NWR - Christmas Cards

Bubblegum5586

Help! I feel like this has been discussed, but I am having trouble finding it. How do I address Christmas cards? I don't want it to be formal, meaning I don't want to use Mr. or Mrs.  Does the girl's or guy's name come first? Does that change if they are married? 

Same last name:

Joe & Jane Smith? (I thought that the Man's name shouldn't be separated from their last?)

Jane & Joe Smith?

Different last name:

Joe Jones & Jane Smith?

Jane Smith & Joe Jones?

Does it change whether the couple is married or not?

Any other tips?

theartistformerlyknownas

Informal married with same last name: 

Jane and Joe Smith 

(ladies first/man's first together with last)

Informal not married:

Jane Jones

Joe Smith

(separate lines with no "and;" can do either the female first or whomever you know better - I prefer the latter)

Informal married with different last names:

Jane Jones and Joe Smith

(same line with "and")

CMGragain

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Ms. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith

Ms. Jane Jones
Mr. John Smith   (not married)

The first example is traditional and etiquette approved.  It doesn't matter if YOU don't like it.  You address people the way they prefer to be addressed.
Omitting someone's proper title is not informal.  It is rude.  You may use first names on anything inside the envelope, but outside, you use proper titles.

STARMOON44

CMGragain said:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Ms. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith

Ms. Jane Jones
Mr. John Smith   (not married)

The first example is traditional and etiquette approved.  It doesn't matter if YOU don't like it.  You address people the way they prefer to be addressed.
Omitting someone's proper title is not informal.  It is rude.  You may use first names on anything inside the envelope, but outside, you use proper titles.

On a Christmas card to a friend I would never do this nor would anyone I know, from 16-60.

Jane and John Smith. OR

Mr. and Mrs. Fussy Particular.

redoryx

STARMOON44 said:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Ms. Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith

Ms. Jane Jones
Mr. John Smith   (not married)

The first example is traditional and etiquette approved.  It doesn't matter if YOU don't like it.  You address people the way they prefer to be addressed.
Omitting someone's proper title is not informal.  It is rude.  You may use first names on anything inside the envelope, but outside, you use proper titles.

On a Christmas card to a friend I would never do this nor would anyone I know, from 16-60. Jane and John Smith. OR Mr. and Mrs. Fussy Particular.

I'm 33. I do this but only because my mom started me writing thank you cards at an early age and I've been addressing them this way my whole life. But, that being said, I don't even notice how any friends address mail to me so i'm not going to get offended either way

Maggie0829

For Christmas cards, birthday cards or any fun/celebratory card, I would address it as I would address the person face to face. 

So if I were sending it to my sister I would address it with her first name (not full formal first name, but her shortened first name/nickname...example, her name is Veronica but I call her Vicki).

Now if it was something more formal I would use the appropriate titles.  But it is a freaking Christmas card, not a court summons, so I think being informal is kind of standard and expected (for most, anyways).

[Deleted User]

Hell, since I learned to write, I always addressed letters to my grandparents as Gramma and Grampa LastName on the envelope.  And the other day I address a TY note to my cousin and his wife as Adam and Eve on the envelope, no last name at all.  Since I have a full and proper address, I'm confident the letter will arrive at the proper destination.  I'm not concerned about informality of the envelope.

CMGragain

Ladies, I don;t make the rules.  I just recommend them, and try to follow them.  Most of my cards (I'm getting fewer these days) are addressed this way.

[Deleted User]

CMGragain said:

Ladies, I don;t make the rules.  I just recommend them, and try to follow them.  Most of my cards (I'm getting fewer these days) are addressed this way.

Right, and if I was writing to you, I'd address the envelope properly because that's the way you prefer.  But my cousins and grandparents don't care.

CMGragain

adk19 said:

CMGragain said:

Ladies, I don;t make the rules.  I just recommend them, and try to follow them.  Most of my cards (I'm getting fewer these days) are addressed this way.

Right, and if I was writing to you, I'd address the envelope properly because that's the way you prefer.  But my cousins and grandparents don't care.

That makes no difference.  Etiquette doesn't change just because someone doesn't care.  It is like PPDs are not OK, even if your friends and family don't care.
I will never advise someone to do something that is not proper etiquette.

[Deleted User]

CMGragain said:

adk19 said:

CMGragain said:

Ladies, I don;t make the rules.  I just recommend them, and try to follow them.  Most of my cards (I'm getting fewer these days) are addressed this way.

Right, and if I was writing to you, I'd address the envelope properly because that's the way you prefer.  But my cousins and grandparents don't care.

That makes no difference.  Etiquette doesn't change just because someone doesn't care.  It is like PPDs are not OK, even if your friends and family don't care.
I will never advise someone to do something that is not proper etiquette.

And you have advised me properly.  For that I thank you.  I'll also be ignoring your advice.

Maggie0829

OMG it is freaking envelope.  If you know someone prefers to be addressed as Mrs. John Smith then address it as such.  But really it is handwriting on an envelope.  An envelope that will most likely be ripped in half and thrown in the trash in about 3.5 seconds after being opened.  Just make sure all the names are spelled right and you aren't addressing it to Mr. and Mrs. Suck My Balls (unless of course they like to be addressed that way) and you should be fine.