How to Send Christmas Cards and Family Letters
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
We hum along at the grocery store when all of a sudden our eyes turn from the post season clementines to the card aisle, now sparkling with Christmas cheer. Why not take a stroll just to see what's there? So we steer our buggies with expert driving to where we find the perfect cards for those we'd love to reach out to this Christmas.
Commercial Christmas cards got their start in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole who sent the following illustrated card to his acquaintances. If you take a close look you can see how he creates awareness for charity with the chosen design. What a lovely idea! Since then, holiday greeting cards evolved from a fast-catching trend to a holiday tradition adopted by families and businesses all over.
Christmas cards are a great way to let loved ones know that you are thinking of them this
holiday season as well as send warm regards to co-workers and business relations, and for such a minimal cost too!
Christmas cards should be personal, warm, and congenial. Here are a few friendly tips:
1) Christmas cards, no matter how wonderful the manufacturer’s message, should include a personal, handwritten message from the sender.
2) The greeting of a Christmas card, if to a couple, may begin with the man or the lady's name first. Christmas cards present a good opportunity to use nicknames as well (i.e. Dear Sarah & Nicky). If including children in the greeting, start with the father's name first, then the mothers, and finally the names of the children according to birth order. Always sign any form of correspondence including your last name. Examples:
From a Single Person
Angela Jones
From a Couple
Joe & Marie Livingston
Marie & Joe Livingston
From the Whole Family
The Livingstons
The Livingstons--Bob, Marry, Joe, and Amber
(Father, mother, children according to birth order)
Leave out any professional or social titles.
3) Write as you would speak the message, leaving out overly formal language that just seems unnatural for you. Authentic is best.
4) It is good to send Christmas cards in early December because it allows friends and family to enjoy your greeting for the whole Christmas season. Isn't is wonderful to surround yourself with the sweet prayers and well-wishes of your loved ones by having Christmas cards on display? Take a look at some creative ways to do just that:
What about family letters?
As we near the end of the year each December it seems only natural to look back and reflect over what has been experienced and accomplished. Since distance often separates families today, an annual family letter sharing the year's highlights has become a tradition for many as a means to keep connected across the continent and around the globe.
Family letters should not exceed one page and should only briefly touch on the highlights such as a recovery from surgery or serious illness, a move to a new place, accomplishments, etc. Do leave out the grueling details of an operation and beware turning the letter into an opportunity for much bragging.
If you're not including your family letter in a card that has a handwritten message inside you should include a handwritten note on the newsletter (across the top is usually the best place). We don't want it to seem like a generic mass-mailing, right?
Take a look at these out-of-the-box family letters:
Happy card sending and Merry Christmas from the Georges!
"And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
-Luke 2:10-11
Many blessings in Christ,
Abigail George
Sources: Wikepedia, Emily Post's Etiquette, and Meg Cabot's Holiday Princess
