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Original poster

It really annoys me when I get Christmas cards addressed to...

53 replies

2pt4WiseMen · 18/12/2008 12:53

Dear Janet, John and family

I only have 2 children surely its not that much effort to add their names!!!

OP posts:
flatmouse · 18/12/2008 13:55

Well 2p4 (or Janet, John and family), personally i would put in the names of the children (so long as i could remember - or copy off last years Christmas card), but i cannot vouch for what my DH does - and he writes the Christmas cards (partly because my handwriting is illegible).

So if that card was from us.... i apologise!

CliffRichardSucksEggsInHell · 18/12/2008 13:57

pisces, it's nice to get a card addressed to you by name rather than by your dh's name.

So if you can't remember their kids' names, what do you put?

potplant · 18/12/2008 14:01

I always get a card from someone who lives in our street saying 'To All at number 20'

If you don't know any of our names then why send me a card!!

CliffRichardSucksEggsInHell · 18/12/2008 14:05

Perhaps, potplant, they thought it might be a way of getting to know your names? So they put their names on your card, and the idea is that you send them a card with your names on it so that in future they know you by name!

At least they've gone to the effort, which I think is very neighbourly.

chuckeyegg · 18/12/2008 14:16

I agree CliffRichardSucksEggsInHell any card I get I feel please to recieve.

Isn't Christmas a time for forgiveness and peace?

piscesmoon · 18/12/2008 14:23

I still don't understand on the address, if it is to both of you surely it can only have one initial? Letters from the bank, solicitors etc come as Mr & Mrs J Smith. All our joint cards come as Mr & Mrs J Smith, some are just to me and then they are Mrs A Smith. My brother doesn't write any surnames on envelopes!
I don't forget DCs names when I write the cards-if I did it would be an indication that I shouldn't send a card any more. I write family if I think that only the younger DC are at home but don't want to miss off the older ones in case they are home.
It puts you off sending cards if everyone analyses the wording!

treacletart · 18/12/2008 14:39

got one today referring to ds and dd as "etc"

PuppyMonkeyNuts · 18/12/2008 14:41

Lol treacle...

lljkk · 18/12/2008 14:49

Crikey, I feel pleased if we get a card from anybody, what a lot of sensitive people who insist on being addressed in specific ways.

I typically sign the cards 'lljkk + family' -- if anybody resents that, just let me know now so I can cross you off my Xmas card list for next year. Life is WAY too short for me to write out all 6 of our names on the 40+ cards we send out each year (or to chase the DC around the house to get them to personally sign).

littlefrog · 18/12/2008 14:55

piscesmoon - i get letters/cards from DH's friends and family addressed to Mrs (DH initial) (DH surname), which REALLY bugs me as I'm not a Mrs, I'm not called his first name, and I've not taken his surname! Older generation...

piscesmoon · 18/12/2008 15:16

That would bug me too littlefrog!

timmette · 18/12/2008 16:06

Where I am in Belgium it is very common to address things - Family Bakker for example

MerlinsBeard · 18/12/2008 16:07

i have done some this year to X and family...but not because i don't know their childrens names...its because i can't remember their DHs names!

Tortington · 18/12/2008 16:07

i always do that.

its not just two names its zillions when you are writing out cards.

georgiemum · 18/12/2008 16:08

Better than mine from an old fiend friend.

'Dear Georgiemama and... are you still married to that guy?'

bluebump · 18/12/2008 16:09

Well my neighbours can't remember my name! When DS was born this year I got a card to Mr Bluebump, 'new mum' and baby T. Then this christmas I got a card to Mr Bluebump, Jenny (not my name), and baby T. It's so funny!

nappyaddict · 22/12/2008 01:19

OK so is it acceptable to write To Phil, Margaret, Sophie and Lucy,

From Nappyaddict and family?

PlonkerTeatowelOnTheirHeads · 22/12/2008 01:33

OP - I cannot stand this unless they don't know/can't remember my children's names.

But, I have to say, what is worse by far is when they just write "from XXXX" without putting a name at all on the card!!

Sooooo bloody impersonal and smacks of 'cant be arsed'!!
It makes my just want to tell them not to bother at all!

PortAndStilton · 22/12/2008 07:44

Just "from XXXX" often means "I can't remember how to spell your name".

We have a Martin/Martyn married to a Linda/Lynda on our list and some years I've just not made an attempt at remembering which one (or possibly both) has the y in it.

telescope · 22/12/2008 07:45

I always write all the names to and from, last night I got a card address to DH and I and family from all at number 85.

Anna8888 · 22/12/2008 07:50

We get all kinds of odd combinations that annoy me - in particular Monsieur et Madame XXXX YYYY et leurs enfants (Mr and Mrs XXXX YYYY and their children). We are not married. The children do not all have the same parents. Grrrrrrrrrr. Nor the same surname. Double grrrrrrrr.

santapaws · 22/12/2008 09:02

The mr and mrs J smith arguement stems from the time, (and i mean squillions of years ago time) that once you are married, the man become protected and dare i say it, owner of the wifey, so therefore, you are one.

Like in the marriage ceremony, the father of the bride is asked to give his daughters hand to her husband so he can take on the role of the father, i.e protector and all that, so he is "giving" his daughter to her husband.

I think now its commonly thought that you are 'one' in an loving way!

I dont mind, i think its quite nice really, kind of reinforces to me the togetherness we share, i mean it could be Mrs A and Mr J smith, as you are two people, but as you have taken the surname of your husband, you are "as one" in marriage.

xx

moyasmum · 22/12/2008 09:26

My brother addresses his card with mine and dh first name but on the inside just signs "best wishes x and x (dd)".

Nothing personal in the card, its as if he writes loads and then separately addresses the cards.

Very dismissive!

Also get Mr and Mrs dh name . we dont share the same name ,never have. This is from my father>

tinselandglittercoveredwincies · 22/12/2008 13:14

I put 'and family' when I only know the person concenced. I don't know them well, but I know they have a partner, elderly mother and 2 children. I have been told their names but can't remember them exactly so I decide to write 'and family' so that I don't cause offence by getting it wrong or worse, by simply not acknowledging that the rest of the family exist.

Most of all, though, I wanted to send a card as a kind thought and to genuinely wish them a lovely Christmas.

Maybe next year I won't bother .

BexieID · 22/12/2008 14:56

DPs name is Dustine, so will get alot of cards with Dustin or Justin. I spell Beckie ie, but have loads of variants. Thomas or Tom for our DS.

A friend put: Becki, Dustan & Josh
My Grandparents put: Becky, Jason & Thomas (They sent a cheque for Tom, but put Thomas (my surname) on it, bless them!).

It's people who don't bother putting Dear whoever and just put the from bit in! I've not done that in any of the 70+ cards i've sent this year!