Merry Christmas from McAllen, Texas

The great thing about this personalized rubber stamp greeting is that it works year after year. For all I know, Ford and Jo are still using it.

Merry Xmas

This card was sent in 1912. I wonder if it wasn't originally intended as a New Year's card, because the lucky four-leaf clover, bags of money, and champagne seem better suited for good luck in the New Year than for Christmas.

A Merry Christmas

This card was sent in 1908. The writing is faded, but I can see that it's from Grandma. The girls are carrying a giant cracker covered with forget-me-nots.

Not everybody knows what a cracker is. I brought some home and a family member was ready to open one up and eat it.  I explained that it has a little bit of gunpowder in it and "cracker" refers to the sound it makes and it's not  filled with crackers to eat. He found this very disturbing and said they should have warnings on the package so someone doesn't blow his lip off.

Visit the French Factrice today if you want to look at more festive holiday cards.