topic Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE in Community Chat

ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Oznell — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:01:18 GMT

Seeing the British Prince and Princess of Wales' new Christmas card made me want to look up some others. This is entirely unserious, and I'm not evaluating these individuals as people, just the cards they send...

It's a pleasant family photo, but candidly, to me it's not Christmas-card-worthy. Denim's fine, but eh, this is not my favorite...

This one is more like it, for my taste. Let's dress up a little. Although... would it hurt to have injected a little green or red, ha. ( I like blue too, but apparently not as much as they do.)

A little formality gets a bad rap...

The royals have a long history of careening back and forth from casual to more formal in their Christmas cards.

This one they sent one year is casual, even a bit kooky. But it has personality, and a certain "oomph".

This one of all four of them is playful, yet somehow "special" and joyous.

A nice one from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. And no one was enforcing a "blue" rule...

Strictly from an aesthetic standpoint, I like this black and white one that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex used, I think for their first Christmas card together. Harry and Meghan and fireworks. It conveys an appropriately celebratory feeling ...

My favorite might be this one though, sent by King George and Queen Mary in 1914. It's very sweet and sad too, because it is being sent to the troops, so many of whom fought and would not come back in World War I. This royal couple dressed very carefully for their subjects, esp. on occasions such as these.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Love my grandkids — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:31:57 GMT

@Oznell I actually like the first one. The black and white is my least favorite and I see a resemblance to Queen Mary in Queen Elizabeth II. I think it's her facial expression and her nose, actually. Very pretty card, I really like that one.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Sooner — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:41:53 GMT

I think the first one is spot on for the time, place and situation. It says "a new era" and it says happy and close real family. "Here we are, here are our kids, we are a real family and a happy family. We are connecting with one another and with our jobs and country."

Simply brilliant!

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

BlueFinch — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:30:35 GMT

Both photos are very nice, but neither scream --- or even whisper Christmas. Since they chose to go casual this year, I would like to have seen some holiday colors for their cards. Something fun that the kids could love, too. Although I doubt they'd ever settle for ugly holiday sweaters, or t-shirts :-).

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Chopsmom — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 10:24:10 GMT

@Oznell

I agree. It is a pleasant family photo, but it's looks like they are going on a picnic. The pic is just too "summertime" for a Christmas card.

My favorite is the 1918 card.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

jonbon — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 10:43:53 GMT

I know I've said this in previous discussions about holiday cards, but many people don't worry that the photo(s) included are not formal or done in "holiday" colors—they simply use a really nice photo (or photos) of their family members from the previous year. That's what I do. So it's not uncommon to see a photo from a special vacation or an activity that family members do together or a big event (graduation, etc.). I sometimes see a comment posted on social media that says, "Christmas card photo!" when someone shares a wonderful family vacation photo or something similar.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 11:29:32 GMT

I like them all and where is it written that a photo Christmas card has to have a Christmas theme or colors? Its like saying you cant wear white after labor day.

I like the more casual ones because it shows them as ordinary people. They get plenty of dress up time that is shown to the public.

Its a fact that you cant please everyone.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

PamfromCT — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:00:57 GMT

I guess everyone has their ideas of portraits. When we celebrated our 50th anniversary, our kids rented the grounds of an old historic home for the photo shoot. Yes, there is a requirement to do so. Lovely settings all around, including old stone walls, etc. The photographer did a great job.

We wanted to be captured as we live. Nothing stiff. So we all wore our usual jeans and nice tops, except for our little granddaughter who wore a casual dress. We even have a picture of us sitting in my DH’s classic convertible against the setting of an old barn. The picture of us all sitting on narrow stone steps between two rock walls is my favorite.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Lvqfan — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:05:56 GMT

I love the casual photo.....especially loved seeing Kate in skinny jeans! They're still my favorite and the most flattering jeans for me, too!

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

chrystaltree — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:07:54 GMT

It's a wonderful family picture but I don't care for it as a Royal Family Christmas card.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

faeriemoon — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:59:05 GMT

I think it's kind of nice to sort of rotate around casual, formal, Christmassy, vacation-y, playful, serious. They'll be sending these photo cards forever so they have to mix it up.

Gotta say, I love the fireworks card best. It has an artistic quality I like.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

eadu4 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 14:15:20 GMT

@Oznell I don't have a problem with it. I prefer it to "theme pictures". This is a a beautiful natural picture. I'm not a fan of families who dress up for a "theme" picture. I understand some people wanted a more "formal" attire for everyone but to me those always come across as uncomfortable and stuffy for the kids and not really enjoyable. But I know to some a picture of everyone all dressed up would have been a better representation of a "royal holiday" card. I think it's a happy family picture and to me happy represents holiday. It's a time for those kids to not be royal...

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Sooner — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:06:56 GMT

To me it is sending good wishes to all from their family during their religious holiday, while being mindful that they are sending to the world and Commonwealth in particular greetings during their religious season's celebration.

It is forward thinking, neutral and inclusive in today's world and I think that respect for others is probably a huge message.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

ValuSkr — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:12:58 GMT

I heard they decided this year's card should be low-key. Last year's card, when they all wore crowns, didn't go over so well.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

beckyb1012 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:30:48 GMT

I like them all but my preference is the informal ones. Most of the photo Christmas cards I receive is even in summer wear when the families all came together for an event of some sort. Regardless of dressy or down it is the thought and love that comes across to the receiver of the card.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

SharkE — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:50:20 GMT

I'd scrach Harry from the cards.

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Stray — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 16:25:26 GMT

There are many who do not celebrate Christmas in the UK so the lack of Christmas color is understandable. I like the 1914 because of the message.

I do like the black & white & fireworks as it is celebratory

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Love my grandkids — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:29:59 GMT

@SharkE Fortunately they didn't ask you what you thought!

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

Sooner — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:32:22 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@SharkE Fortunately they didn't ask you what you thought!

@Love my grandkids I'll always ask her then. Sometimes I get a really big and needed laugh fromher. @SharkE

Re: ROYAL CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2022 AND BEFORE

AuntG — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:01:22 GMT

Although it doesn't exactly say "Christmas", I absolutely the 2022 card! Wish they'd send me one.