<p>We got a card this year from H’s cousin that had preprinted signatures, computer address labels, and sticker return address labels. I am sure that took a lot of effort.</p>
<p>I love the Christmas letters and always have. Fifty-some years ago we used to get one from a cousin of my mother’s that would have been perfect on CC. Her kids were all models of excellence. Maybe that’s why I love reading CC; it reminds me of Christmas past.</p>
<p>I like that I can sort of personalize my message using the computer. Even those years that I can’t find enough positive, interesting things to say, I at least send a picture of the S. I guess that will stop when he goes off to college unless I can sneak it in the envelopes when he isn’t looking.</p>
<p>Been sending them since the 21 year old was 5; not always on time. One year, I sent a New year greeting, and I’ve even sent it for St. Patrick’s day one particularly chaotic time.</p>
<p>I like them. I’ve only sent them out once or twice but usually do a photo card every year. </p>
<p>One year I did something that ended up being fun, and everybody liked it. I did it on our photo card but it could easily be done in a bigger size on paper and fit quite a lot on. It’s just arranging small phrases in the shape of a Christmas tree. It gives just a summary of things to tell how the year went without going into a lot of detail.</p>
<p>Things like Tommy started college at Ohio State, John is in his 17th year of teaching, Grandma Lulu passed away in July, etc. It was challenging to arrange it so the lines came out right but that was part of the fun and it turned out there was always a way to word something creatively that would “fit” right.</p>
<p>Here is a link to an example I found online if you want to see what I mean. Hers is too small to read, at least on my computer, but you can see the point:</p>
<p>As you see on hers, there are stars on various parts of the tree. A star or similar shape can be added at the start of every sentence and that makes it decorative. Add a star at the top, and you could write “2009” sideways at the bottom for the tree trunk and add whatever details you want. Kind of cute!</p>
<p>I’m a commercial real estate lawyer and this year has been the suckiest in 24 years of practice (and we all thought nothing could be worse than 1992.) I may skip the paragraph on myself entirely or just say, “thank the Lord I still have a job.”</p>
<p>I like them and I hate them. I have one aunt who lists every single month and what she did that month. It’s boring. And another aunt who writes about her husband’s grandchildren and I have no idea what she’s talking about. But I do like reading them regardless and it lets you know what has been going on in people’s lives that you really don’t keep in good touch with. I wrote one once. It ended up being the bragging kind and I didn’t like it at all. Maybe one day I’ll figure out how to do it and try again. But what I really, really hate are the e-mailed ones. Write me a letter, type it on a computer, sign your name in real ink and actually stick it in a card and mail it to me. Please don’t send a mass e-mail. That’s called “spam.”</p>
<p>Missypie - well, at least you DO know they are alive.</p>
<p>I have an elderly woman who considers me her “daughter.” She has always been blunt, and age has not changed her. A couple of years ago she sent out cards to people with the message that it was the last card she would be sending, they were too much trouble, and she just wanted them not to wonder if she died when they didn’t receive on from her.</p>
<p>She told me what she had done, but then was a little troubled by how all of these people WERE going to know she died. No problem - she gave me her xmas list. I didn’t ask if I had to do an immediate mailing when she passed away or if I was to wait until the holidays and send a holiday greeting and PS Milly died!</p>
<p>Two years ago, I started sending an “annual letter” and picture…via email. It will happen again this year. To be honest…I love getting cards and pictures but I don’t need to get them in the mail. So…I’ll email mine again this year. It’s very short…just the basics about where we all are and what we are doing. Picture the last two years was of the kids only…but this year we have one of all four of us. </p>
<p>I agree…very bad news should not come in a holiday card as a surprise.</p>
<p>I love reading them. One friend sends a “newspaper” type format that is LOL funny. </p>
<p>My best friend from HS always sends a very nice (and long) letter. Some people might be put off by it as 1.) she and her H are VERY religious and 2). it seems to have only good things to say about her family. But you know what? This is a person I have known since elementary school and she really and truly is one of the nicest people I know. Neither she nor her H had any money growing up but they have worked very hard to prosper and are very thankful for all that they have and give a lot to others. She is a beautiful person inside and out (still great looking in her 50’s). I am happy for them and their family.</p>
<p>As for myself, I tried to do holiday letters a few times but I am just not a very good writer and my family and I are well, boring. So I don’t write them.</p>
<p>We don’t put together a holiday letter. But I like to read them as long as they are not bragging letters from my H’s company’s president describing their new $2M mansion (1995 prices) complete with wine cellar and indoor swimming pool (to provide PT for their arthritic dog), their little Sally’s new pony farm, their month-long trip to Australia, etc. all this happening while the company was going belly up financially.</p>
<p>I love them, even the braggy ones. We get one every year from a colleague of my H. The wife is a professional writer, they travel a lot, and hers is quite braggy. I also have someone in my family who writes a very, um, shall we say accomplishment-filled letter that is rather humorous to me, since I know all the backstory. The most brag-filled letter I used to read came from my high-school boyfriend and his wife, who sent the letter to my mom. That one was a month-by-month litany of accomplishments and acquisitions.</p>
<p>I always send one b/c it takes too long to write out 30-40 cards individually. Two years ago I did a photo montage with little notes by the photos. </p>
<p>A younger friend of mine with two children writes a Top Ten list for her Christmas letter. It’s always funny and light-hearted and short. That’s a format that anyone could use.</p>
<p>I started with the family photo card 20+ years ago when we moved several hundred miles. It seemed a good way to stay in touch; as the kids grew I began the letter and I wrote it with the audience of far away aunts/uncles type of family in mind. I really did not want it to be braggy, but did not focus on a lot of negatives either. After a while I decided it was just too sincere, so we have made the effort to be amusing and more self-deprecating over the past several years, hopefully it worked.</p>
<p>As the kids get older and move farther away, there is a ral struggle to get every one in the same place for a photo, this year we had one evening all year with all of us- and the picture is poorly exposed, no great options and not much kid cooperation. I think if we continue we will go with Brady Brunch style in the future.</p>
<p>I do receive one which is very junior league perfect and we do all make fun of them, but that writer is very much that way, with the perky upbeat outlook. I have an ill parent and wrote a personal note in a few cards to people who might want to know that person is not long for this world, yet I did not want to put it in the actual letter!</p>
<p>As we moved again, we added more people to the list, too.</p>
<p>Best letter I ever received was written by a family dog. In that family, everyone took turns writing the letter. It was the dog’s turn and written from his perspective. Quite amusing.</p>
<p>I love getting them, even the really boring ones. One of my friends now has her 13 year old write the letter - it’s a stitch. Ours is what ever fits on a computer sized card which always includes some sort of photo of us and a page with greetings, so it’s very short. Just a few sentences about each of us and maybe some general observations. Last year we had so many pictures of us fooling around with S2’s hat collection that we had even less room for news than usual.</p>
<p>I do enjoy some of the letters, especially the humorous ones, but they are few and far between. Most are pretty awful. I guess that puts me in the dread column. I’ve never sent them on my end, either. Would rather pick up the phone and call or write someone individually. </p>
<p>However, as someone else suggested what is bragging for one person might just be the sharing of news category for another. I have a friend who travels the globe along with her H (who travels for business) constantly - mentioning the places she has visited is like someone else telling a friend they went to the movies last weekend. I think what can distinguish in that situation is how sensitive one is to the sensibilities of others. Sometimes (not talking about holiday letters, necessarily) that can be a hard thing to balance. What would be more appropriate to a one on one, personal conversation (where tone of voice can help convey lack of pretension) can seem a lot more braggy in a mass mailed news fest. For those who are in the middle of some pretty tough times ( that’s a LOT of people these days), it can be tough to read almost anyone else’s good news.</p>
<p>But, if someone is the type to support, nurture and celebrate their friends, it’s generally a reciprocal thing. Sometimes I think the real problem is that people misjudge the nature of their relationships and the good will that they enjoy within the context of those relationships. They can also misjudge the other way around - thinking that people will not want to be there or hear about the bad times. Funny thing about fate and fortune, though - the person who has it all today may not have it tomorrow and vice versa. True friends are special, though - the kind who you love to hear good news from and about and with whom you share the less than good news as well. I just prefer to do it in a more one on one kind of way.</p>
<p>roshke, the braggy letters I taked about were mass mailings from the president’s wife to all personnel in the company. This was the guy who did not even remember people’s first names and never said “hi” when running into employees in the hallways; to send a Christmas letter telling those employees about all those wonderful things his family did was beyond tacky, especially after he ran the ship into the ground (and later bailed out with a gold parachute).</p>
<p>My husband started writing a letter when we lived overseas for 2 years, and has kept it up, although usually goes out between 12/25 and 1/1. Always self-deprecating and humorous, and people tell me they enjoy it. One year he used Cat Stevens songs to describe what each family member did that year. The responses that year were “Huh?”. </p>
<p>We do enjoy reading them, so please keep sending them! I love the picture ones, too.</p>
<p>We moved a great distance from family when our kids were quite young. Letters from us have been much like MOWC’s…(this year, we’ll probably note that DS made it One Whole Week before his first run in with the Dean of Discipline–and we’ll be praying that Senioritis will not sink the ship) light, humorous. </p>
<p>The letters we’ve received from back East are kept and added to each year. This (and a few glasses of Christmas cheer) provides much amusement and entertainment when
my SIL & BIL join us Christmas day. We usually are ROFLOL reading about Cousin Martha’s bursitis, Uncle Bob’s tractor pull wins, Aunt Marie’s bratty grandkids’ achievements and Cousin Tom’s political manifesto. We’ve cut and pasted a few together – and made our own irreverent letter. Yes, we’re bad…(but it sure is fun). I’ve already received one this year that is a doozy!<br>
Santa will probably be putting coal in my stocking…</p>