On Dasher, On Dancer, Or Else...

My grandmother set out this ceramic white tray every year when she decorated for Christmas.  It's pretty small (6” x 3”), and it doesn't have any years or makers marks, but I believe it's from the 1950's.

I've looked at this tray hundreds of times throughout my life, but it wasn't until this very moment as I am typing that I noticed something strange.  The cursive "Merry Christmas" are spelled out in Santa's signal whip.  Not gonna lie, I'm slightly disturbed at the idea of Santa savagely whipping his reindeer, let alone twirling it to spell out a Christmas greeting in the process.  The 50's were a very different time, I suppose.