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Step 1
Limit it to One Page - While you may be tempted to review the entire year in detail, you are sure to put family and friends to sleep after the first page. A concise, single-spaced page is all you need to fill everyone in on the highlights of your year.
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Step 2
Follow a Theme - Was this a year of new adventures? Or did the kid's accomplishments highlight your year? Think of a common thread for the letter and run with it. Try to focus on only a few important events so you don't overwhelm people with too much information.
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Step 3
Include Family Input - Ask your spouse and children to write down one or two events that were important to them during the year so you can include those in the writing of the letter.
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Step 4
Watch the Bragging - Getting a huge raise or landing a great job is news but you will want to limit the amount of boasting you do. Of course family and friends will be happy to hear you are doing fabulous but too much bragging can become tiresome. Focus on one or two great things that have happened and then go on to other topics.
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Step 5
Share positive events and keep the mood light in your family holiday letter.Try to be Positive - Your purpose of a family letter is not to depress everyone with all the bad things that have happened to you throughout the year. While a major death in the family or surgery should be noted, try to keep the other events more cheerful. You want to lift spirits with your holiday letter so people enjoy reading it.
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Step 6
Use Humor - Did something silly happen to you or a family member that you can share? Humor helps keep the letter fun and interesting and off-sets some of the more serious content.
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Step 7
Keep the Layout Simple - Too much clip-art, fanciful borders, or pictures can take away from the actual content. One or two family pictures in among the text are all you really need for an informative and personal family letter.
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Step 8
Share some of the holiday fun you will be having in your Christmas family letter.Don't Forget Holiday Happenings - It is Christmas after all so don't forget to mention a few holiday plans or events. Are the children in a school play? Do you all plan to go on a sled ride? Include fun holiday events to keep the flavor of the season alive in your letter.
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Step 9
Add a Personal Handwritten Note - With everything so impersonal these days it is nice to add a handwritten line or two at the bottom of each letter that is targeted directly to the reader. It will take a little more time but a personal note will make each recipient feel special.
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Step 10
Be Yourself - The most important thing to remember when writing a Christmas letter is to be yourself. Use a relaxed tone and don't worry about whether or not the letter is perfect. Family and friends are just happy to be included in your life and appreciate hearing from you during the holiday season.
Comments
phantomsrose05 said
on 12/14/2009 Very true tips. Lol. I chuckled when you stated in the 1st step to limit yourself to 1 page to avoid putting family members to sleep. Great job! 5! =)
srbd said
on 12/11/2009 Loved it - especially reminding people to include a handwritten personal note!
dplumber said
on 12/11/2009 Just finished my Christmas letter for this year. Good tips on How to Write a Memorable Family Christmas Letter. Staying focused is hardest thing for me. Thanks
osusanna44 said
on 12/10/2009 Great article on How to Write a Memorable Family Christmas Letter! Just got one today from a family member that was 3 LONGGGG pages! Wish they'd have read your article! LOL Thanks for the tips and guidelines! 5 *****s
mboone84 said
on 11/22/2009 Great article on How to Write a Memorable Family Christmas Letter