The Etiquette of Cards?

Definitely sent more cards in the UK than I ever have here. But in the US I have a tendency to get someone a card or a little something randomly, like if they're having a rough week or if they did something nice for me. So, while there was a higher volume in the UK, the ones I give here have more meaning. I'll also send random postcards to friends if it's one that made me think of them.

Also, this year I sent Christmas cards to friends in the UK, but I didn't send anyone here a Christmas card because no one else I know sends them besides my mom and she doesn't send them to me! 

I'm not sure where to post this question, so I did so here, as it seemed the best sub-forum.

One thing I've wondered about British culture/etiquette is the sending of cards on certain occasions.  Of course Americans also send cards, but it *seems* much more prevalent (expected?) in the UK and for a more variety of occasions.  Is this right? 

Not sure I quite go along with this. Wedding anniversaries - we got some for our 1st anniversary, just from my sister and our friends who came over to Florida for the wedding, thought that was a nice touch. They haven't since and don't expect it either.
Get a card for leaving a job but that's usually signed by loads of people in teh office. Getting a new job etc? Never had one. One for a new baby - yes.

But then in the US they have things like Secretary's Day etc and DW said she's seen cards for these. Also, in the US people send Valentines Cards to people other than significant others or people attracted to. DW was saying she couldn't find a Valentines card to send to her daughter for example.

The last time I sent a nice card to the States (about 2 weeks ago), it cost me nearly £6 for the card and the postage.  That's about $9 to just send one card!    Needless to say, I can't do that very often. 

The last time I sent a nice card to the States (about 2 weeks ago), it cost me nearly £6 for the card and the postage.  That's about $9 to just send one card!    Needless to say, I can't do that very often.  

It's not quite the same, as you can't hand write it, but I used Moonpig a bit for cards when I was in the UK. You can design the card, create your own message/note which will be printed into it and then they send it. It's printed in the US so you only pay normal US postage. Works the other way as well, if you're in the US and want to get a card to the UK. My mom would send me cards in the UK that way. Definitely less expensive.

The last time I sent a nice card to the States (about 2 weeks ago), it cost me nearly £6 for the card and the postage.  That's about $9 to just send one card!    Needless to say, I can't do that very often.  

How did it cost £6 for a card?  Every time I send cards to the States, I just stick a £1.28 international rate stamp and they all seem to get there in a week or so.  I think the £1.28 stamp is for up to 20g which most cards are under......

On a slightly related topic, my SIL & BIL are celebrating their one year wedding anniversary in a few weeks and have planned a party...... in my experience in the US, spouses seem to celebrate their anniversary alone (romantic dinner, exchange gifts, whatever) and maybe family and close friends send cards..... but no party.

Are anniversary parties a UK thing, too?  Or could it just be because she wants to throw a party?  

Personally I hate sending cards. I used to make it a rule to send Christmas cards only to people I would not be seeing at holiday time. But now I really don't send any. Maybe a sympathy card if I can find one not too creepy.

DH has a weird thing about Christmas cards (he still sends them). He refuses to send out leftovers of a previous year's batch. I say who remembers the picture/verse on last year's card from anybody? Well, maybe photo cards 

DH has a weird thing about Christmas cards (he still sends them). He refuses to send out leftovers of a previous year's batch. I say who remembers the picture/verse on last year's card from anybody?

That's not weird at all! I'm the same way.

That's not weird at all! I'm the same way.

Maybe we should get together and have a card swap!  (I just hate wasting perfectly good cards.)

How did it cost £6 for a card? Every time I send cards to the States, I just stick a £1.28 international rate stamp and they all seem to get there in a week or so.  I think the £1.28 stamp is for up to 20g which most cards are under...

I have been charged anywhere from between £1.60 and £2.20 to send an ordinary card to the States and it has taken anywhere from between one week and one month to arrive.  Maybe the post office is charging me extra for the additional time that it takes.   The card itself cost me £3.50 at the department store.  I think I'll know where else to go next time. 

Maybe we should get together and have a card swap!  (I just hate wasting perfectly good cards.)

I'm far too anal organised to need a card swap. Each year, I buy about three different styles of cards and I keep a list of who gets which card. So if there are leftovers, they go to different people the next year. Yes, I know. I have a problem. 

I have been charged anywhere from between £1.60 and £2.20 to send an ordinary card to the States and it has taken anywhere from between one week and one month to arrive.  Maybe the post office is charging me extra for the additional time that it takes.   The card itself cost me £3.50 at the department store.  I think I'll know where else to go next time. 

The key to sending cards overseas is to stay away from the huge oversized ones or heavy ones with bulky beads and other crap glued to them. Keep it simple.

And you can buy cheaper cards than £3.50. Supermarkets generally have a good range of less expensive ones.

But, for me, a card is like a little present I send to someone so I don't mind spending money on something I think is extra nice.

I'm far too anal organised to need a card swap. Each year, I buy about three different styles of cards and I keep a list of who gets which card. So if there are leftovers, they go to different people the next year. Yes, I know. I have a problem. 

I do the same thing.     I kept a list of who got what card and when I had the leftover cards, I made a new list of people who did NOT get those cards.    I'm glad I'm not the only one. 

I do the same thing.     I kept a list of who got what card and when I had the leftover cards, I made a new list of people who did NOT get those cards.    I'm glad I'm not the only one.