Write a Terrific Holiday Letter

Tip of the Week – Write a Terrific Holiday Letter!

If I could, I would love to write a thoughtful note in every one of my Christmas cards, but with our ever growing mailing list, it just isn’t possible!  And so, like a lot of families, I put an insert into my cards.

For the past few years, I’ve assembled a photo collage of our activities and travels throughout the past year.  I type up short captions and place those under the photos offering a two minute recap!   One of the fringe benefits of the collage approach is that I’m not limited to the photos where all five of us look acceptable!

For a more traditional letter, there are some tips for making your letter a “must read!”

• Keep it Short -  your letter shouldn’t be longer than a single page!  If your letter is more like a novel, it probably won’t get read during this busy season!
• Have a Sense of Humor -  keep the tone of your letter light and fun!  A bit of humor also goes a long way to offset any tendency to brag!
• Be Positive -  even if the past year has had sad occasions that you would like to share, offer this news in as upbeat a way as possible.
• Use a Theme -  choosing a theme for your family’s letter will make the writing so much easier!  Was your year characterized by change?  Or lots of travel?  Many “firsts”?  Let this be the framework for what you write.
• Write from One Person’s Point of View – the letter should be written by one person who describes the events of the year.   Then, if they choose to write about themselves, the writer should use “I” to describe their own news.  This will eliminate that awkward part of a letter where the writer refers to him or herself by name!  (Susan had a busy year with Busy Bee.  Don’t do this!)
• Proofread – read and reread your letter for typos and grammatical errors!  Even better, have someone else proofread the letter for you!  Reading the letter aloud will also help to spot mistakes.

I hope that these suggestions help you to create a memorable and entertaining family letter that will be read and enjoyed by all!

You may also enjoy:

• Take the Perfect Holiday Card Photo
• Personalized Holiday Cards with Style
• Unique Holiday Cards by Lilly Pulitzer
• New Christmas Traditions
• Retro Holiday Cocktail Party
  

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