Tips For Sending The Best Christmas Letter Ever!

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Do you write an annual Christmas letter or send Christmas cards?  I know that for some people, writing a family Christmas letter feels like a chore and others feel like sending a letter at Christmas is just too old fashioned especially with the use of social media and instant updates.  However, I LOVE sending and receiving Christmas letters and cards!  I've even kept many of the Christmas cards and letters that I've received from family and friends from Christmases past.  Whether you're new to sending Christmas letters or are looking for ways to rejuvenate that same old Christmas letter that goes out every year, here are some tips for sending memorable Christmas letters and cards.

Tips for letters

1.  Take the pressure off of yourself to send the perfect card and letter.  It doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate.  The receiver will appreciate that you thought of them.

2.  Edit, edit, edit!  It's not necessary to mention every single thing you and your family did during the year.  Stick to the highlights, otherwise your letter will sound more like a list or a monologue.  Keep the letter to one page and highlight the main points of the year rather than giving detailed accounts.  Edit your letter for correct spelling and grammar.  Have someone else read it if needed.

3.  Keep it positive.  Keep things light and fun.  Avoid mentioning sensitive topics such as political views.  (Yes, I've received Christmas letters that have included political views and opinions!)

4.  Avoid cliches like "This year has certainly flown by!" or "I can't believe it's this time of year already!" 

5.  Don't use a small or very elaborate font and don't try to squeeze everything onto one page.  Doing so makes the letter difficult to read.  Use an easy to read font in size 12, certainly no smaller than size 10 and edit your letter so that it fits comfortably on one page without being too wordy.

6.  If your letter still has a lot of text, break up the text with pictures.  Use pictures sparingly and make them big enough to see.

This format works well when you want to 

highlight individual family members. 

7. Be creative with the style of your letter.  Make it look like a real newsletter by creating a title, headlines, and articles about things that have happened during the year.

This format works well if you want to 

highlight specific events.

8.  Think outside the box.  Your letter doesn't have to be a letter at all.  One of my favorite letters I sent one year was a multiple choice quiz about our family for that year with questions on one side and answers on the back.  You could also do a list format such as "Top Ten Places Traveled" or "Top Ten Best Moments of the Year."  Consider writing from a different perspective.  How would your pet or a new baby describe the year?

9. If writing just isn't your thing, send a few well chosen pictures with a short caption under each one.  You could also send a poem.  Here's one of my favorite Christmas poems:

10.  Be sure to sign your letter to add a personal touch.

Tips for cards

1. Sending a personalized Christmas card can enhance your letter.  Consider personalizing your card with a favorite travel or family photo.

2.  When taking a family photo, you don't have to spend a lot of time or money on pictures taken at a professional photographer's studio.  You can take pictures of your family at home.  If you have a friend who's good at photography, ask them to help you out.  You can also use favorite pictures that were taken during the year.

3.  Use your pictures to customize your holiday cards at CafePress.  CafePress makes it really easy to send unique and personalized holiday cards. Quickly and easily change color theme, event info and photos on thousands of holiday invitations! Only at CafePress.  Not only does CafePress have custom Christmas cards, they also have party invitations and custom Christmas invitations.  Be sure to check out their personalized gifts that make great holiday presents!

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