Life — December 12, 1930 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Christmas Card Tricks This page explains the practical challenges of mailing Christmas cards properly and on time. The main cartoon depicts a crowded post office during the holiday rush, with someone asking Santa "What would you suggest for a child of twelve, Santa?"—likely poking fun at the chaos and impossibility of getting mail delivered reliably during Christmas. The article discusses timing issues: cards must be mailed early enough to arrive by Christmas Eve, but senders often forget or miscalculate. It humorously addresses addressing problems—misspelled names, unclear handwriting—that cause delivery delays. The piece also describes the author's experience managing Christmas mail logistics from multiple cities, illustrating how unpredictable the holiday postal system was, even with careful planning.