Merry Christmas in Cursive

Start with the capital M: a small entry loop, then three humps that step down slightly from left to right, ending in a tail. Its tail runs straight into the e, so the pen stays down. The e is a small loop drawn from the baseline up through the midline and back down; it runs from the baseline straight into the r. The r is a short upstroke to the midline, a tiny shoulder to the right, then a downstroke to the baseline, and the double r is written as one movement. The second r follows without a lift and runs from the baseline straight into the y. The y is an upstroke to the midline, a trough, then a downstroke that loops below the baseline, and its exit stroke finishes the word. Lift the pen before the next word.

Then comes the capital C: one curve that starts with a small loop at the top and sweeps round to the baseline. Its tail runs straight into the h, so the pen stays down. The h is a tall loop, then a hump drawn from the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the r. The r is a short upstroke to the midline, a tiny shoulder to the right, then a downstroke to the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the i. The i is a short upstroke to the midline and a downstroke back to the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the s. The s is a short upstroke to the midline, then a curve back down to the left that closes on the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the t. The t is a short upstroke and a downstroke back to the baseline, with its crossbar added later; it runs from the baseline straight into the m. The m is three humps drawn from the baseline, each one retracing the last downstroke; it runs from the baseline straight into the a. The a is an oval closed at the top, then a downstroke on its right side that exits at the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the s. The s is written as before, and its exit stroke finishes the word.

When the last word is finished, go back and dot the i, then cross the t. A common slip in Merry Christmas is skipping the shoulder of r, which turns it into a stray upstroke.