How to Write a Great Yearly Christmas Letter
Five Simple Tips for a Memorable and Entertaining Holiday Note
Oct 3, 2008
The best Christmas letters are easy to read and contain memorable information. They are written well, get to the point, and look nice. Whether sent on their own or tucked in a Christmas card, the letter can be a fun part of the season. Read on to discover the secrets to a great letter and make the most of this fun tradition!
Write It for the Reader
Don’t think of the Christmas letter as a personal memory page. A letter is supposed to inform the reader, not remind the writer somewhere down the line of what happened that year. Think about the recipients and what they would like to hear. What would they find interesting? What would be irrelevant to them? Consider what the recipients would enjoy and focus there.
Hit the Highlights
Too many names and unimportant details will cause the reader’s eyes to glaze over. The key of a well-written Christmas letter is to catch everyone up on life, not put them to sleep or wish they had never opened the mail. Avoid giving an extended blow-by-blow account of everything that happened every week of every month. Choose a couple of the best parts of the year and write about them.
It is okay to include information about something sad or disappointing. Being real is a good thing and most people appreciate honesty. But most people don’t feel the need to know every detail of every major and minor event over the previous year. Give them quality to read, not quantity.
Make It Fun
Add humor. Have the baby write it. Tell it from the perspective of your toddler. Allow the cat or dog to do an exposé on the family. Taking the perspective of a normally non-letter writing member of the family adds a bit of whimsy and will probably draw most people in very quickly.
Choose an appropriate paper design whether it is contemporary, cutesy, country or classic. The easiest way to do this is to choose some of the Christmas stationary available at office supply stores or from online printers. The letter does not have to be elaborately decorated or hand embellished. Although people might enjoy looking at the gorgeous hand trims for five seconds, it is the content they will remember long after Christmas. The letter should look nice, but it doesn't have to have handcrafted elements.
Keep It to One Page
If at all possible, limit it to the front of the page. Definitely do not make it longer than the front and back of an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper. If someone pulls it out of the envelope and feels overwhelmed by the length before even starting, it may never get read at all. Play around with different fonts and point sizes to find what works, but avoiding making it so tiny that people find it difficult to read. It may fit on a page, but if it is a hassle to read, it will never get read.
Proofread It
Proofread the letter, put it away for a day and then proofread it again. Then ask someone else to proofread it and offer feedback. A fresh look at it from a trusted friend will almost always bring about a couple of worthwhile suggestions to make it even better.
Writing a Christmas letter each year is a great way to connect with friends and family. By following some basic guidelines, it is possible to reach across the miles and reconnect with loved ones in a fun, creative and meaningful way.
