Comments on: Ode to obnoxious Christmas newsletters

By: Ann Kroeker

Ann Kroeker — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:59:30 +0000

You inspired me to write a Christmas newsletter this year…but I kept it fairly lean.

I thought about this post of yours a lot when our own Christmas cards and notes started rolling in. We would, for example, receive a photo with no news, and I found that I *did* want to know about that family’s year. Then I’d get the fat one requiring extra postage, and I *did* enjoy reading the grandmother’s long review of every family member’s accomplishments.

So. I tried to strike a healthy balance and offer a few tidbits of the last year.

Then I sent it.

And later…I spotted at least one error.

Talk about humiliating. A writer sends out a Christmas letter with grammatical errors.

Ugh.

By: Humility in Errors « Ann Kroeker

Humility in Errors « Ann Kroeker — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:52:39 +0000

[...] or so ago, I sent out our second-ever family newsletter this year via e-mail. Knowing how much controversy surrounds family Christmas newsletters, I debated with The Belgian Wonder about how much (or little) to [...]

By: Jamie @ ohbecareful.com

Jamie @ ohbecareful.com — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:41:37 +0000

I LOVE Christmas newsletters. I’ve written a couple myself, but haven’t in a while–the holidays just seem to go by at the speed of light. I’m one of those lucky-to-get-cards-out types. (Which reminds me…)

Thanks for sticking up for the good old wordy newsletter.

By: jen

jen — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:59:18 +0000

My husband has done the card for years and I’m still hoping he’ll be able to pull it off again this year. I have a photo card ready to go, but nothing else. I looooove getting the letters, for the same reason. I want to know what’s going on in everyone’s life and love reading them. Maybe I’ll go toss a pen and paper into his hands…
http://www.laughingatchaos.wordpress.com

By: Toni-Lynn

Toni-Lynn — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:15:35 +0000

You have been tagged! (hope you will join in but no obligation!) http://tinyurl.com/5cuax6

By: A mom in the burbs

A mom in the burbs — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:09:12 +0000

I love getting people’s letter’s for the most part! I write one, too. Though this year, I totally stole my friends idea and instead of going through our year, I interviewed the kids (ended up with all of the family answering the questions, except the toddler, but I made up answers for her).

I try to strike a funny, casual tone. I’m not as concise as the Casual Perfectionist (interview with 10 questions and 5 family members answering it took both pages), but I didn’t use tiny font either! Go me!

Here is a little sample for you.
Q:What are you scared of?
9 yo: The things in the ocean and of the dark and of some bad magical creatures. And sharks and snakes.
6 yo: Monsters. Drooly, scary monsters that live under my bed at night and in my closet in the daytime when I can’t see them. [Phew—it’s a good thing we don’t have kids with any imagination! Can you imagine how hard it would be to get them to sleep at night??]
2 yo: Of not having my binky. Or my puppy. Or my polka-dottie blanky.
Hubby: Clowns [Seriously? ‘Cause your sci-fi stuff totally creeps me out…]
Me: That we (separately and as a family) don’t live out our purpose. Oh, and that going to the gym is not going to make any difference in my mid-riff.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:35:29 +0000

I was feeling bad because I’m a Christmas letter slacker. I’ve never done one — too lazy to be bothered.

But then I realize that I subject people to my bragging/health concerns/stories of good fortune ALL YEAR ROUND!

It’s called blogging.

Merry Christmas, Gretchen. From my perfect family to yours.

By: Caloden

Caloden — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:58:30 +0000

Those Christmas letters make me feel like I am one of the bunch. I know I’m not because they were also mailed to 167 other people, but it still feels kinda nice. As far as writing them? I did once. About 7 years ago. In the time since I just haven’t been able to dress up our lives and put glittery holiday stamps all over the borders. But keep ‘em coming!

By: Momma, The Casual Perfectionist

Momma, The Casual Perfectionist — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:10:33 +0000

Hi. I’m Momma, The Casual Perfectionist, and not only love getting newsy holiday letters, I write newsy holiday letters. [I'm pausing here for the "Hi, Momma!"]

BUT, for the record! I keep my letters to one page. The FRONT side, ONLY. And, this year I did NOT use tiny font.

Honest.

~Momma
http://thecasualperfectionist.com

By: Amber Johnson

Amber Johnson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:17:38 +0000

Ahhhh, how comforted I was to read this post! I am the queen of holiday newsletters and have been remiss that I will not be sending mine out this year due to the economic downturn. Of course, my remiss may just be my recipients’ relief.