Is writing your annual holiday letter a chore? Do you worry it lacks a certain flair? Try these tips for writing a letter your family will look forward to reading.
1. Start with a catchy opening. Grab the attention of your reader from the beginning. You can use an interesting anecdote, a surprising fact, or a funny incident that happened during the year.
2. Share your highlights. People are interested in your life and what you’ve been up to. Share highlights of your year, such as a promotion at work, a new hobby, or a fun vacation you took.
3. Use pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words, so use them to your advantage. Give your readers a glimpse into your life with funny or poignant images.
4. Be honest and authentic. Don’t try to paint a picture-perfect life if that’s not the case. Be honest and authentic about the challenges you faced during the year and how you overcame them, but don’t overshare.
5. Keep it short and sweet. While you want to share your highlights, be mindful of not making your letter too long. Focus on the most important highlights of the year.
6. Grammar matters. Make sure you address the names on your envelope correctly. Plurals get tricky, so here are examples: If the recipients’ last name is Smith, your card should say The Smiths. If the last name is Jones, your card should say The Joneses. If it is Church, your card should say The Churches. There is no scenario that uses an apostrophe to make the name plural.