How to Write a Memorable Holiday Newsletter
Seasons Greetings That Reflect Joys of the Holidays and Year Past
Sep 23, 2009 Diana Lambdin Meyer
Dear Abby, Ann Landers and newspaper columnists, bloggers and radio talk shows have debated the merits of Christmas newsletters for years to no resolve. But with a little ingenuity, creativity and planning, a holiday newsletter can become a welcomed communication device during the holidays, a family tradition and documentation of family milestones.
Holiday Traditions Should Include Holiday Letter:
Get the entire family involved. This shouldn't become a chore for just one family member, particularly mom who is probably doing much of the decorating, baking, shopping and gift wrapping already.
Several weeks in advance, long before December 1, start talking about ideas for the holiday newsletter. Ask everyone in the family what was their favorite memory or activity of the year. Ask for input on what pictures might be included and if there is any sensitive subject or issues not to be communicated. It's a great communication activity, particularly with teenagers.
One Wisconsin family has the tradition of requiring each person to write a paragraph about their year. Include a paragraph from the family pet as well. Then find a time for the entire family to sit down and address envelops by hand, making sure that new friends, neighbors and family members are added to the mailing list.
Dos and Don'ts of Holiday Newsletters:
- DO NOT begin with the line "It's hard to believe Christmas is here again" or "I can't believe another year is drawing to a close." Blah, blah. Boring, boring.
- DO NOT single-space and make black and white copies. With so many colorful options in paper from craft stores, scrapbooking outlets and local print centers, along with fonts and inks available on home computers and the ability to insert digital photos, there is no reason for boring black and white newsletters during what is otherwise the most colorful joyous season of the year. However, if budgets require just black and white, consider having younger children color borders or images of the paper.
- DO NOT share every detail of a surgery, home remodel, divorce or similar painful events.
- DO consider creating a theme, such as sports, music, or pop culture. Example: One holiday letter used famous quotes from movies to introduce family happenings in the last year. When one child attended space camp, the paragraph began with the bold letters "Houston, we have a problem." The exploits of a family vacation parodied lines from National Lampoon's Family Vacation, assigning roles to Cousin Eddy, Clark and even the security guard at Wally World played by John Candy.
- DO attempt to be upbeat and positive. Every one has bad news to share, but don't let it set the tone for the entire letter. Everyone has something to be thankful for, especially at the holidays.
- Do be cautious of rose-colored glasses. No one believes that every child earns straight As, every marriage is perfect, every job is without challenges and every volunteer is a saint.
- DO get started early. Visit scrapbooking and craft stores for ideas. Save Christmas letters from others that were entertaining and informative.
- DO be considerate of other faiths and cultures or those facing critical situations. A separate greeting may be appropriate for some.
- DO save several copies of the family newsletter as a sort of album, diary or documention of the years past.
DO remember to have a happy holiday season.
Holiday newsletters need not be boring.
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