The most formal method to address a married couple is for example ‘Mr. and Mrs. A. Dixon’. ‘A’ being the initial of the husband, but this is really old school. Those with the highest title in the family precede those of secondary or without titles. If the wife is a PhD, it would be Dr. and Mr. Dixon to be exceedingly formal. Nobody does this anymore in the USA which is why your video is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing so people can write more thoughtful cards.
I'm from the Netherlands and it's different here. We have Saint-Nicolas day on december 6th (Saint-Nicolas eve on december 5th with family and gifts) and after 'Sinterklaas' is over we start the Christmas season and mail out cards. It's normal to receive cards a few days before Christmas, because we leave everything up until January 6th. Some even say it's bad luck to get your Christmas tree down before January 6th. That's Epiphany and that's when Christmas ends. It's fun to see how different it in in the US.
Thank you for sharing. Please don't misunderstand my message. If you listen carefully, you will hear where I share that, people (U.S.) do things differently from one another. My neighbor will do differently than I do. I decorate, plan and save early for the Christmas season. MANY don't. In your country, it sounds like everyone does exactly the same. THAT would be very different from the U.S. It's definitely not strict here, and decorating timelines is one of the few things the Government doesn't control. I hope I cleared up the confusion. Many people leave their trees up into January, including me.
Hello Cindy. I'm American and my family has always celebrated Christmas similar to you. Cards go out mid-December. Our tree comes down after Epiphany January 6.
I live in Austrália and half of our family is across Europe. So I start with organising Christmas pretty early October. As much as I want to push back the date I simply won't be able to bring Christmas spirit to people I love if I wait. My Christmas cards are sent early November and still sometimes arrive very close to Christmas. I remember my first year of marriage while being in Australia I did not know these things and when I went to send Christmas card in middle of December there was a queue waiting outside all the way down the street. People sometimes laugh how early I prepare for Christmas but they don't realise how much calmer my actual advent is.
I’m from Hungary and only lived in the US for 2 years but I too notice that people will observe Christmas very different from one another and even year-on-year. Traditions and timelines are less set in stone and it’s just whatever people feel like doing.
💯 agree about early Christmas cards. People have started doing new years or Valentine’s Day cards and by then I’m not going to display. I save all of the photo cards and keep them organized by year. It’s fun to look back on.
I'm a card-sender. But the 2 seasons I send -- when people mostly notice -- are Thanksgiving and Easter. One aspect I've discovered is sad is taking people off the list who have died.
I like to send Christmas cards at the beginning of December. I make homemade cards, and the amount I send depends on the time I have. Sometimes, it's just close friends and familly.
Prefer to receive them early December, so that I can display them, but I also want to be able to send one back to someone who I may not have thought of who sent me one. There is nothing worse than receiving a card a week after new years - you feel like an afterthought. I get that people are really busy, but it can hurt if you were close to someone and really came through for them during the year.
I'm so glad you made this video. I value your advice and I have always stressed over Christmas Cards. I'm not stressed about it after watching this video. Question: My aunt died last month and I don't know what kind of Christmas card to send my cousin. What do you suggest? Maybe a serious card with a scripture verse? Maybe a personal note, instead of the card? Have you considered making a video for children's Christmas gifts? I have grandchildren ranging from 14 months to 10 years. I could, really, use some help. Thank you, Tracy. xo~linda
Thanks, Tracy! I love to display cards we receive by clipping them to garlands on our staircase railings with mini clothespins. ❤️ P.S. I’m curious if you send Christmas cards to your coaching clients? Thank you again!
I think most people that send a generic letter about what they, their children, etc. are doing is great and well intended. Some may come across as bragging but I really don’t think that’s the case. What I like to receive is a “How are you doing?” note from the sender. “Thinking of you and your family!” ❤🌹⭐️
Thank you for the video. I love sending Christmas Cards each year. Also, I like your Christmas decor in the background but I cannot find that link in the description box...
Thank you. I added the decor. Christmas Decor behind me in the video LED Ceramic Christmas Trees (set of 5): rstyle.me/+5ZftdD4U-GisklF0PFT1WQ Reindeer in finish Zink 21”: rstyle.me/+6BF1sfVyy2vHwGEpxTHyYQ available in 4 finishes and 3 heights Wood Reindeer 10.5”: rstyle.me/+ONIGkQ3ZhdxvyQGnTn1b4Q Wood Reindeer 9”: rstyle.me/+N1DaeDNKmWgPY1tK8gQxSQ
I found this video so helpful! it’s the video I didn’t know I needed. What would you suggest for couples living together that are engaged to be married?
Tip: If you celebrate Xmas or send Xmas cards, Xmas doesn’t work around your schedule, you work around the schedule of Xmas. Start early! I worked in retail when I was very young. People would get aggressive and panic a few days before Xmas and it was ugly! It just comes across as a little bit arrogant that people think Xmas day should fit in when their life is not busy.
Back in the mid to late 1980s, I worked part time at a Zayre department store. They opened at 6 am on Thanksgiving day and did not close until 9 pm on Christmas Eve! I remember looking towards the front entrance and seeing a small crowd beating on the glass when we were closing on Christmas Eve,, hoping to be let in. Sorry not sorry, folks!
Thanks Debby, I remember really ugly full on fights in the car park over a parking space and people driving around in circles over an hour trying to find a spot. Ewww!
Tracy, when is the best time to decorate for the season? I have been lax is getting cards out. I certainly love getting them but I haven’t (for many reasons) sent any in years. Also….what do you think of the update letters that people send with the cards.
I addressed your question on Instagram Stories today (Wednesday, 11/16). Please check it out before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, 11/17, as the message will expire. Have a lovely holiday season.
Hello Gina, professional etiquette consultant here. One would address them by mentioning the person you are closest first with their full name and their live-in girlfriend’s full name proceeding. For example, ‘Dear Andrew Dixon and Gia Garcia’. Since it is family, this is perfectly acceptable to simply use their first names, but it depends on how close your relationship is. Let me know if this helped or if you have more questions!
The most formal method to address a married couple is for example ‘Mr. and Mrs. A. Dixon’. ‘A’ being the initial of the husband, but this is really old school. Those with the highest title in the family precede those of secondary or without titles. If the wife is a PhD, it would be Dr. and Mr. Dixon to be exceedingly formal. Nobody does this anymore in the USA which is why your video is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing so people can write more thoughtful cards.
Love this video, this really helped me with my holiday card planning last year! Here I am again reviewing as a refresher ^.^
I'm from the Netherlands and it's different here. We have Saint-Nicolas day on december 6th (Saint-Nicolas eve on december 5th with family and gifts) and after 'Sinterklaas' is over we start the Christmas season and mail out cards. It's normal to receive cards a few days before Christmas, because we leave everything up until January 6th. Some even say it's bad luck to get your Christmas tree down before January 6th. That's Epiphany and that's when Christmas ends. It's fun to see how different it in in the US.
Thank you for sharing. Please don't misunderstand my message. If you listen carefully, you will hear where I share that, people (U.S.) do things differently from one another. My neighbor will do differently than I do. I decorate, plan and save early for the Christmas season. MANY don't. In your country, it sounds like everyone does exactly the same. THAT would be very different from the U.S. It's definitely not strict here, and decorating timelines is one of the few things the Government doesn't control. I hope I cleared up the confusion. Many people leave their trees up into January, including me.
Hello Cindy. I'm American and my family has always celebrated Christmas similar to you. Cards go out mid-December. Our tree comes down after Epiphany January 6.
I used your Zazzle link to purchase address labels. Your words reminded me that I needed them!
Yay, thank you!
I live in Austrália and half of our family is across Europe. So I start with organising Christmas pretty early October. As much as I want to push back the date I simply won't be able to bring Christmas spirit to people I love if I wait. My Christmas cards are sent early November and still sometimes arrive very close to Christmas. I remember my first year of marriage while being in Australia I did not know these things and when I went to send Christmas card in middle of December there was a queue waiting outside all the way down the street. People sometimes laugh how early I prepare for Christmas but they don't realise how much calmer my actual advent is.
I’m from Hungary and only lived in the US for 2 years but I too notice that people will observe Christmas very different from one another and even year-on-year. Traditions and timelines are less set in stone and it’s just whatever people feel like doing.
💯 agree about early Christmas cards. People have started doing new years or Valentine’s Day cards and by then I’m not going to display. I save all of the photo cards and keep them organized by year. It’s fun to look back on.
Happy Holiday to you, your family, and your viewers. I do enjoy your talks. Thank you!
Good video. Much needed!!
Your hair looks great! 💕
Sending Christmas cards is my favourite part of the holiday. I will be sending mine out soon.
Loved this video thank you Tracy. Was very reassuring that my mother taught me well!
I'm a card-sender. But the 2 seasons I send -- when people mostly notice -- are Thanksgiving and Easter. One aspect I've discovered is sad is taking people off the list who have died.
OMG Tracy! I loved this video! It was informative, fun, and full of great ideas! Now I know when to send my Christmas cards! Thanks for the tip!
Your hair looks amazing styled this way!
Thank you!
I like to send Christmas cards at the beginning of December. I make homemade cards, and the amount I send depends on the time I have. Sometimes, it's just close friends and familly.
Prefer to receive them early December, so that I can display them, but I also want to be able to send one back to someone who I may not have thought of who sent me one. There is nothing worse than receiving a card a week after new years - you feel like an afterthought. I get that people are really busy, but it can hurt if you were close to someone and really came through for them during the year.
Thanks Tracy! Another great video!
I'm so glad you made this video. I value your advice and I have always stressed over Christmas Cards. I'm not stressed about it after watching this video.
Question: My aunt died last month and I don't know what kind of Christmas card to send my cousin. What do you suggest? Maybe a serious card with a scripture verse? Maybe a personal note, instead of the card?
Have you considered making a video for children's Christmas gifts? I have grandchildren ranging from 14 months to 10 years. I could, really, use some help.
Thank you, Tracy.
xo~linda
Thanks, Tracy! I love to display cards we receive by clipping them to garlands on our staircase railings with mini clothespins. ❤️ P.S. I’m curious if you send Christmas cards to your coaching clients? Thank you again!
Our Christmas is January 7th and the Christmas period lasts for 12 days, until January 19th, so late cards are welcome in our house ;)
Your hair looks so nice Tracy! The real Christmas season starts December 25 until January 6.
Thank you. Christmas & the holiday season around my house has begun, and I love it!
What do you think about a Christmas letter, as long as it’s newsy and brief, included with holiday cards?
I think most people that send a generic letter about what they, their children, etc. are doing is great and well intended. Some may come across as bragging but I really don’t think that’s the case. What I like to receive is a “How are you doing?” note from the sender. “Thinking of you and your family!” ❤🌹⭐️
I love newsletters.
Thank you for the video. I love sending Christmas Cards each year. Also, I like your Christmas decor in the background but I cannot find that link in the description box...
Thank you. I added the decor.
Christmas Decor behind me in the video
LED Ceramic Christmas Trees (set of 5): rstyle.me/+5ZftdD4U-GisklF0PFT1WQ
Reindeer in finish Zink 21”: rstyle.me/+6BF1sfVyy2vHwGEpxTHyYQ available in 4 finishes and 3 heights
Wood Reindeer 10.5”: rstyle.me/+ONIGkQ3ZhdxvyQGnTn1b4Q
Wood Reindeer 9”: rstyle.me/+N1DaeDNKmWgPY1tK8gQxSQ
I found this video so helpful! it’s the video I didn’t know I needed. What would you suggest for couples living together that are engaged to be married?
Tip: If you celebrate Xmas or send Xmas cards, Xmas doesn’t work around your schedule, you work around the schedule of Xmas. Start early! I worked in retail when I was very young. People would get aggressive and panic a few days before Xmas and it was ugly! It just comes across as a little bit arrogant that people think Xmas day should fit in when their life is not busy.
Back in the mid to late 1980s, I worked part time at a Zayre department store. They opened at 6 am on Thanksgiving day and did not close until 9 pm on Christmas Eve! I remember looking towards the front entrance and seeing a small crowd beating on the glass when we were closing on Christmas Eve,, hoping to be let in. Sorry not sorry, folks!
Thanks Debby,
I remember really ugly full on fights in the car park over a parking space and people driving around in circles over an hour trying to find a spot. Ewww!
Tracy, when is the best time to decorate for the season? I have been lax is getting cards out. I certainly love getting them but I haven’t (for many reasons) sent any in years. Also….what do you think of the update letters that people send with the cards.
would love to know this too about update letters ? 🤔
I addressed your question on Instagram Stories today (Wednesday, 11/16). Please check it out before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, 11/17, as the message will expire. Have a lovely holiday season.
How would one address a card to a relative with a live-in girlfriend as I want to acknowledge both in the home? Thank you.
Hello Gina, professional etiquette consultant here. One would address them by mentioning the person you are closest first with their full name and their live-in girlfriend’s full name proceeding. For example, ‘Dear Andrew Dixon and Gia Garcia’. Since it is family, this is perfectly acceptable to simply use their first names, but it depends on how close your relationship is. Let me know if this helped or if you have more questions!
Thank you so much. Happy Holidays!