Manners & Etiquette Wednesday: Calling Cards

Manners & Etiquette Wednesdays

Crazy For Calling Cards

Hello All! It's Wednesday and today I am talking about calling cards also known as visiting cards. Long before the invention of cellphones and text messaging, there was a social network all of it's own. Rather than people saying " text your phone number to me" or "I'll put your number in my phone", we lived in a world where people had a glorious thing called calling cards.

In an article I stumbled upon called The History of Calling Cards, a story from The New York Times in 1893 read; "A society woman's calling card follows her everywhere she goes, remains when she is gone, and is the recognized representative in the payment of social debts when personal attention is impossible."

In the early 18th through the 20th century, calling cards were quite the fashion for both men, women and children. Today, this once outdated custom is being brought back into our society, and I am thrilled!

Calling cards, also know as visitor cards, served many social purposes. Calling cards were a means of introduction, used to further a friendship or acquaintanceship, when congratulations or condolences were in order or to provide a notice of a person's arrival or departure. Calling card etiquette had strict rules. As stated in an article; "Generally, the bearer waited in a carriage, enlisting a servant to deliver the calling card. (The bearer folded a corner if delivering the card in person.) This first call rarely resulted in a face-to-face meeting as the conveyor generally expected to deliver the item to a servant and leave.
Stringent rules prevented awkward situations. Socialites desiring a relationship with a particular person or family dropped off a card and returned home. The receiver replied with their own card in a few days, inviting the initiator back for an in-person visit. If the aspiring socialite received the answering card sealed in an envelope or did not receive a return card, it meant to maintain social distance."

Most visiting cards reflected elegance and simplicity. In fact, in 1922, Emily Post gave specific instructions for her lady readers as to how their cards must be;
Emily Post clarified the definitions for her readers. Women's cards measured approximately 2.75 to 3.5 inches wide by 2 to 2.75 inches high. Men's cards took on a longer, narrower aspect from 3 to 3.4 inches long by 1.25 to 1.5 inches wide. Post recommended a shaded-block font or a simple, engraved script, but advised against anything too ornate. Some cards bore neoclassical designs, portraits, a coat of arms and more. Today's social calling cards diverge far from Post's parameters, as bearers now order more stylized forms.

Well, personally I love the idea of calling cards. I find them to be sophisticated and elegant with just the right touch of class! As a military wife, people often have and use calling cards on a daily basis. I have been to many luncheons on our Base where we are asked to leave our calling card for the hostess.

When I first became a Marine wife, I attended a dinner at The Generals home on our Base. As wives, we were told to run out and fetch a book known as "Parade Rest". It is a social etiquette book for military officer wives. One particular chapter of the book covers calling/visitor cards and specifically tells us, that when hosting a party, one should always place a tray in her entryway for guests to leave their calling card in. This is a common practice and a way of letting the hostess know who came to her party, as well as who to thank for coming.

Calling cards are also a great way to share your contact information at a Mommy play date or school event for your child. How many times have you been chatting with a new friend and rummaged through your purse for a pen & paper to write your information on???

So, because I love the idea of calling cards, I have decided to try to bring this practice back in my small little world and circle of friends! :) My Mom has made her own beautiful calling cards! My Mother's name is Robin, so she water colored a beautiful little Robin Bird on the front of her calling cards. Such a nice , personal touch! I just ordered these calling cards off of http://www.tinyprints.com/

Today, we can be creative with our calling card choices! Here is the front of my new cards!!

The inside displays my name, phone number, e-mail and blog address. The whole card is no bigger than a business card.

I hope you join me in bringing back this wonderful idea of the past !


Before I go, I had to share some pictures from my little man's bedtime routine!

Just after his bath, all snug in his towel, waiting to read his nighttime book, "Goodnight Moon"!

As you can tell, we get pretty excited about "Goodnight Moon" around here!!!

Ok, now we're calm.... I'm Ready Mama!

Just Before Bed and Waiting For His Nighttime Bottle. :)

Goodnight Everyone!

Blessings,
Sarah