Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Music runs so deep in North Carolina, even Santa knows he needs the mic to be heard!...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Music runs so deep in North Carolina, even Santa knows he needs the mic to be heard! This greeting card was sent from Louisburg to Hamptonville in the 1920s, and features Kris Kringle broadcasting the message “Merry Christmas Happy New Year” via microphone. Here’s hoping your 2024 in NC was filled with music, and that your 2025 will be as well! Image: “Merry Christmas Happy New Year,” From Carolina Christmas Collection, State Archives of NC Photos(@nc_archives_photos), considered in public domain but responsibility for permissions rests with researchers. Alt text: drawing and lettering in red, featuring Santa using a mic, with a gift bag slung over shoulder, and an outline of Christmas tree in background, signed “Bettie” in black ink.