Writing a Holiday Newsletter

How to Write a Merry Christmas or Hanukkah Letter from Your Family

Oct 12, 2007

Do your friends and relatives look forward to your annual family newsletter, or open the envelope with dread? Here's how to write one that people will appreciate.

Holiday newsletters-- useful and fun, or annoying? These photocopied family newsletters have become a popular way to express Christmas and Hanukkah greetings as an alternative to the traditional Christmas card, but some of them are more fun to read than others. On the one hand, it's nice to hear how Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Glenn are doing because you don't see them very often. On the other hand, Aunt Bertha's four page discussion about what she's been knitting is a real snooze fest, and Uncle Norton's thinly veiled diatribe about Aunt Bertha is not appropriate.

So how do you write a holiday newsletter that your family and friends will appreciate? Here are some tips to help you share the news about your family without being annoying, offensive, or otherwise unpleasant.

DO keep it short. People are busy. A page is a good length, and two pages maximum is a good rule.
DO discuss major events instead of ones of little significance. People will be excited to hear that your daughter is graduating from high school and sad to hear that your mother-in-law has cancer. But they don't care about your bumper zucchini crop.
DON'T brag excessively. It's perfectly appropriate to share your accomplishments over the past year, but don't overdo it.
DO talk about your kids and grandkids. That's what people really want to know. And don't worry--when you're talking about kids, it's okay to brag a little!
DO talk about your kids and grandkids equally. Say a little something nice about everybody or you risk some seriously hurt feelings.
DON'T sugarcoat your life. People don't expect your family to be the Brady Bunch, so keep it real. Go ahead and mention your dog's death or your son's divorce. No, you don't have to tell people about your hemorrhoids or your brother's DUI, but you also don't have to feign perfection..
DON'T make snide remarks about family members. Ever.
DON'T reveal secrets that aren't yours to reveal. Your daughter's getting married and doesn't want to spread the word yet? Your cousin just told you he's gay? Keep it to yourself.
DO be mindful about what you say about politics and other sensitive issues. Family newsletters often go out to a diverse mix of people, and not all of them see the world like you do. Save the diatribes about George W. Bush or Hillary Clinton for a private conversation. This doesn't mean you need to avoid these issues, but keep in mind who will be receiving the letter.
DON'T email your holiday newsletter. Yes, it's a green idea, but people really do like holiday mail. (You can always used recycled paper.) Besides, the older people on your list might not have email.
DO proofread. No, it's not a formal manuscript, but nobody likes typos.
DO hand-write a short personal note on each newsletter--or at least on some of them. People really appreciate that you took the time to think of them. A note from a child will be especially appreciated.
DO wish people a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, or whatever you want. This has become such a sensitive issue that you're bound to offend someone, so say what you feel. If you want to be as inclusive as possible, a greeting such as "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyful holiday season to all," might do the trick.