How do you deal with a Christmas card? Plus, holiday greetings explained
The holiday season brings with it age-old traditions like decorating the Christmas tree, getting together with friends and more.
And your family may be preparing to send holiday greeting cards to friends and loved ones. But some find dealing with holiday cards frustrating, risking grammar mistakes or other tampering.
In addition, the US Postal Service and other experts are appealing to shoppers Get their holiday gifts in the mail as soon as possible.
Daniel Post Senning, author and spokesperson for Emily Post Institute, told USA TODAY that, while you’re sending holiday greetings, “never underestimate the value a personal touch can bring to your family.” your communication.”
Here’s what you need to know before sending your best wishes.
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How to write address on holiday card?
USPS suggestion that people send letters “print addresses neatly in capital letters.” If you’re handwriting the addresses on your holiday cards, use a pen or permanent marker.
You don’t have to use commas or periods when writing an address, according to the USPS.
Senning explains that it’s also important to use a person’s full name when sending an envelope.
“The most important thing is that it reaches the right people. And it seems like the obvious advice, but sometimes it’s the biggest trick,” he said. “You want to use everyone’s full name on the outside envelope, even if the inside is ‘Dear Sally’ or ‘Dear Smith Family.’
You can add the addresses of your friends and family online with some of the holiday card creators. Jim Hilt, president of Shutterfly, told USA TODAY that you can also personalize your holiday cards while processing them. .
“When you’re addressing the cards, the font you choose can really help set the tone. I like to keep it simple by calling the cards by the individual’s first or household name,” he said. “You can get creative and make your own design and address envelopes for free, or even have Shutterfly send you a card.”
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Is it you, you or you?
If you want to use a formal title when referring to your holiday card, “Miss” refers to an unmarried woman or girl. Grandmother refers to a married woman. Ms. Can be used for all women. Mr. used for men.
In business, Ms. Usually the right choice for women. The plural of two women is Mesdames and the plural of Mr. is Messrs.
Senning advises that “the standard for how you address people is how they want to be addressed.”
“In terms of how you structure and organize the headlines, it’s really more about the recipient’s preference,” he says.
How do I know which titles to use for all my friends and loved ones?
For a couple consisting of a man and a woman, one of the most traditional ways to address them is by the formal title and the man’s first and last name: Mr and Mrs. John Kelly.
But it’s 2021, so experts say you can take a different approach without offending your loved ones.
“You’ve got a very traditional form for a couple called by the husband’s name, basically, so it becomes Mr. And Mrs. John Smith. It might be as formal to address Dr. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith,” Senning said.
But he added that “it’s always good etiquette if you don’t know.”
“Maybe ask the person you’re sending it to, ‘I’m sending something. I want to make sure I’m at the right address. How would you like to be resolved? ‘ is never an impolite question to ask. It doesn’t reveal surprises too soon, or steal your own thunder to do it,” he said.
Hilt told USA TODAY there are also details that can make your card more personal.
“Sometimes adding their nickname in parentheses is a way to make them smile. Or adding their pets (even goldfish!) is a nice nod to make your card stand out,” I said.
You may also want to ask if a person likes sexist titles like Mx., according to Senning.
Is it Happy New Year, Happy New Year or Happy New Year?
If you want to send a card to mark the new year, you should wish your friends and family a “Happy New Year.”
You don’t need to capitalize the name of the holiday if you’re discussing New Year’s events. For example, you can share with loved ones that your spouse will start a new job in the new year.
And another quick tip – it’s a seasonal greeting, not a seasonal greeting.
Merry Christmas to the Smith family? Smith’s? Smiths?
We know that you may need to be updated on where and when to use apostrophes when referring to holiday greetings. Here’s a quick reference:
Smith family:
To do: Merry Christmas from the Smiths. The Smiths’ Christmas Eve party is coming up. This gift is from the Smith family.
Do not: Smith’s is traveling during the holidays.
The Jones family:
To do: Merry Christmas from the Joneses. Jones’ Christmas Eve party is coming up.
Do not: The Jones family is traveling during the holidays.
May family:
To do: Merry Christmas from Mays. Mays’ Christmas Eve party is coming up.
Do not: Maies is traveling for the holidays.
Here is a general rule: Names that end in “ch”, as opposed to those that are pronounced with a hard k like “kingch;” NS; NS; NS; and z; need an es to make them plural.