Writing Christmas cards to neighbours: how to do it when you’re not sure of their names?

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Jordment@reddit

By house number. Dear All at Number merry Christmas.

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smellyfeet25@reddit

put house number of the envelope then inside just say happy christmas and new year from, add your name/s

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

So British, bless your heart.

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

I assumed I would not be the only one with this issue!

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Isgortio@reddit

You're not the only one. I bought a pack of cards because I know the names of the baby next door as my neighbour has told me when chatting to me but I can't remember their names. So I'm just gonna be nice and send everyone cards so they know my name incase they also have absolutely no idea lmao

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Smeeble09@reddit

We just put "To no.42" or whatever. Then we put our names and house number at the from bit. Get then our before th others, and they'll likely reply with a similar thing, then save these names on your phone.

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Nice_Conversations@reddit

We include both our house number And the recipient's house number every year. And we asked a neighbour who lived here forever for some first names. We receive cards back with their house numbers and names. Everyone just doubles it up, as most of us can't remember or even know all names. The gesture matters much more.

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Petrichor_ness@reddit

We've had a few through this year from blah bah and blah blah at No X thingy st. Got one today from Thomas and Jonathan from the house opposite. They moved in a few months ago and I've talked to Thomas several times. Until his card dropped on the doormat, I was sure he lived alone!

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Johto2001@reddit

Maybe Jonathan is his split personality. Nice Thomas and Naughty Jon.

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KnowingWoman@reddit

Jonathan is his cat?

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fluffy_elf@reddit

Wait until they send you one with their names, or just write 'to everyone at no. 3 from no. 4' and your names for example.

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Ok_Veterinarian_3521@reddit

We got a card off our neighbours the other day, we’ve been living next to them for 6 years. It was addressed to Florence and family. Florence is our dog. Fortunately for us there card included their names.

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doegrey@reddit

This would be a me thing. I learn the names of the cats and dogs but not the humans! 😇

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E3JEN6@reddit

Thats so cute. Years ago we lived in a little village,lots of people didn't know our names but they knew our dogs name was Percy.

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Dreadpirateflappy@reddit

Seems to be a common thing. I know my direct neighbors, but noone else. Everyone knows all the dog names though.

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Dreadpirateflappy@reddit

I have written a card to "Hunter and family" for the last 3 years. Hunter is the dgk, I have zero clue what the neighbours names are.

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Tattycakes@reddit

I’m in a similar situation with our newish neighbours who we never actually really talk to, we had cards from him and her, and then a baby and a dog appeared at the same time, and two new names appeared on the cards, and we don’t know which is which 😂

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KnowingWoman@reddit

Priceless!

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pocahontasjane@reddit

I do not know how many times I asked the neighbours their names or tried to make a mental note when accepting parcels for them. I still only know the dog's name - Zeus. He was a good boy.

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Funk5oulBrother@reddit

All dogs are good bois

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Loose_Acanthaceae201@reddit

Wrong. Some are good girls.

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Wolf-259@reddit

I got a wedding card that was addressed to "[dogs name] mum and dad" Loved that.

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irish_horse_thief@reddit

I got a wedding telegram from Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander), mums pal 💙. I'm still telling people 44 years later..

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Ok_Aioli3897@reddit

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRYdhXg5/

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irish_horse_thief@reddit

Don't and wont do tik tok, sorry etc..

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Ok_Aioli3897@reddit

Source: YouTube https://share.google/ewlgqwBT0MvPHKT5m

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SpudFire@reddit

I bet the postie hates doing your road, with that many houses

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Ok_Veterinarian_3521@reddit

A very slender person with calves like boulders

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catsnstuff17@reddit

I moved into my house this summer and still mostly know my neighbours through their pets' names. I'm terrible with remembering people's names but absolutely on the ball when it comes to dogs and cats!

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AnTeallach1062@reddit

This is genius

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Intrepid_Bearz@reddit

“To all at number xx” from *insert name(s) here at number xx”

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pikantnasuka@reddit

"To all at number six, Merry Christmas from Sally at number twelve"

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

'To all at no. 10' or 'to the Smith family' are perfectly acceptable.

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Aphr0dite19@reddit

To all of you, from all of us! Etc.

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always-tired-38@reddit

“To number 6 merry Christmas from Jonny and Mary (number 8)” Then hope they send one back

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Extension_Run1020@reddit

To everyone at number 5 from John and Mary at number 3

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DoKtor2quid@reddit

But what if your are not called John and Mary??! Other than that, a perfect response. 9.9/10 ( ಠ‿<)

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Fat_Bottomed_Redhead@reddit

Well, you don't want the neighbours knowing your **real** names, they might do something crazy like try to say Hello!!

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DoKtor2quid@reddit

Or send you a Christmas card, ffs heh!

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Fat_Bottomed_Redhead@reddit

The inhumanity 😱

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ProfessorYaffle1@reddit

Yes, I think that's fine - make sure you signatures are clear and include your house number, and on the envelope write something'to all at number 6' - works when you know one person's name but not all the children / dogs /aren't sure if the byfriend lives there or is just a regualr visitor, etc )

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lavayuki@reddit

I didn’t know people send Christmas cards to neighbours unless you are friends with them or personally know them. But certainly not to someone who you don’t even know the name of

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SongsAboutGhosts@reddit

I think you do if you're trying to get to know them - it's a good excuse.

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lavayuki@reddit

The thought crossed my mind for sure since I have a lot of left over cards, but I too don't know the names of any of my neighbours and they don't know mine, so I don't want to write just "Hi" and sign off with my house number because they would not know otherwise. If I knew the names at least, it would make it easier and less awkward

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Tattycakes@reddit

I put a card through the door of anyone I think might take a parcel for us! Good to make connections

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writeordie80@reddit

Funnily enough I had a card today from a new neighbour i have spoken to twice, addressed to me and my husband (who she has never spoken with). She got his name right, mine not even close.

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KnowingWoman@reddit

This is how I do mine for new neighbours - * Write the recipient house number on the envelope. * Seasonal message inside the card, written generically without any names for who it's to. * Then include the names and house number when putting who it's from. It's rare to not receive a card back with their names inside, then we're all set for next time.

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Crunchie2020@reddit

Don’t put names Just put Merry Xmas to you all /to you both From (your name/door number)

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Anxious_wank@reddit

Just throw their house number on, and then you end with your name and your house number. If they return a card typically they'll put their names with their house number. If you do it again next year still out your own house number on it.

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Bayff@reddit

I honestly didnt think people were still doing this. Christmas cards stopped entirely when a lot of my Grandparents died. Parents generation are not really bothered and neither is mine.

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jambocraig66@reddit

agreed

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jambocraig66@reddit

Are people still sending xmas cards? I thought that practice had almost disappeared... if we all send cards to everyone we know - think of the environmental impact I am waiting for the 'bah humbug' and 'I bet you are fun at parties' responses

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jambocraig66@reddit

Yay - down votes! Keep sending the cards then I suppose :(

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Captain_Stable@reddit

I bet your fun at Humbugs. Or something.

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jambocraig66@reddit

Thanks :)

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jambocraig66@reddit

Thanks :)

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jambocraig66@reddit

Thanks :)

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

Honestly, I usually don’t bother — only for older relatives. Just thought this would be a good way to connect with neighbours beyond our usual head nods and “alreyt?”

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jambocraig66@reddit

I suggest sticking to 'alreyt' - it is real contact after all :)

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jambocraig66@reddit

I suggest sticking to 'alreyt' - it is real contact after all :)

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Paper compared to the billions of tons of plastic shite bring gifted 🙄

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jambocraig66@reddit

I agree that we should not buy meaningless plastic presents too - it all ends up in landfill

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Bayff@reddit

Just call people that you care about. If you don’t have time/ don’t want to talk to someone over the Christmas period then why are you sending them a card anyway.

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AlgaeFew8512@reddit

Unless I know their names it's always "to all at xxx from my name at yyy"

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bandit_uk@reddit

I send cards to my neighbors. They send them back... It's a nice thing to do.

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Rev_Biscuit@reddit

They send them back?! Bit rude. Unopened too?

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agd504@reddit

This doesn’t help for this year, but keep any cards you get from neighbours so you have their names next year

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Longjumping_Dark_460@reddit

I once got a Xmas card written "To You and Yours," - which would have been great from a neighbour or work colleague. It was actually from my father and he had clearly forgotten my husband and daughter's names.

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Efficient_Hyena_7476@reddit

Just write "fatty and spotty", or "sleazy one and loud one" etc.

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insertitherenow@reddit

Do you not have nicknames for your neighbours? For example, some of ours are the beards, shouty couple, shiny head and his wife and the no TV’s. Use nicknames if you have them.

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Shitelark@reddit

"Neighbour: Two women" is the reddit way.

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onlysigneduptoreply@reddit

To all at number 74 from Phil, Sue, jayden, kayden and poppin the dog at number 79

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glitterswirl@reddit

“To the household of the golden retriever”? (Or other dog as applicable.)

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TulipTattsyrup99@reddit

If it’s a couple - Merry Xmas to you both, if a family - Merry Xmas to you all. Then their house number on the envelope.

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

It is only a few elderly neighbours who even bother tbh but if you put "to all at number 3, from Pete and Barbara at number 7" then you can look to see if they return the favour. I think it would only be awkward if you have been introduced several times and have forgotten them.

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topher2604@reddit

Address them with something really rogue, e.g. "To the poncey bloke with the unnecessary 4x4 and the woman who should probably shut the blinds before getting undressed at night". That definitely won't get you punched.

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

You’re on the something there — unnecessary 4x4s are a pet peeve of mine

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misskittygirl13@reddit

They are needed where u live, we instead hate Chelsea tractors and VW Transporters

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mrbullettuk@reddit

We have neighbours we call “the Ninjas” when they first moved in we knew people were in the house and they were coming and going but we never saw them coming and going. Hence ninjas. We know their names now.

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misskittygirl13@reddit

Mr Red Kia SUV and person he lives with? Nice lady 2 doors who made the great cookies, old dude who mows his lawn at 6am on Sunday.

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PNWest01@reddit

If you know the last names, “To the ____ Family” is good.

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Sarah-is-always-sad9@reddit

Do you use social media? Does anyone in your street have a public profile where you can see their friends lists or followers? I use that to work out peoples names or just stick to first names only.

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Feline-Sloth@reddit

Dear Number 3, should do the trick

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CandleAffectionate25@reddit

We've just moved in and not had chance to meet properly. We wrote cards 'to our neighbours' and 2 wrote back with their names and numbers. Which is really nice. X

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strawberrypops@reddit

That’s what we did. Most didn’t reply though lol

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

Tbh I don’t necessarily expect responses, just wanna make a nice friendly impression on our new neighbours

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strawberrypops@reddit

Yeah, we felt the same way. We’re a little cluster of houses in the middle of nowhere so thought it’d be nice. To be fair, a few did respond and it was good to finally learn their names!

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lawrekat63@reddit

Write to all at No 6 from Bill and Glenda at number 2. Hopefully they will send you one with their names on it

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

To Number 7 from Number 5 ?

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JingleWurzel@reddit

"Merry Christmas man who puts empty vodka bottles in my recycling and nosy lady who irons at the bay window" "Best wishes portly chinese gent who never wears a shirt" "Compliments of the season old man who looks a bit noncey"

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

Sadly (or thankfully) we don’t appear to have any particular characters. Mostly fellow millennials who appear to also have boring 9-5s and regular hobbies!

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JingleWurzel@reddit

That being the case definitely get cards printed with this https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/how-do-you-do-fellow-kids

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Stinkinhippy@reddit

For my boss we did 'Ladies at XX' for the first year.. since they'd been absolutely lovely and welcoming, but had never given us their names. But yeah, house number or some form of 'the family' etc. is fine.

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astronemma@reddit (OP)

Cheers!

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panspal@reddit

To you and your family

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Tiddlybean@reddit

I get around this by not sending Christmas cards.

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AshamedNetwork777@reddit

What if... Skip the part where you give cards to strangers this year, get to know them over time, and send cards next year to the people you actually like

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Buddha-dan@reddit

Sounds perfect but I'd add inside the card 'Sorry, we don't know your names yet, hope to find out soon'.

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TransatlanticMadame@reddit

All @ #23! And so on.

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Violet351@reddit

Put the house number on the envelope and then sign my name and house number

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Suspicious-Rub8976@reddit

Don't even write "to" just put, "merry Christmas from Bob and Joe at no.7" and hope they do the same

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chocklityclair@reddit

Sounds good.

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