5 Cases for “I Can’t Write Christmas Letters” People

Tips for non-writers Christmas letters: how to send paper love the old-fashioned way.
And hopefully, our free Holiday stationery inspire you!

Christmas letters can be a quite heated topic. Some of us love to write them, and look forward to reading everyone else’s. Others groan at the stack of “copy” letters in the card basket and they never get touched. 

The negative reactions and/or amused scorn about the bragging and self-absorbed contents in annual letters can put a damper on attempts to keep in touch. And a person who believes they can’t write letters might chicken out because of that.

So today I want to make a case in favor of Christmas Letters. Particularly, a case for the “I can’t write” people.

Because you can. If you can talk and form letters on paper with a writing instrument, then you are able to write Christmas letters.

Can you believe it really is that simple?

Can I convince you to write Christmas letters?  Probably not.

If it takes over a year of political stumping to elect a president, I’m not really expecting miracles from one little blog post.

But if I can raise a tiny seed of hope in someone who wants to keep up friendships yet has little confidence, I want to try!

Case 1. Christmas Letters are important.

Basically we are pro any hand written (or typed) letters throughout the year.  Christmas letters are part of this lifetime of writing we support.

There would be no history books or Wikipedia History entries if someone somewhere had not written letters or journals.  There is word of mouth, and the Bible is written from the stories handed down from parents to children.

However, in the end it was written down.

My parents’ brothers and sisters used to have huge family reunions that could include up to 300 people.  There was always a table there, filled with memorabilia from our ancestors lives.  One aunt would bring dishes that somehow survived a large clan, an uncle brought old passports, and someone else shared a box of written papers.  Not just letters, but even bills and receipt books.  It was fascinating to sift through the collection.  Grandparents I never knew began to seem like real people I wish I had the chance to know.

If no one had written letters or saved any of this, I wouldn’t know even the little I do.

You may not want to keep old letters,  but some one in your future family tree will be.

Your letters may never end up as written history, but someday they will be valued by someone.

Case 2. Christmas Letters don’t have to be best-seller material.

I’ve read all kinds of Christmas letters.

Some are dry journal entries of personal events from January to December that could just as well be a grocery list.

A cousin wrote about cleaning her medicine cabinet back in April. Yes, in her Christmas letter.

But guess what?  I never forgot that letter and I’ll never forget that cousin.

I know you don’t want to go down in history for cleaning your medicine cabinet.  That’s extreme.

My case is:  Write.  Write, and someone will read it.  Write and it will bring a smile or a tear or a memory to a reader’s heart.

Because your letter will be sent to someone who cares about you, and they will not judge you.  They will read it and think of you and the love you share.  The words likely won’t stick, but the fact that you cared enough to address, stamp and mail a letter will shine through any typos or bad grammar.

Case 3. Christmas Letters don’t have to be long.

One friend always sends her Christmas card with the letter written on the inside the card without the pre-printed message. Sometimes the letter runs over onto the back of the card, too.  In all, though, on a sheet of paper, it wouldn’t be a long letter.  In my opinion, this hand penned note is award worthy.  I love the personal tidbits she saved up to share with only me.

So don’t worry about writing a long letter.  The main thing is to make it personal.

Case 4. Christmas Letters can be whatever you want them to be.

For the people who like special Christmas paper, we have a FREE download so you can create your own  Letter paper, envelopes and return address labels in our original Christmas Angel design.  (Of course, for those who want to purchase a ready made Christmas stationery suite, we’ll be happy to get that to you!)

Matchy matchy is good, but your grandma won’t care at all if you tape your plain white envelope shut with masking tape enclosing a note written on paper you hawked from the last motel you stayed at. It may even end up on her fridge under a magnet, if she’s anything like me.

So if you have time for the special suites, that’s great. But if not, do what you can with what you have.

Case 5. Christmas Letters can include whatever you want them to.

My favorite Christmas letter to receive is a copy-letter for everyone on their list, with a hand written personal PS just for me.

I came across an idea that I might try for next year:

A fun way to collect ideas for your holiday letter is to use a “family blessings jar.” At the start of the new year, set out a jar and every time something good happens or somebody thinks of something they’re thankful for, jot it on a piece of paper and drop it in the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, take out the papers and read them as a family. Include a few of these notes of gratitude in your letter.

learningliftoff.com

Sit down and make a list of things that happened each month of the year.  Pick about 4 or 5 of the events that seem the most important.  No recitation of events from January to December quoted from your journal.  Write about things you experienced, that you learned from or that impacted you.

That’s idealistic, but don’t let it scare you.  Just 4 or 5 things and you’re done.

Don’t write details of your life that belong only to your household.  Most friends don’t care if you spring and fall cleaned your house with eco products only. Well, at least not in a Holiday letter.

They want to hear if a new member was added to your tree by birth or marriage.  And about Junior’s after-school job or Dolly’s first day of kindergarten.

Try to avoid a litany of “we did this” and “bought that” and “went there.” No “I caught x-sized fish” or “my dad is more important than yours.”  (Check out this article to get your head around what I’m saying here. It’s an oldy but goody.)

And now I rest my case.
I’m looking forward to reading all the Christmas letters.

Especially the one from my husband’s client that’s always written by the dog.  I hope that dog doesn’t pass on before his master, or we won’t hear from them anymore. 🙂

Also the letter written each year like “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” rhyming to the familiar beat of that icon. That is talent!

Will you write a Christmas letter this year?
If you’re a non-writer, we hope our tips (or cases) will help you.

PS: Don’t forget to download the free Christmas stationery suite.

Happy writing this Christmas season!