Etiquette Throwback 1937: Christmas Cards from The New Etiquette by Margery Wilson
Margery Wilson takes us back to 1937, with advice about how to send Christmas cards.
Margery Wilson, The New Etiquette, 1937: Christmas Cards
We get a lot of questions this time of year regarding the best way to send holiday cards. Picture or no picture? Newsletter updates, and if so, what to include and leave out? Do I have to send it to someone who sent me one but wasn’t on my list? Who signs the cards, or do we even have to sign them?
We’ll answer all your holiday card questions in next week’s Etiquette Today article, but for now, let’s venture back to 1937 and see what Margery Wilson had to say.
*Please note that there is language in this selection that is not considered appropriate terminology today. Grammar and spelling in the following excerpt follow 20th-century standards.
Chpater 10 CARDS
CHRISTMAS CARDS
The sending of Christmas cards died out in smart circles a few years ago, but seems to be gradually reviving. It is a cheerful custom and as such should be preserved. Besides, it provides a stimulation for several businesses, which in turn contribute to the welfare of the community-keeping money in circulation and providing employment. As such it is a constructive and patriotic gesture.
The engraved Christmas card should read:
Mr. and Mrs. Holiday Happy wish you a Merry Christmas
It should never read:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mr. and Mrs. Holiday Happy
Engraving is a gesture of formality-which is always expressed in the third person. Mr. and Mrs. - wish, request, announce, etc. Any name at the end of a statement is a signature and as such should be a correct one, such as, "Ann and John Happy" —but it might also correctly be "The Happys," meaning the whole family; though it is not considered good taste ever to write "and family," whether on an envelope or card. A single card meant to convey good wishes to an entire family may properly be addressed to one person or "Mr. and Mrs." and the written message inside might be, "and our love to all of you."
Cards may be written by hand either in the third person,
"Mr. and Mrs. - wish you, etc.," or signed at the bottom of the message with Christian [first] names, the woman's first.
The Christmas card itself may be any style or size or type or color that is interesting or beautiful. There are many exquisite ones from which to choose. They may be as gay as one wishes them to be or they may be religiously serious, depending on the personalities of the sender and the recipient. Naturally one would not send a gay card or one with the word "Merry" on it to a friend in mourning-nor would one send a skating scene to an invalid. Therefore, if one is having a quantity of cards engraved it would be best to choose a scene or decoration that is merely symbolic of Christmas.
Envelope linings may be gay if one likes them. Many people have engraved cards for their general list and have also another very personal one which might be a picture of their own mountain cabin covered with snow or a photograph of their children or a household pet. More serious people tried to outlaw this type of card from the realm of good taste—but they have lost to those moderns who found that they were great fun for both the sender and the recipient. Good taste is discerned in how we handle a matter and seldom influences what we do.
Hand-made and hand-lettered cards are also used. They can often be high art. Smartness and good taste are the only laws to be observed in choosing Christmas cards.
Call us fans, but we adore Wilson’s opening statement that sending cards during the holidays is not only cheerful but also a patriotic act that helps stimulate our local economies and build community. We appreciate her discussing trends but settling in the space of, in the end, it’s up to the sender what they send. It is fun to think that almost 100 years ago, people were still wondering about all the same questions: How do you sign? What to put on the card? Who gets the general send-out, and who gets something more personal…? Tis the season; we hope this inspires you to get going on your holiday cards, whether for a specific holiday or just to celebrate the new year. Get creative (and contribute to your community!) by sending out thoughtful season’s greetings this year.
We hope this throwback has given you a little inspiration for your holiday cards. Tell us what you’re planning to send this year, or share a favorite card from years past! If you can’t post here, head on over to the Monday post, where the comment thread is open to all.
HOLIDAY PARTY CHALLENGE!
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THE PRIZES: You’ll have a chance to win either a signed copy of Emily Post’s Etiquette the Centennial Edition or a copy of our Mind Your Manners trivia game. Three winners for each prize.
THE TIME FRAME: Now until New Year’s Day. (Get planning!!!)
CHALLENGE: Host a holiday cocktail-style party using PartyClick for your invitations and RSVPs.
GIVEAWAY ONE: THE BEST BAR CART Send photos of your bar cart or bar set up for your party to AE@emilypost.com for a chance to win one of three signed copies of Emily Post’s Etiquette the Centennial Edition. Remember, your bar cart can be stocked with non-alcoholic options too.
GIVEAWAY TWO: THE BEST HORS D’OEUVRE Send in a photo of and the recipe for one of the hors d’oeuvres you’re serving at your holiday party, and we’ll choose a winner to receive one of three Emily Post Mind Your Manners trivia games.
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Thanks for taking the time to explore some old-school etiquette with us today, whether your sending out cards or not, we hope this holiday season is starting to fill up with cheer! Don’t forget to get started on the Holiday Cocktail Party challenge! We can’t wait to see the parties you throw! Keep an eye on your inbox for the Saturday Sip; it’s up next! And if you haven’t checked out the podcast this week, here’s the link.
All our best,
Lizzie and Dan
A CHERISHED GIFT
Signed copies of Emily Post’s Etiquette - The Centennial Edition are available now and make an excellent gift this holiday season! And pair well with our NEW TRIVIA GAME: Mind Your Manners. Get your copy today from the fine folks at at Bridgeside Books!
I can't wait to hear the advice you two will give to those with questions about holiday cards. And this was a delightful "Throwback" to 1937!
I tell the followers of the Heartspoken Movement —as Margery Wilson did—that their own instincts will guide them in making most of those decisions and it should be YOUR decisions, not dictated by what you think you're expected to do. If you're going to send holiday cards (or any kind of cards), please do always include a handwritten note. And I also believe that family, tradition, and faith should be the priorities at this sacred time of year. If you don't have time to get all those cards out to the folks on your Christmas or Hanukkah list, they'll be just as glad to hear from you around New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, or Easter! Everyone my age just jokes that the main purpose of a holiday card is to let people know you're still alive :-).
Merry Christmas, Lizzie and Dan -- and thank you for your continued good work. I'm proud to support you as a paid subscriber.