As unlikely as it sounds, there is some version of etiquette for virtually any scenario. Regardless of the situation, a set of rules has been set down to be followed, and that doesn't just mean for royal occasions. Every type of occasion, whether it's a wedding, a funeral, high tea or even what would be considered an informal dinner has its own set of rules. And that doesn't leave the Holiday season out of the etiquette book either. Not only do dinners and parties have their own set, but even something as basic as making sure you put Holiday envelope seals for the cards and letters is in a set as well.
As picayune as that sounds, it is as important to "touch that base" as it is to make sure the envelope is addressed correctly. And make no mistake, there is indeed a definitive way to address envelopes, based on whether the person is single, married, a child or even widowed. Paying attention to how the envelope is addressed, making sure the correct method is used is a huge part of sending out cards and letters anytime, let alone over the holiday season. Bookstores, and even some online resources, have many style guides that are available for all the different addressing styles. That way you can know for sure you're following that bit of etiquette.
Other parts of the card or letter are just as formalized as the address. Everything from the salutation through the closing has an entire section of etiquette style devoted to it. To stick with proper protocol, adhere to a style of writing that is uniform no matter what the main content of the letter is. If you will be sending a correspondence to someone who is in a position of power, doing it the right way is always best.
According to they style guidelines, having the envelope properly addressed with the correct address, postage affixed in the correct place and including a return address are all important when using the postal service to send a card or letter. It is a necessity to affix an envelope seal that was mentioned earlier. Heralding back to the days when the King would seal his correspondences with a wax seal to ensure privacy, envelope seals and stickers have come to represent that nod to propriety.
Granted, following all these rules of etiquette certainly complicates the mailing of a simple Christmas card, but by the time you put all the effort into posting a card or letter following proper protocol, it isn't a "simple" Christmas card any longer.
