Beauty through imperfection

Encouragement for Parenting, marriage and family life.

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How to write an amazing Christmas letter

It’s not secret, I LOVE writing and receiving Christmas letters. Something about condensing an entire year into one creatively informative letter is just wonderful to me. I always have fun writing ours each year, and really enjoy reading the letters that we receive as well.

These are SUCH good ideas! How to write an entertaining christmas letter (that your family and friends will actually want to read!)

I admit, it is a challenge to write a good Christmas letter, here are some key things to keep in mind when writing.

1. Do it! – That may sound silly, but it’s true! Don’t worry about your letter being the best ever, just write it how you would want to read it and send it out! Reconnect with friends and family this year!

2. Share successes without bragging – Example. This year I “bragged” about my son being able to identify most of the letters of the alphabet by sight and also tell you what sound each letter makes. I immediately followed up my bragging with something like this – “his other talents include: throwing screaming tantrums in public, getting into everything he shouldn’t and making messes”. This way I’m able to honestly communicate something I’m proud of my son for accomplishing this year, while also showing that I’m not trying to say he’s perfect or way better than any other child. 

3. Write in enough details to make the letter interesting and fun to read, but not so many that the letter ends up being about just one event. Example: This year, it was really tempting to include baby girl’s birth story. It was a really funny story (read it here), but writing it  out would take up too much of our letter, so I kept that part to 3 sentences in order to include more details about other things. 

4. Write a bit about your children’s personality – A lot of our family is out of state so each year I try to include a short paragraph about each child’s personality. Not just their likes/dislikes but the type of (little) people they are becoming. I think it is fun to share and (hopefully) fun to read about the kids in that way. 

Creative ideas to help you write an amazing Christmas letter

5. Hand write a short personal note on each letter – This is something I didn’t end up doing last year, but I’m going to try my best to do it this year! Adding that little personal touch to let every one know you are thinking of them individually this year, and not just as part of a “to send” list. I think it makes the letters extra special. 

6. Write in an unexpected way – Instead of writing a monologue of the past year, do it in a creative manner, write a “top 10 list” from the year or write the letter from the perspective of your young child or an imaginary grouchy neighbor. The sky’s the limit! I spend a long time each year contemplating how to write our letter, but doing them in a creative way always makes the writing (and reading!) more fun! I wrote an entire post sharing different ideas to use, if you need help brainstorming be sure it check it out! 

7. – Don’t forget to include a photo! – I make photo cards every year using either shutterfly.com or snapfish.com and mail the newsletter & card together. But even if you don’t make cards, consider printing a 4×6 of your family or kids to include in the letter so that people can see how much they’ve grown. The photo is the best part of the whole thing! (Check out this post for some awesome tips to help you take a great family photo, even with feisty kids!)

8. Keep it to 1 page – The ideal length is 1 page, not too bulky to mail, and honestly, most people won’t have time to read any more than that. Mine typically end up being 1 page front and part of the back too ;)

9. Make it easily skim-able – 1 large “paragraph” of text is not easy to read or skim. Break the letter up a little using photos or different  headings to make it easy to read (/skim). A lot of people “speed read” Christmas letters, skipping over what they know, and then take the time to focus on parts they want to hear more about make this easy by using proper paragraphs in your letter.

10. Send a photo – 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! 

Need to save money on Christmas this year? How to have a FREE Christmas! 

how to have a free christmas

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 Looking for more Christmas letter ideas?!

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Paula

Young wife, mama, author, blogger, encourager, friend. Lover of hot weather. Lover of travel. Accomplished chocolate eater. Proud Hufflepuff.

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Comments

  4. I love this! I’ve always thought about writing one but never really knew what to write (even though I receive several a year…weird, I know). I may just get around to writing one this year!

    Reply

  5. I think writing letters to friends and family is one of the best gifts to give. Most people truly do appreciate the time and sentiment behind a well written letter. I still have pen pals, and I have included a letter opener as a gift for a few of the ones I write frequently. I think your tips are fantastic, and I think I may try a “top 10 list” in my letter this year. I also agree that making them personal really gives it more sentimental value. Thanks for the share!

    Reply

  7. I am going to get started on mine right away so I’ll have them ready to mail in Dec.
    Thanks, dear heart, for the great tips….
    Over from Daily cup

    Reply

  9. This is a great guide! One of my aunts used to send a Christmas letter out each year, and my mom loved reading it and catching up on things.

    Thanks so much for sharing this at “The Saturday Spotlight party”!
    Have a great weekend!
    April

    Reply

  10. Paula,
    Fantastic guide! I always seem to end up with writer’s block when it comes time for the Christmas letter!
    Stopping by from the I Gotta Try that Party :)
    – Ang, Juggling Act Mama

    Reply

  11. #2 is my favorite. Hubby just hates those ‘brag letters’ as he calls them. I don’t mind them so much, but some are definitely better than others. One of our neighbors from our neighborhood sent one that they tied each person in their family to a song and wrote a brief statement as to why. For instance, the husbands might be ‘Silver Bells’ because he was starting to turn grey. I know that’s not what his was, but that’s what popped into my head. lol! Anyway, it was just darling and I enjoyed reading it so much! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  12. I have never written one of these letters, but I enjoy getting them from other families. Maybe that is something new that I need to try. Great suggestions for writing one!!

    Reply

  13. Super tips!
    Thanks so much for linking up on Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party. Please take a moment to cast your vote on your favourite link from last week :) I look forward to seeing what you share with us this tomorrow.

    x
    Natalie
    Marigolds’ Loft

    Reply

  17. Great tips, Paula! I tend to write less and let the pictures do the talking. Either way, I look forward to the Christmas letters I receive from friends and family every year!

    Reply

  20. Love that you are encouraging writing letters at Christmas! I love sending out cards any time of year, but you are so right about #1 – Just do it! It can get away from us and before we know it, it is February. Visiting from over at http://www.ritewhileucan.com where I love all things paper and the lost art of letter writing. Found you via Alderberry Hill

    Reply

  22. What a fun post to read. I’ve never written a Christmas letter but love receiving them from friends and family that we don’t keep in super close contact with. These are great tips for getting started. Would you be willing to share this post and any of your other great ones at our Making Monday link party? We would love it and think our readers will, too. Thanks. Have a fantastic week. http://www.abrightandbeautifullife.com/making-monday-12/

    Reply

  23. These are really great tips. I personally love writing and sending Christmas letters.. It is so disappointing to get a card from someone you have not heard from in a long time with absolutely nothing personal on it, not even a quick hello. I am featuring this post today as the Dare to Share Feature of the Day.. :) You can see your feature here. http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2013/11/how-to-write-amazing-christmas-letter.html Thanks so much for linking up!

    Reply

  24. I think my hubby would leave me if I ever wrote a Christmas letter. lol! They are his pet peeve. I really don’t mind reading them and some are very fun. One of my previous neighbors linked each family member to a Christmas song that tied in with what ever they happened to be doing. I thought it was so fun! Hubby won’t read them. Must admit, we have received some that sound like nothing more than a brag fest. Thanks for sharing these tips with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  25. I must admit, I don’t love receiving Christmas letters. I love personalized letters and cards, but so often the Christmas mail winds up being a printout that I receive along with 50 other people that’s not at all warm and especially addressed to me. Maybe I’m a little selfish expecting folks to write out their cards one by one, but to be sincere, that’s what I prefer and what I mail out.

    Reply

    • Update: I missed tip #5. Sorry for the rant. Definitely, definitely make #5 a highlight of the letter this year. Thanks for the tips, Paula.

      Reply

      • No worries, I totally understand, that personalization goes a long way! (though I’m still one that loves to read the letters, even without personalization) ;)

        Reply

  26. I am so bad about writing my own family Christmas letter but it is one of my very favorite things to get in the mail from my friends. I love your amazing tips to make it successful. You are being Featured @ Great Idea Thursday’s :)

    Reply

  27. I love this post. You are the master of Christmas letter writing and I’m the young grasshopper that needs training, haha. I love reading letters. Maybe I should try and encourage all my friends to send the their letters via email so I can still read them :-)

    I’ll be featuring this post for this week’s Merriest Blog Hop party! Thanks so much for linking up AND promoting it!

    Reply

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