# Names of Greeting Card Recipients
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 23, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101 "2017-04-23T22:25:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@StarryGreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarryGreen)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/1 "2017-04-23T22:25:24Z")
While it is not a serious issue, I wanted to add my opinion to a topic of an old 2003 thread titled “Is it rude not to include a person’s name in a greeting card?” that I found while researching the topic. The responses were rather rude themselves but may have been more about the op publicizing his/her complaint about someone on the board.
Including a recipient’s name adds a personal touch that may be old fashioned but I am old fashioned. My favorite coworker and a favorite lady friend who I have a lot in common with (I am into the Victorian era and she likes Medieval times) is the only one at work who writes my name in cards. It helps identify to whom the card is for years later.
The leading card maker, Hallmark, recommends including names.
> **[How to write a thank-you note](https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/how-to-write-a-thank-you-note/)**
>
> Use these tips from Hallmark to learn how to write a thank you note. Includes a thank you note template, plus helpful thank you note wording.
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### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/2 "2017-04-23T23:09:19Z")
My wife always puts the date in the cards she receives. It’s kind of a running joke between us; I don’t. (She looks at the price on the back, too.)
Satan is sick and tired of getting all those Christmas cards from dyslexic kids.
(Welcome to the dope, **StarryGreen**.)
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### Author:  [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/3 "2017-04-24T04:00:31Z")
If I get a card from an aunt I rarely see, I’d expect the formality of “Dear Digby, we are very proud of your graduation from the Hallmark Academy…”
If I get a card from a friend, I want them to write like they’d talk. To write what they’d say in the situation.
I just wrote a card to my best friend because his wife died. I haven’t in thirty years with him started a sentence with “Josh,”
I jumped right in with "We’ve been praying, but I wish there were something more practical we could do…
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/4 "2017-04-25T17:45:38Z")
I almost always write “Dear [name]” or just the name inside the card. Just a little more personal that way, I think.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/5 "2017-04-25T18:02:33Z")
I type up a nice message, cut it to fit and tape inside the card. Double sided tape works great.
I type because my handwriting is terrible, clumsy, and large. I can only fit a few sentences on the card. I can get two paragraphs in 9 pt courier.
I always include a salutation that includes the name.
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-of-greeting-card-recipients/785101/6 "2017-04-25T19:03:08Z")
> [@StarryGreen](#):
>
> While it is not a serious issue, I wanted to add my opinion to a topic of an old 2003 thread titled “Is it rude not to include a person’s name in a greeting card?” that I found while researching the topic. The responses were rather rude themselves but may have been more about the op publicizing his/her complaint about someone on the board.
>
> Including a recipient’s name adds a personal touch that may be old fashioned but I am old fashioned. My favorite coworker and a favorite lady friend who I have a lot in common with (I am into the Victorian era and she likes Medieval times) is the only one at work who writes my name in cards. It helps identify to whom the card is for years later.
>
> The leading card maker, Hallmark, recommends including names.
> [How to Write a Thank You Note | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration](http://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/how-to-write-a-thank-you-note/)
I’m curious. While I can understand your desire not to resurrect a thread that old (and many posters here would thank you for that), can you provide a link to it? I’m sure many of us would be interested in reading it.