Seasonal Felicitations: The Art of Writing a Christmas Letter

            Christmas is coming, folks! It's time to get some paper and pens because we are going to write letters. I am without question a traditionalist because I thoroughly enjoy both writing and receiving letters. Letter-writing was an important form of communication for many centuries. It is one part of past society that I do not wish to give up. A card is always nice, but there is something about a letter that makes it seem extra special to me. A letter is such a unique way to communicate with others, especially for the holidays. It forces a pause as you take the time to write. It is symbolic of what the receiver means to you because you took that time to write those words. This week, I am going to be sharing some tips and ideas for you to use as you write letters to your friends and family this season.

            Before you begin writing, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make your letter better. The first is to avoid trite expressions and cliches as much as possible. You mustn't just put words on a page for the sake of filling it. Using filler words defeats the purpose of writing a letter. This message should be, in some ways, similar to having a face-to-face conversation with the person. It should mean something for both of you. Rambling about everything that pops into your head or stringing together overused holiday phrases does nothing for you or the receiver. The letter should communicate whatever it is that you want the reader to know. The Christmas cheer you're sharing means more if you stay on point and don't stray into trivial topics that are not part of that point.

            It also helps if you shut off the mental editor. The length of the letter and the grammar does not matter. Remember, the message of your letter is more important than the length of it. If you cannot stop yourself from editing while you write, I suggest writing a draft before making the actual letter. In actuality, I would advise everyone to start with a draft. It makes it so much easier to decide what you want to say without the pressure of it being a final decision.

            Now it is time to start writing. Often, it can be very hard to get that first word onto the page. The following are some ideas that will hopefully get you started with your holiday letters. My first suggestion is to be reflective. Write about the past year. What has changed? Did something good happen over the past year? You can think about your relationship with the receiver. What do they mean to you? What would you say to them if you were with them right now? Is there something you wish they knew or would take away from the past year? As you answer these questions you might be able to see the beginnings of a letter forming. Christmastime is good for all those deeper thoughts as you face the end of another year. It can also make you more appreciative of people and circumstances.

            If you don't want to venture into overly emotional writing, you can take a more conversational approach. Treat this letter similarly to the way you would treat any other letter. Talk about whatever you want to tell the recipient the same way you would in a conversation with them. Of course, this letter is supposed to be for the holidays. You can always decorate it by having a conversation about the holidays and what you both have happening in your lives. Write about holiday plans or what you would like your holiday season to be like. Ask the receiver about their holidays and the traditions they will be keeping. You can mention memories of past holidays and what about them you hope will carry on into the approaching season.

            There are many more ideas out there that one can find on the internet. You can also look at different books, movies, and songs for inspiration. I found several hours worth of enjoyment looking at Victorian Era books about correspondence. Just be certain that you give credit where it is due when quoting so that it doesn't appear that they are your words. The possibilities are endless which is something that I have always liked about writing letters. I can say what I want without all the noise. I feel like I have better chances of being heard because it is simply my words on a page without any other added nonsense.

            I hope these tips and ideas get you started as you write letters this holiday season. It can be just as enjoyable to write these letters as it is to receive one. Besides, you can brighten people’s day by making sure there is something worth receiving in their mail. A letter can be a nice change of pace and a very pleasant surprise. Happy writing to all of you! For those of you who celebrate it, I hope you have a lovely Santa Lucia Day.