Card smarts for the '90s
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from December 1992.
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When it comes to sending Christmas greetings, the thought counts, but so does your style.
Even your warmest message can meet with a cool response if you've erred in choosing, signing or addressing a card. Making a mistake might be easier than you think.
During the Sixties and Seventies, some manners went by the wayside, and those who came of age during this time often never learned (or choose to ignore) the basics of polite. correspondence. Shifts in society - increasing divorces, women with careers, blended families - have also changed the old rules and added new ones. So this year, brush up on your correspondence protocol before even your good intention miss the mark. Here are some often-overlooked details of card-sending etiquette. CREATING YOUR CARD LIST
There is no limit to the number of people you should include on your card list, but sending a card to everyone you know can be inappropriate and costly. However, sending Christmas cards is an important way of staying in touch with people you do not see often, or those who live in other cities or countries. These cards, in particular, call for a personal, handwritten note. Even a message as brief as, "How have you been? We've missed you" conveys good will and sincere interest.
Family and friends appreciate receiving cards that contain family photos or pictures of the children. This is another way of sharing clan "news" with others.
Holiday greetings sent to coworkers and business associates show them that you value the relationships and plan to maintain ties throughout the coming year.
Don't forget to put special people such as hair stylists, baby-sitters, school bus drivers, doctors and dentists on your list. The holidays are a perfect time to express your gratitude for their personal assistance to you and your family. SELECTING AND SIGNING CARDS
There's a wider selection than ever of holiday cards, and many have been created for special relations or situations. These include Christmas cards with messages for stepfathers and stepmothers, for mothers and daughters who haven't always seen eye to eye, and for those who are ill or have recently lost a loved one.
Christmas cards come in many different languages today and are one way to demonstrate extra thoughtfulness to persons far away from their native lands during holiday time.
Christians may send "season's greeting" cards to Jewish friends and vice versa, since Christmas and Hanukkah fall close to each other on the from page A6 calendar. Religious cards or those featuring the word Christmas or Hanukkah, however, should be sent only to those who share the same faith as the sender.
Cards sent to business associates should be secular and more formal than those sent to family and friends.
Whenever possible, try to personalize a printed greeting with a short note. It's the best way to pass along your good will.
Even if your cards have been printed inside with a name or names, always sign the card. If a card is from more than one person, as a courtesy, the person signing should write his or her name as the last adult signature.
When sending a personal Christmas card, address it to husband and wife, even if you know only one of the pair.
If addressing a card to a couple with two different last names, write the envelope with the husbands's name first (John Jones), followed by the wife's maiden name (Mary Smith) on the same line. If there are children, write John Jones, Mary Smith and Family. Some divorcees use their maiden name. Make sure you know which name the recipient prefers. If she generally goes by her married name, use it in conjunction with her first name, Mrs. Mary Jones, not her former husband's first name.
When sending a card to a widow, address her using her husband's first name, Mrs. John Jones, not her first name, Mrs. Mary Jones.
Mail a card to a person with whom you do business to his or her office.
However, if you are social friends as well or have met the person's spouse or "significant other," send the card to his or her home and include the spouses name.
Send a card for a coworker in your own office to the home, addressing it to Mr. and Mrs. if the recipient is married, whether or not you have met the spouse. To help your card recipients keep their list up to date and to. Funny cards are not chosem at random but to suit the receiver.
comply with the U.S. Postal Service's request, include your return address on each card you send.
Avoid holiday hassles by mailing early - any time after Thanksgiving and before New Year's Day is appropriate.
Remember: it takes no extra time to send your Christmas greetings the proper way. And keeping these customs of correspondence in mind will enhance the pleasures of those receiving your good wishes.
