. I looked at and read all manner of cards for almost 45 minutes, but had trouble finding anything appropriate for a 27-year-old math grad. student and an 86-year-old man in poor and failing health.
Vehicles adorn lots of the "His Birthday" cards, but these don't really fit Ryan or my father.
And then there are the sports-related cards. No again. Ryan has admitted that the last time he paid attention to any sporting event was when he attended a mandatory departmental Super Bowl party two years ago when the Denver Broncos were playing.
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| Golf, Mickey Mouse, and argyle seemed like an odd combination to me. |
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| I would have considered one with realistic fish, but these did not appeal. |
Then there were the really stereotypical cards. We all know that men use tools, go to work in a tie, grill, and drink beer.
Poor Hallmark really seemed to struggle with birthday cards for males. They all looked like they had to meet some sort of manliness quotient, but I was looking more for a nice, simple yet beautiful nature scene (that didn't also celebrate hunting and four-wheeling) and a well-worded sentiment inside. I couldn't find any of those, so I've resorted once again to my own cards.
I wonder if all the good cards had been removed (during the last week of September) to make way for Christmas? If you're shopping for ornaments, Hallmark is ready for you!
Don't look for "male" cards. Look in the "funny birthday" section of the not-hallmark section of Walgreens or someplace. I buy only cards with cats on them and funny ones at that. (Example, photo of big fat black cat on front, saying "A little bird told me it was your birthday." Inside card "so I ate him.")
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to branch out and look some place besides Hallmark, but they certainly were well-stocked for Christmas! I didn't even think about Walgreens, but will next time.
DeleteI did find a very cool card with 3-D trucks (similar to the motorcycle one above, I think) for Charlie. and I usually can find something nice and/or funny at Target, but overall - I agree - pre-made cards are tough!
ReplyDeleteI usually look at Shoe Box cards for birthdays for men - they are funny, often irreverent, and usually fit the bill for the men in my life.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I look at the Shoe Box cards, or go to one of the indie card stores. I must admit to being a greeting card whore ...
ReplyDeleteOur local health food store carries a great line of cards by Avanti Press with animal themes, I just picked up a funny one (not vulgar) for my brother in law. My sister is the card maker of our family...we all love her cards.
ReplyDeleteHome Depot is decked out, too. And Hobby Lobby has been for weeks (I don't frequent that store but went, under protest, as a huge favor to someone).
ReplyDeleteBuying cards is hit or miss. I have a hard time buying for my sisters... usually so flowery & syrupy. Yuck.
I was so enjoying this post until the shock factor at the end! :-) Say it ain't so!!! And cards can be tricky - I struggle with the ones for Doug...just too mushy!
ReplyDeleteI have just about quit buying greeting cards. They are so expensive, and in our family, they are throw away items. I send a few, but only if I can't see them in person. I card is nice, but a hug is better, IMHO. Oh, and Christmas? KRIKEY!
ReplyDeleteThat may be my new motto: a hug is better! I was also surprised when I went into Costco yesterday and saw two whole Christmas aisles - full of decorated trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, etc. I know all this stuff takes a while to set up, and I know I sound like an old curmudgeon, but I think they could at least wait until after Halloween!
DeleteI've been saying the same thing for some time now. Trying to find a card that is appropriate and funny is near impossible these days. Where did all the creative people go?
ReplyDeleteWay too early for Christmas stuff...even too early for Turkey Day things in my opinion.
I keep a box of plain cream colored cards with envelopes as well as a box of notecards on hand. Then I write a note in them. Greeting cards are so expensive and often it is hard to find just the right sentiment.
ReplyDeleteI've made this card a few times for special occasions - sharing in case it appeals:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/valentine-hearts-5
I go for general cards and then I can find something, if it's specific like 'son' or 'dad' it gets too weird and hobby themed. I guess I should make my own cards...
ReplyDeleteThose cards!!! I actually stopped sending cards for men's birthdays altogether because (a) the cards are just stupid; and (b) the men in my life could care less about cards. That said, sometimes you just want to send a special sentiment! Last year, as I was going through all of my mom's things, I came across boxes and boxes of cards she'd received over the years. BOXES. I put them all in the recycling without ever looking at them. (And I'm pretty sure she never looked at them again, either; just saved them.) I have Strong Feelings about the waste of cards . . .
ReplyDeleteIt is sad and crazy that Hallmark (or any other company ) can't get the mens cards "right". Only once in all the years I sent cards to my dad did I find something appropriate. It was a violin with a musical sentiment and I hung onto it for months until his birthday came around. Usually I usually send a blank card with my own words inside or just draw something silly and simple on the front of a blank card. Christmas has been in the stores around here for over a month. We are comsumernation.
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