Christmas letters tend to get a bad rap for being obnoxious brag-fests. While I do understand that they can quickly go that direction, I still love them. I look forward to sending and receiving lots of Christmas letters every year!
Have you ever wanted to send letters, but didn’t want to be one of those obnoxious people? Here are a fw tips for keeping your Christmas newsletter on the right track!
- Know WHY you are writing – Do you want to keep in touch with old friends/distant relatives? Wanting to share exciting news? Hoping for a letter in return? Just keeping with tradition? Define the reason for your letter in your mind before you start to write, this will help you stay focused and get your letter going in the direction that you envisioned!
- Be Honest – Honestly, some great things happen to every one each year. Don’t be afraid to share them, but be sure to keep it real too. If your 2 year old has started speaking full sentences, share that! But also include that even with his increased vocab, his favorite word is still “no” and he has also recently perfect the art of the temper tantrum.
- Be Realistic – Give your friends and family a realistic view of your lives. Not sugar-coated, not depressing, just real!
- Be Brief – Realize that anything longer than a page will probably not be read in full, so try to keep it to around 1 page. If you have more to say than that, consider a phone call to your family or starting a blog of your own!
- Include a Photo – A lot can change in a year, so try to include a family photo, even if it’s not something formal. If you are single, don’t be afraid to include a holiday photo or a shot from something fun you did during the year!
- Be Creative – Consider writing your letter in an out-of-the-box manner to make it fun and entertaining. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Be Personal – Even if you type up a letter to send out to all of your friends and family, be sure to include a personal, handwritten note in each letter as well. Just a sentence or two at the beginning or end of your typed letter, creates a personal touch that will make your letter that much more special!
Do you send out letters every year, or avoid them because you don’t want to be obnoxious? Will you send one this year?
Lastly, add that personal touch by sending a family photo or Christmas card along with your letter. Our favorite place to get them is from one of our affiliates, Minted.com! They always have gorgeous, high quality Christmas cards and they’ll even address the envelopes for you. It makes everything so much easier!
This year, you can text your photo to Minted.com and they will send you back 5 holiday card options that suit your photo. Life just go so much easier. Check it out here!
Looking for more Christmas letter tips? check out this link for even MORE ideas, or click the image below to be taken to a post with tips for writing an entertaining letter!
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Looking for more Christmas letter ideas?!
Sarah says
I love READING Christmas letters and always intend to write and send one, but never end up getting one done… this year I’m aiming for an electronic document that’s not quite a letter but more than a card… we’ll see how successful I am :)
Mel Caldicott says
This is a great post, Paula. I must admit the show-off type of Christmas letters do irk me (as do the similar kinds of Facebook posts!) Thanks for pointing out the value of hearing the news of our friends and some great tips about keeping them real.
Blessings
Mel
Leigh Anne says
You inspired me to do a fun one this year. Here is what I came up with for our family. The rhythm isn’t perfect, but I think it works. What do you think?
Twas a Mullins Family 2013
Twas two thousand thirteen in the Mullins family,
and surprise, surprise, there came another baby.
Morgan Pearl was born on a warm May evening,
7 pounds 14 ounces of pure joy and blessing.
The Mullins children snuggle her and love her it seams,
While visions of sleep mama does day dream.
While daddy and mama have lots of love in their lap,
They cant help but dream of a long restful nap!
Madison will be four come mid December,
She can hop scotch and peddle her bike, she is quite limber!
She loves princesses, coloring, twirling and dancing.
Don’t get in her way while she is riding or prancing!
Max loves playing ball and making a mess just so.
He is two and a half wouldn’t you know.
But, just when mama has had enough of the mess,
He comes running to give her a big wet kiss!
With 2 and a half year old Millie, so feisty and strong willed,
She keeps mama on her toes, but also love her heart filled!
So rapid and quick Millie wants to play,
She potty trained herself, in diapers she would not stay!
With Madison! With Millie! With Morgan and Max!
With Daddy and Mommy! These are the facts:
To the top of the house, to the top of the wall,
This house is full, every room, one and all!
Like a good man daddy works hard running MCCI,
Just trying to get his little piece of the pie.
He loves golfing and hunting and driving the kids in his truck,
He’s perfecting his game, and waiting patiently for that buck!
Mama stays home with all of the kids,
Taking care of the house and all that it’s needs.
For all her hard work, not a penny she makes,
But payment in all the hugs and kisses she takes.
So, sending you blessings and Jesus’ Grace,
Hopefully in two thousand fourteen we will see your face.
You are welcome to visit, or write or call,
May the Love of the Lord be on you all!
Paula says
That is amazing!!! I am so impressed! Great job :)
amy says
over from Kelly’s Korner! great great list!!
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark says
I do a letter almost every year now especially because we have lived in different countries and they are to go to people I do see often but we still like to keep up with and want to hear about them as well.
I always intend to get it started by the start of November so that I can finish it by the end of the month to get off to far flung places in time but I always procrastinate as well. However in the end I always enjoy the final product and then enjoy reading the ones from others over Christmas.
Dropping in from Titus 2 Tuesdays blog hop.
Alicia says
Hey Paula! I’ll be co-hosting a Christmas blog hop starting THIS Friday and I hope you’ll come by and link up all of your great Christmas posts. I always enjoy them :-)