A Christmas Letter Tutorial

Here’s the annual Christmas letter tutorial!

I’ve written about Christmas letters often over the years.

They’re one of my favorite parts of Christmas.

I’m struggling a little this year and may have to delay sending the letter until New Year’s.

We’ve got some significant events to tell our friends and the answer isn’t here yet.

In the meantime, I’m circling around what I know, wondering how to explain and hoping intuition will strike soon.

You don’t have to be like me.

Here are six Christmas letter tutorial tips.

1. Remember to whom you’re writing the Christmas letter.

I mail about 100 Christmas cards and letters each year to friends and family.

Many of them are also my Facebook friends, so there won’t be many surprises.

But many are military friends whom we don’t see very often.

We lived in each other’s pockets for several years, through the highs and lows of submarine deployments and other agonies.

Some taught my kids in Sunday school or served as their scout leaders.

I want to know about their kids and I assume they’ll want to know about mine.

So, I tailor the letter to them.

2. Hit the highlights for your family simply.

The people who want to know all the details will call or write.

Each of my four children gets their own paragraph.

Half my kids are married with children and their paragraph is long!

I just tell what they’re doing, where they live and anything noteworthy.

We have several noteworthy events this year so I may have to use a small font!

3. Include photos!

I feel cheated if I don’t see what everybody looks like!

That’s why my letter may seem a little cluttered as I place photos throughout it.

I try to have one large family photo, but the kids are so cute!

You know your friends better than I do!

4. Be careful with sad news.

This is always so tricky.

When significant deaths occur–like my parents whom many friends knew–I feel an obligation to tell them.

But I need to be careful how I place that news.

My friends and family who care about me want to know about that sadness.

I tend to put it toward the end of the letter and then finish with a positive paragraph.

I’m willing to consider other ideas.

5. State what you’re thankful for this year

Be careful not to brag–I’d never mention a new car, though I do need to provide a new address if we move.

I learn toward the intangibles–our family, friends, visits, books, Jesus.

I want my friends to be smiling when they get to the end.

6. If you have business news to share–say you’re a writer?

Use another page.

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