Can someone please tell me why are greeting cards so expensive?
Seriously, a little ink on a piece of paper, {that’s been printed thousands of times over} maybe some glitter and an envelope? I don’t get it. Now a single handmade card, or a cool letterpress card that’s being made one at a time on an old machine, that’s a little different.
But a mass produced card? One that sells for $9.58 like the one above?
What am I missing?
Yes it’s cute, but $10, assuming there’s tax involved sure seems like a lot to pay for something that’s headed right for the trash {or recycle} bin.
But what do I know. Maybe I’m the weird one.
Which begs the question… What is the most you’re willing to pay for a greeting card? And where do you buy your cards {online, in the store, yard sales}? Curious minds want need to know.
~Mavis
Jennifer says
I don’t buy them for the most part. If I need one, I get it at Dollar Tree. No, they aren’t fancy like a Hallmark, but they are only $1. I quit buying Christmas cards years ago for what it’s worth.
A long-standing family tradition was to take a piece of printer paper, fold it in half and to make our own cards. Our kids always loved doing this and it’s cute to see their progression through the years.
Dawn says
I second Dollar Tree for inexpensive greeting cards!
Annette Horsley says
Me too
Deb says
Me too….and they ARE Hallmark cards.
Dawn says
1.00. I go to the dollar tree store and get my cards there. Most are 2/1.00. The fancier ones are 1.00 there.
J in OH-IO says
I buy boxed Fantus Paper Products brand (made in the USA) sympathy, birthday, and get well cards (4 designs, 12 cards per box for $1.88) at Walmart. The Walmart store I shop at doesn’t carry the boxed cards so when I am at another Walmart that has the boxed cards I stock up for the whole year or buy them online. I buy Christmas cards (20 per box) at the The Dollar Store and other types of cards (some cards are even 2 for $1) and I usually buy packets of thank you notes, etc… that are hanging on the end caps at The Dollar Store (packs of 6).
Alice says
Add to that the recipient just quickly reads the card, grabs the cash or gift card and the card ends up in the trash at some point. I think many stores have 99 cent cards among the expensive ones.
emma B says
If I buy cards I go to the Dollar store. My husband and I agreed to stop buying each other cards as they are just to $$$
J in OH-IO says
*When I mentioned The Dollar Store I meant The Dollar Tree Store where everything is $1. Opps!
Jennifer says
Well, it’s not anymore. I’ve read they were raising prices to $1.25. I haven’t been in since Christmas, but I think they’ve changed them already.
TT says
They have 🙁
Laura Z says
My Dollar Tree has American Greeting and Hallmark brand cards, and they are nice. I’ll pay $5 for a handmade letterpress sort of card that can be framed, but other than that, I try to keep it under a dollar. I buy really nice Christmas cards from museums online when they go on deep clearance (usually about $7 for a box of 20) and then save them for the next year. By the way, Mavis, I am excited about your goals this year!
Lynda says
Thrift stores and yard sales. $10 for a mass produced greeting card?? That’s just nuts.
Cindy says
I get my at the dollar store. The store that I go to sells Hallmark ones. I really don’t get why the cards are crazy expensive.
Carole says
I make my own. Better, cheaper and hopefully more meaningful
Lana says
Dollar Tree is my go to source. I go once a quarter and buy all the cards for 3-4 months of birthdays, etc. Amazon has some nice cards assortments that I have ordered for my elderly Mom and she was pleased with them. From any source I won’t go over $1.
Heidi P says
I either make my own or buy them at Dollar Tree. Stopped buying expensive cards several years ago. Crazy how expensive they’ve become.
A says
I make my own (various kinds– popup cards for extra fancy or a drawing/simple watercolor for thank yous) on cardstock and have occasionally scanned my favorite designs to print out and use again.
I also have relatives who make their own cards using photos– you can buy photo card blanks, or make your own with cardstock. Maybe this is how you want to use up your phone pics! 😀
A says
I forgot to mention in the comment I just posted– I also ordered some from Note Card Cafe once and liked them. They have premade designs you can choose from, or you can upload your own photos (no min quantity for how many of each to print) and choose an envelope color. I think they were about 30c each. (I am not affiliated with them in any way, just thought they were reasonable quality and price. Also they included some extra envelopes, which I thought was nice.)
Emily says
I buy a box of generic Birthday cards from target. They come out less then $1 per card. They are cute and store great.
Mel says
I haven’t bought a greeting card in ages, so I’m not sure what I’d pay, but both of those cards look like they’d be really easy to duplicate by hand (basically card stock, felt, foam, and paint or markers). I might try that instead, but I am often willing to spend on convenience so I don’t have to break out the tacky glue. I do buy packs of mini cards off Etsy pretty regularly because they’re just the right size to add to baked goods.
Aunt Diane from Streator says
I have kept all the cards I have ever received. Two years ago, I told everyone to save their money & not send any more. Now, I go to “the vault” & pick out vintage cards for each occasion & send digital photos of the “winners”. I didn’t write the year on the cards, but I can usually tell about when the cards were received. For some reason, it’s comforting to see the handwriting of deceased friends.
OregonGuest says
Aunt Diane from Streator, you are a treasure — this is very cool!
Ruth says
I keep all my cards, from my children, family and friends. I have a few handwritten letters from my grandmother. She grew up during the depression and some letters are written on articles she thought I’d like from newspapers. Yes, comforting to read ( and hear) her words again.
Vanessa C says
Trader Joe’s has awesome greeting cards for $.99 covering every sort of imaginable reason to send a card 🙂
Deborah says
Yes, I second Trader Joe’s cards. And they are always different. They don’t repeat a design.
Jeanie says
I also buy cards at Trader Joe’s. They are so cute and very nice cards.
Brianna says
When I go card shopping, I flip the card over to see the price before deciding to read it and maybe choose it. If it is more than $7 I will not even look at the card. I buy my greeting cards at grocery stores because I can usually find a decent deal where they do a buy 2 get 1 free, a money off my total order coupon, or a free item with card purchase (flowers or plant, chocolate, beverages, etc.).
My hubby use to deploy and be overseas a lot and I use to just buy cards regularly to send, but as the years have gone by, the cards have become less purchased and I just sent notes on paper or made my own. We no longer exchange cards in our house between us because it is not really meaningful to either of us thanks to the Five Love Languages. Instead we do an action based on our “love language” and it is more gratifying.
Tammy says
I rarely buy cards! But when I do, I buy them at the Dollar Tree.
Side note: I throw away all the Christmas cards I get, even the picture ones. I don’t have the rooms to store them…so I don’t.
Camille says
I do the same thing!
Terri says
I do the same. For Christmas, I’ll by them on clearance for the next year.
Patty says
Trader Joe’s and Home Goods are great for inexpensive cards,,,,and they have a great selection.
Jennifer G says
Seriously not good at mailing or giving cards, I think that trait is a gift. That said I usually get cards at Dollar Tree or Dollar General. Adult kiddos normally just get cash handed to them for birthdays, they never give it back;-) I do mail Easter & Halloween cards to grands with a little money. They get mail to open and I don’t have to buy candy.
Cynthia says
Target has a section of .99-1.99 cards that I get for office and kids. Otherwise I won’t go over $4 for my bffs and family.
Erin says
When it comes to greeting cards, I’m definitely a Dollar Tree fan! No way I’d spend more than $1 for a mass-produced card.
Kathy says
Dollar Tree. Hallmark cards 2/$1.
Suzanne says
When I’m near Trader Joes’s, I like stocking up there. Theirs are only $1 and they are really cute.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve never noticed cards at Trader Joe’s before. I’ll have to keep my eye out for them next time.
Mama Cook says
My dad buys “office content” boxes at estate sales. (Never spending more than $5.) These usually will include greeting cards. Every holiday he sends me a card from those sales, and they are the most fun to receive! I’ve received cards that were printed over 50 years ago!!! (He often sends them with stamps from those boxes too!)
On a fun sidenote, one time one of those boxes included a Montblanc pen that he resold on ebay for over $200!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Wahoooo! That was a nice find.
Margo says
My husband is talented and still makes me cards. I cherish them. I had a coworker years ago who made the most beautiful cards and we all looked forward to receiving one from her on our birthdays or holidays. She passed away a few years ago, but I still have several Christmas cards she made me and I display them every Christmas. Things like that are timeless. As far as store bought, we have used some for crafts, bookmarks, and even used parts for tree ornaments. $1 sounds about right for purchase to me.
Julie V says
Dollar Tree, thrift stores, and occasionally at Walmart, are where I purchase my greeting cards. Giving greeting and thank you cards is becoming a lost art I think as many people send electronic text or email now instead at holidays and other celebrations. And sometimes they now just send nothing at all.
Ashley Bananas says
Aldi has very cute ones for major holidays where they pop up and have glitter etc for just a few dollars. Maybe $3 at the most. I also have picked a lot up at work. We have a leave it take it table in the kitchen at work and someone keeps putting thank you and greeting cards there so I have taken some. Also when people move out in my neighborhood they leave tons of scorable things. This Summer someone moved out and dumped everything including wrapping paper, tissue paper, paper gift bags, and cards. I grabbed them all. I hate spending money on things that get thrown away. If it were something amazing for say my mother I would dole out the cash for something fancier. I also know at Publix (Southern grocery store) they have sales around mother’s day on greeting cards where you can get Hallmark brand bogo, and usually I will do that and stow one away for later use
Janie says
Dollar tree… .50. Or 1.00 the most.
Have a great day, Janie
Elle says
I rarely buy cards but last time I did I had a $2 off coupon for 2. I found 2 cards that would be needed this spring and each under $4. Yes, I picked up 6 and $7 cards and nearly fainted. I had no idea!
Hubster and I rarely give each other a card except when the mood strikes. Will I pay more for that sentiment? Yes.
I haven’t done Christmas cards in more than 20 years. I love receiving Shutterfly cards from family because of the photos. I save those and look at them every year. It’s fun to see the kids grow up although I have no idea how my oldest Grand-nephew got old enough to get married in 2020!
Christy says
Typical $1 or less. Hallmark 99 cent cards, dollar tree or current catalog when they have cheap shipping. Also check fb buy nothing groups. I’ve gotten free cards that people didn’t want any more. I send a lot of cards as a way to keep in touch, even though I don’t get many in return.
Susan says
At the beginning of COVID and lockdowns, I was sending lots of cards and decided to buy this box of 100 cards + envelopes for $25 on Amazon. The quality is excellent and the patterns are really fun and varied. They are all blank inside, but there are plenty of options for weddings, thinking of you, sympathy, birthday etc. I probably have 15 left and am sure I’ll use them all soon in the coming months. It’s been a good motivation to write and send cards, even though that’s not necessarily my jam usually. https://amzn.to/3JOGNwk
Jeanine says
I buy cards from the Dollar Store…..2/1.00 or Trader Joes…..1.00.
I do buy cards from artist’s at Open Studio weekend shows in my area….they usually run 3/ 10.00 or $5.00 each. If I can’t buy a painting for hundreds of dollars, at least I can buy one of the cards.
At Christmas, I send a picture of the family and a newsletter to my friends and distance family members.
Yesterday, I was at a Fabric store buying quilt batting and looked at some cards on a rack. Found a cute card for a friend and was going to buy it, until I saw the price…$3.49. I put that card back on the rack and just bought the quilt batting.
Diana says
Wow – I haven’t bought any cards in a long time. I wouldn’t pay that amount of money for something that simple. I tend to stick to the $1 selection. They used to have that at WM. Otherwise, I say make your own card.
Lori SA says
I get boxes of oddball picture cards from museum gift shops and variety/book stores (that usually come to $1 to 2 a card). They are always interesting and even though they may be tossed, they give out a good vibe/chuckle first. My daughter scouts out a new box for me for my birthday and it is a great present to get. I also pick up the odd old/different card at 2nd hand stores.
KC says
It depends: is it for someone to whom the price of the card will communicate that I care about them? Then the cutoff is different than for someone who doesn’t care beans about most cards! (like me) (and if it’s for someone who doesn’t care about the price but who does care a lot about getting a card, and the card’s gotta go out ASAP, then likewise, the price varies, although by now we have a stock of cards we can pull from so we haven’t had to do that for a decade or so.)
(I will admit that the dancing pickle birthday card got a straight-up laugh from me during a rough time – it was electronic and had a pickle inside that was literally moving back and forth to the [tinny, electronic greeting card] music – and a good laugh is worth some $ – but 95% of cards I receive, I want to know what the person wrote and do not especially care about the card itself.)
I guess: I’m frugal, and would rather not spend money for cards, *but* will spend money (that we have) to communicate I love someone, if that is what it takes (it usually isn’t).
Linda says
I make and sell cards at a farmers’ market. Price is $3.50 for a unique, one-of-a-kind card. All are blank in the inside for the sender’s own message. I haven’t bought a card in years and get many compliments on mine.
Rebecca in MD says
I receive free greeting cards from charitable organizations such as St. Jude and Habitat for Humanity. As a result, I always have some on hand.
Jen says
Some of these freebies are pretty, but does it send the message “you’re not worth going to a store and spending money on”?
JM says
I would be happy to receive any card. It reminds me that they were thinking of me.
Lindsey says
I have a friend who makes lovely cards. Every year for my birthday she gives me a box of cards she has made. I have not bought anything but Christmas cards in years, courtesy of her thoughtfulness.
Jennifer says
We make cards for each other so we don’t spend on cards. And honestly, we don’t do cards for aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, etc. Just a nice, long, happy text on their birthday. BUT once I bought my mom a Papyrus card for her birthday and she LOVED it! Pretty sure it was a big birthday and that’s why I did it. Now she gets 2 every year (birthday and Mother’s Day), and she seriously saves them year to year and displays them, so I figure it’s worth it! I noticed she had the Mother’s Day ones on her bookshelf in the office/guest room when we were there after Christmas. I thought it was so sweet!
andrea d says
I very rarely buy cards, prefer to make my own. As part of their writing practice for school I have my kids send letters/cards and while mostly they also make their own we have also found some at thrift stores, packaged a few for $1.00, or at our library used book sales that were free. In the rare instance where I’ve needed to buy them I always look for the 99cent section that most stores have in with their cards.
Gail C. says
In 2002, during a cross country train trip, we had a several hour layover in Kansas City, Missouri. We ate at Jack Stack BBQ (yum) and went to the Hallmark Visitor Center. We saw how cards are designed and manufactured. Lots of work goes into them. Having acknowledged that, the budget prefers Trader Joes ($1 for well designed on good cardstock) and homemade on blank cards bought at Michael’s.
Rhea Strauser says
As a side note – I was a computer programmer for over 40 years..
Any time you toss one of those musical cards, you’re tossing out more computer power than existed in the world in 1978.
Annette says
They should go into your electronics recycling, not the landfill.
Linda Sand says
I don’t send cards anymore but back when I did, I cut the fronts off of cards I received and tuned them into postcards to send out again.
LindaT says
I do something similar with the cards I receive. The precious ones I save.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Annette says
I will spend $8-9 for a beautiful Papyrus brand card, if it’s for a wedding or a very special birthday.
Marcia says
I rarely send greeting cards. Not really my thing. I tend to buy blank cards in bulk, and I like to support artists this way.
This is my current favorite for blank cards:
http://www.barkerquiltscapes.com/
Polli says
Trader Joe’s has great. Weds for 99 cents a piece. I also order a box from Amazon for all occasions. I HATE when I have to buy a retail card! Astronomical!
Lisa says
I only buy/send birthday cards for all of my adult children and their spouses and my siblings. I prefer to find hand made or locally made cards. This year I found the most beautiful quilled cards at a local shop that are made in my area. These are so gorgeous you would want to frame them! I purchased them to cover the whole year. Because these are for family I don’t mind paying more, these were $8.00 a piece and well worth it. We don’t do gifts so it seems like a small amount to spend on them with such a special card. You should check these cards out- http://www.iconicquilling.com if you get a chance.
Brandy says
I rarely buy cards, but if I do it’s at Dollar Tree. I think they are 2 for $1 there. That’s the most I’m willing to spend for something I know is headed directly to the trash.
Jeanine says
That’s what we do too.
Jannette says
I make my own greeting cards.
Donna Cook says
You can also get them at the Dollar store
Katherine says
I have blank note cards I’ve received from charities in the mail and all sorts of boxed cards I’ve bought at the Goodwill for a buck or two.
Cindy Miller says
$5 is my max on cards. Like many of those above, I go to Dollar Tree and stock up. If you want to see some insane prices keep your eyes peeled on Valentines Day and Mothers Day. I have actually seen cards for $12. I will not spend that kind of money on a card. Especially for kids. They read it and toss it. Nope. I work to hard to my money out. I have done like Linda Sand too and made the cards I receive into postcards. 🙂
Pam says
I quit buying cards a long time ago. I just can’t see spending $$ on them.
Andrea says
I LOVE sending and receiving greeting cards. $3.99 tops! Trader Joe’s is great for cards but beautiful ones 2 for $1 at Dollar Tree! Since they are so inexpensive, I will add some cash for my mother in law to buy a treat or get her hair done, a $20 gift card for sons and wives to coffee shop and sheets of stickers in grandchildren. I always decorate the envelopes with my adorable stamps and stamp pads or cute stickers and pretty return address labels. I ALWAYS send Valentines out, especially to any single or Widowed friends. My Aunt said it was the first time in so many years she had received a Valentine in the mail. ❤️ I just finished cutting my beautiful Christmas cards and punching hole in to use as Tags for next years gifts and handmade goodies.
Jane says
My daughter is into digital art so I always ask her to come up with a card for me. That said, I do this thing where I send my good friend seasonal cards the minute they come out to be a nerd (Xmas card in October, Valentines card last week..) and I go all in. Talking Buddy the Elf or whatever.
Barbara J Benware says
My sister who lives many hours away was just diagnosed with brain cancer. She enjoys getting cards and looks and rereads them. I send cards that I like and price is no object. Just paid 12.00 for one and would spend more if I thought SHE would like it.
Joanne s says
So sorry
Cindy says
Something extra for a caring person is what they need. It would cheer them up and put smiles on there face.
Mimi says
I either make my own, buy at Dollar Tree, or on our anniversary my husband and I will go to the store together, pick out fancy or hilarious cards for each other, read them and promptly return them to the display rack because we’d rather spend those dollars on something more rewarding. Cheap? Shamelessly so!
Ranee says
I rarely buy cards as I receive “free” ones from various places that we donate to. Sometimes they are birthday cards and sympathy cards or get well cards and sometimes they are blank. I will no longer contribute to the overly expensive cost for a “fancy” card that almost obligates the receiver to have to keep it because “it’s too nice to just throw away” – so, instead, lets save them, and store them, to never be seen again, and leave it for someone else to have to deal with someday. Even if it’s a special occasion, I will find a nice blank card with something lovely on the front, and enclose my “gift” and a little note.
Joanne says
I decided years ago if a card was just signed “love, so and so” it got recycled but if it was extra meaningful or had a special note, I put the date on the back and threw it in my memory box – I love vintage cards, and some day these will be too.
Recently paid what I thought was a lot (maybe $6 ea) for a couple of special sympathy cards but generally go to Dollar Tree or buy multi-packs.
Michèle says
I make my own with my own photos. Receivers seem to appreciate some personal like that!
Hawaii Planner says
I buy colored/plain cards. I usually get something like 100 for $8 or so. I use them for all occasions. As a general rule, we just are mailing birthday cards to/from family, and my kids typically write out funny (unintentionally) birthday wishes for my parents, sister, etc. I also have a large stash of generic thank you cards that I similarly use. I just mailed three yesterday (written by the kids, as thank yous for their Christmas gifts).
Wendy L says
I receive many cards from chatities that I have donated to and they are received warmly by relatives. Leftovercards are given to my buy nothing neighborhood group.
Sue says
I make my cards, junk mail is a really good source.
I keep a photo album of copies to remember who gets a special one.
I do need to plan my valentines soon.
I have a list that I send special cards to every year!
Child’s love them, something in the mail with their name on it.
Rosaleen says
I have saved just a few cards that had meaningful notes written on them, but am done with most cards. This year, I bought a subscription to Jacquie Lawson ecards. No waste, no pollution. Some people loved them, others refused them.
Debi says
My father told my sister and I not to waste money on cards. So the last year we bought a card, we put the year inside. The following year, took the card and added that year, we kept this up to his last year (he passed exactly 1 week after his 87th birthday). We had this card going for 25 years!
Donna Clark says
Like many of you I stock up at Dollar tree 2/$1 or the nicer ones are $1. I also always look at Cracker Barrel. Most of their cards are between $2 and $4 and they are very unique and good quality. It’s the best place I’ve found for humorous cards which are my favorite when appropriate.
Sandy Cirello says
2 For A Buck At Thhe Dollar Store or Get Crafts At The Dollar Store To Make Your Own. Easy Peasy…………
Sue D says
Rarely send a physical card. I prefer sending an e-card. If I do mail a card, it’s computer generated by me, or a Dollar Tree special. The only cards I pay $10 for are LovePop, which have a nicely crafted pop-up in the middle. Those get displayed, I know.
Karen S Picoult says
LovePop cards are beautiful! I received one this Christmas and still have it on display. Their website offers packages of them at a slightly lower price than singly. Our CVS also carries 3-dimensional cards. They can be a real treat for the recipient. If you get Extra Bucks discounts from CVS that is good way to get the cards at a very reasonable price.
Karen S Picoult says
I like getting e-cards. Jacquie Lawson has beautiful greetings. Her subscription price for a year is (I think) reasonable. You can open them over and over again and even send a reply! I know there are other e-card services; I just haven’t tried them.
Patrice B says
I only send cards to special people in my life and for special occasions. I am willing to pay a little more for a quality, handmade card from Etsy. I’ve discovered some fabulous artists this way, and I feel good about supporting their work.
Holly Sieger says
I’m so with you, Mavis! I don’t get why cards are so expensive! My husband buys the $8 cards from the grocery store for me for my birthday, Valentines, etc. and my stomach turns a little knowing how much he paid!! I buy cards at Dollar Tree – mine has Hallmark and American Greeting cards for .50 or $1. Costco sells a boxed set of various occasion cards that I like to get. They’re a little fancier and are still around $1. I just picked up some yesterday.
Kathy says
A friend turned me on to buying them from the Dollar Tree. Holy moly it’s a game changer! Name brand cards for a dollar. Can’t beat it!
Shirley E Funk says
I get most of my cards at the dollar tree and they are really nice cards. I do sometimes buy the cheaper ones at Walmart. No way would I pay $10 for a greeting card
Jenny Young says
I buy all of my greeting cards at the Dayspring Outlet store in my town. Cards are .50 to $2 each for single cards. $2 for boxed cards. The single cards sell for $6 to $12 retail.
I also buy a lot of cards at yard sales & thrift stores because I send a lot of cards.
Gwyn says
My little granddaughter and other little friends love getting mail so I shop at dollar tree each holiday and birthday for cards.
l bryant says
I frequent a number of the local thrift stores and when I am there I always check out the stationary section. Cards are usually 10 cents so I will stock up when I find any that I like. I have enough birthday, sympathy, get well, anniversary, assorted holiday cards to take me through the year ( I have a large family) and the entire collection has cost less than $10.
Margaret Hudgins says
Adding the cost of postage ,makes any card too expensive and a waste of precious $$ at the current rate of inflation at any price.
Chantal says
I buy mine at the dollar store if I really need one. Sometimes we make some. The most I paid for a card was 9.00 for a wedding.
Judith DeWitt says
I found a big Gallon size zip bag filled with cards at a thrift store for $1 in September. It had some note cards (blank inside) along with Christmas cards of all types! I had recently joined a small group in my town, so I sent everyone on the “member list” (about 40) a Christmas card from this cache. I was surprised at how many responded in kind!
I get boxed cards at Half Price Books when they are on sale. Usually, though, I get my cards at the 99Center store. They also have nice Hallmark 2nd tier cards two for $1. The children in the family get most of those cards for birthdays, holidays like Halloween and Christmas, as well as for graduations or other special accomplishments they celebrate. The adults get a card for big birthdays, retirement, etc. from there as well. I prefer to send Thanksgiving Cards to my family households (Nov. is a slow month for me) with a note of gratitude for some way they have blessed my life in the previous months, because December is always a whirlwind it seems.
Bottom line…for some very special occasion or accomplishment I will spend up to $5, but I may only do that once or twice a year.
Kate says
I found all of these comments very interesting. Like many of the commenters I make my own cards and friends and relatives tell me I should sell them. I joke that if I did I’d have to charge $15 at least.
Mary says
Buy one?! Not this Vermonter, I make my own. If that card is a Hallmark, I can see why it’s almost $10. Several times I took my students to the SkillsUsa Nationals in Kansas City, home of Hallmark. If you toured their elaborate complex, complete with glass skywalks over the interstate, you’d see why!
Katt says
I’m a card maker so, iI not only make them, I sell them as well.
Very simple ones are$2.00. Then they go up according to size and detail, stopping around $5.00.
An A5 quilled is $5.00. A 5×7 quilled can go up to $10.00, but those are usually custom orders for very special occassions, like wedding.
I make special ones that only kids can buy. They cost whatever thay have in their pocket up to 25 cents. A lot of parents are repeat customers because of those kid cards.
Zadu Zopracy says
I get my greeting cards at the dollar store unless it’s for my mother (who is 90+ years old and I know that she keeps them for a long time, so I’ll pay more to get a super nice/cool one for her).
Stacey says
It depends on the situation. If the card is just a vehicle for money or a gift card, a generic inexpensive card is fine. I get cute cards at Trader Joe’s for a dollar apiece. I check every time we go there and grab any I like, including some with nothing written inside. I can make those my own and personal with a handwritten poem or Bible verse. Occasionally I don’t have one in my cards box that fits, or the card is really important. It’s worth it to me to pay more for a card that is perfect.
JOAN RICHARD says
I started buying assorted cards in one box. They are reasonable and handy. I would also buy cards from Dollar store as well.
gina says
I remember when the fancy cards started out at 5 bucks and I thought that was crazy! Now they have those pop up cards that are super cool for 10-15 bucks, wow! They are really nice and sorta fun but wow………consumerism at its finest.
Cecile says
As a creative I’m surprised you would question why cards are so expensive. They have to hire a graphic designer, pay their salary, benefits etc. Then there is the cost of the ink, paper, envelopes, shipping in and out of materials and finished product, distribution cost etc etc etc. Some people recycle, some reuse and others hold on to cards until they die! My kids toss their cards almost as soon as they’re open so I either buy $1 cards or I paint them a water colour card. If they like it they can always pop it in a frame! My problem is knowing I can make something that someone is selling for … price, I won’t pay the price they ask if I know I can make it myself cheaper!
Emily says
I keep a stockpile of $1 cards from Trader Joe’s as well as some blank inside arty cards (my favorite for sympathy notes) for most occasions, but fancy cards mean a lot to my mom. For Mother’s Day or her birthday I will splurge on one of those pricey cards. It would have to really speak to me to pay $10 but $5 is not uncommon.
Carol B says
$1 is way too expensive for me. I bought several hundred quality envelopes at a wholesale leftover paper store for 5 cents each and make cards from cardstock from same store with a rubber stamp and some watercolor markers.
I don’t send Chistmas cards because I give home made gifts to everyone I love, but the cards I receive are saved and cut up for gift tags for the next year.
Donna says
I’m a Dollar Tree/Trader Joe’s girl myself. But I will say: my husband recently had a serious health crisis and out of all the cards he received, the one that touched him the most was painstakingly hand made by an elderly lady in our church. That one made him tear up 🙂
Ashleah says
I mostly just use Postable at this point.
DA says
I send a lot of notecards (and letters) whenever I can and spend a lot of time picking them out. I actually buy ones that are beautiful or remind me of a certain person when I see them so I always have just the right one. People appreciate it. I try to make cards or buy them at a local art gallery so I buying something unique and special. If you are not going to send a lot of cards what is the huge difference between $2 and $5 to send something special. I still send xmas cards and when I get them I notice if they are beautiful — or from a Dollar Store where they look cheesy and are sold by a comapny that does nothing to support their local community.