I have a friend who creates beautiful hand made cards for birthdays her designs are always thoughtful and lovingly made and I have always been in awe of her creative skills.

Another friend sends Christmas cards every year made by her children.

I am not in awe of their creative skills in fact their cards are pretty shit – last years was either a snowman or an egg with a hangover.

However now I have children of my own I still appreciate both cards and the thought behind them but I can’t help but think that my friend who makes cards with her children is a f*cking legend.

Anyone who has tried doing crafts with a two year old will know that the amount of energy and effort it takes to get a single scribble on paper is exhausting.

Amazing mum of 3 produces cards with cut out bits, glitter and pipe cleaners stuck on them. This means that each card has involved not only 3 x Children but 3 x Children x Scissors + Glue.

The amount of cleaning up required must be monumental – a friend of mine experimented with glitter and a toddler and only managed to produce a nappy full of sparkly poo (which she decided against posting to friends and family).

Pre children I naively imagined making cards for special occasions now I’m a mum I go to the pound shop like everyone else.