How to Address Holiday Cards (and a Giveaway!)

All of a sudden, it’s that time of year again. Time to make your list and check it twice.

No, I don’t mean your naughty or nice list (although now’s a good time to start using it as leverage with your children). And I’m not talking about your holiday wish list (although this year’s gift guides will be coming soon).

The beginning of November is the perfect time to start gathering all of the addresses you’ll need for your holiday cards.

Once again we’ll be ordering our holiday cards from Minted. Not only do they have the best designs (foil pressed! mini books!), but they offer free matching envelope designs and recipient address printing. I can send more holiday cards in less time by not having to address all those envelopes.

Plus, for a small fee, Minted will print your return address, as well. When they arrive on your doorstep, simply stuff the envelopes, slap on festive stamps, and you’re set!

But wait! As you put together your holiday card recipient list, keep these envelope etiquette tips in mind.

Some infractions are minor — listing the husband’s name before the wife’s on an informal card — but please, please, please don’t ever use an apostrophe-s when addressing a family. If you want to send us a holiday card (I’ll send you my address), remember that we’re The Feinsteins or The Feinstein Family. 

But we’re never, ever The Feinstein’s.

Here are a few more rules to remember when addressing holiday cards, according to Emily Post and other etiquette experts:

Addressing a married couple with same last name:
Mr. and Mrs. David Beckham (formal)
Victoria and David Beckham (informal)

Addressing a married couple with different last names:
Mr. Justin Timberlake and Ms. Jessica Biel (formal)
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake (informal)

Addressing a married couple with a hyphenated last name:
Mr. Channing Tatum and Ms. Jenna Dewan-Tatum (formal)
Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Channing Tatum (informal)

Addressing a married couple when the wife is a doctor:
Dr. Jennifer Garner and Mr. Ben Affleck (different last names)
Mr. Ben Affleck and Dr. Jennifer Affleck (same last names)

Addressing an unmarried couple living together:
Mr. Ryan Gosling and Ms. Eva Mendes (formal)
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling (informal)

Addressing a same-sex couple with different last names:
Mr. David Burtka and Mr. Neil Patrick Harris (alphabetical order is preferred)
Ms. Lauren Blitzer and Ms. Chely Wright (alphabetical order is preferred)

Addressing a same-sex couple with same last name:
Mmes. Ellen and Portia Degeneres
Messrs. Jeremiah and Nate Berkus (hypothetically!)

Addressing a married couple with children and different last names:
Mr. Brad Pitt, Ms. Angelina Jolie & Family
The Jolie-Pitt Family

I’m excited to partner with Minted to offer one lucky reader $150 to spend on their site! In addition to family holiday cards, you’ll find stationery, wrapping paper, party decor, art, and more.

To enter, simply fill out the giveaway widget prompts below. Giveaway closes on Friday, November 7th and is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bonus offer for all A Girl Named PJ readers: Take 10% off your order and get free shipping with the code PJ10FS through next Tuesday.

PS – What to wear for family photos and creative ways to display holiday cards.

This post was generously sponsored by Minted.com. All opinions are my own.