A personal Christmas card for every family member and loved one has become a holiday tradition for many. The end-of-the-year holiday letter is also often used to stay in touch with distant friends and update them on life’s events. However, sending out personal Christmas cards amidst all the other holiday to-dos can often be stressful. Here are a few guidelines to consider to maintain holiday letter etiquette.
Christmas Greeting Cards, Word Processed Letters, or Holiday Emails?
A handwritten letter lovingly tailored to its recipient ranks at the top of the letter scale. The recipient will know that time and care was put into the letter, and cherish it all the more. However, such letters are very time consuming and letter senders may be tempted to word process their letters or send out a bulk email. Judith Martin writes in her 2005 book Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior that an individualized email is equivalent to a standard handwritten Christmas Greeting.
The key to choosing between personal Christmas cards and bulk holiday emails is understanding the recipient. Some folks are more tech-savvy or accepting of a bulk letter than others. Ultimately this is a personal decision – maybe Grandma deserves a handwritten card while the co-workers from two jobs ago deserve an email.
Choosing a Winter Holiday Card or Christian Christmas Card
Winter holiday cards and e-cards come in a variety of designs with snowflakes, Santas, and Christmas trees adorning the covers – but remember to be sensitive to the recipient when choosing a holiday card. Christian friends will happily receive Christian Christmas cards however it would be insensitive to send such a card to a non-Christian friend. According to Marjabelle Young Stewart in her book The New Etiquette: Real Manners for Real People in Real Situations non-religious friends can be sent a holiday card conveying a message of peace and love.
How to Address and Sign a Christmas Card
According to Marjabelle Young Stewart, no one is obliged to send Christmas cards, and who receives a Christmas card is up to personal preference. Some people send them to every acquaintance and business contact while others reserve Christmas cards for loved ones only. When sending a Christmas letter to a family, make sure to address each family member: mother, father, and each child. Best wishes can be sent on behalf of a spouse and it is fine to sign a spouse’s name or the children’s name on their behalf.
Life Events to Include in the Christmas Letter
Many Christmas cards will simply send on Christmas greetings and perhaps a holiday family photo. If a Christmas card is to include a letter summarizing the year be sure to personalize the letter for the recipient. Miss Manners notes that it is inappropriate to write a standard letter for everybody if recipients don’t know family members referenced in the letter or have already heard an anecdote told within the letter. Stewart also emphasizes the importance of personalizing these letters. If the letter is going out to many acquaintances she suggests only covering major life events and avoiding trivia.
Other articles to enjoy: The Best Christmas Quotes for Holiday Cards
Megan Jungwi - Megan Jungwi started her freelance writing career in March 2009. Although new to online writing Megan has long been passionate about the ...
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