The card, posted on December 12 by Jane and Trevor Davies, finally reached Jean and Terry Mitchell, of Spark House Lane, Norland, on January 27.
Mrs Mitchell, 70, said: "Fancy going all that way and back with a 23p second-class stamp. I just cracked up laughing when the postman showed me the envelope, which says it was sent to Thailand.
"We have been friends with Jane and Trevor for about 40 years."
The card clearly shows it was stamped in Bradford, the nearest mail centre, and has a stamp below which reads "Missent to Thailand".
Sorting staff were clearly baffled because a question mark is scribbled below. A postie finally solved the mystery and scribbled "Try HX6" at the bottom – the correct destination.
Mrs Mitchell said: "It was funny because I sent them a card and it got to Christmas and I said it was unusual we had not received a card from them.
"When I received it on Saturday, I thought 'No wonder'."
Mrs Mitchell said her postman had laughed at the mistake.
"I can't understand how they could mistake Norland for Thailand."
Mrs
Davies, of Quarry Hill, Sowerby Bridge, said she was surprised to hear her Christmas card had taken the scenic route via Thailand.
"It is quite funny, because they only live up the road. And I was early posting my cards for a change – I'm usually last minute."
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The card should have been sent to the nearest mail centre in Bradford and gone back to the Halifax delivery office.
"I would not like to speculate why this did not happen and all we can do is apologise for the delay."
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