Questions
I just posted these questions as my Facebook status:
Do you enjoy receiving family Christmas letters? Or do you find them annoying? What if they come with a photo?
I had certain plans for this year, but now I’m second guessing myself! Please help! Comment!!
November 18th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
You would not believe some of the letters we get..people telling us about their daughters being beautiful angles in the program at church. That’s when I begin to wonder if they are right angles, acute, or obtuse. Then they go on to tell all that God has accomplished through them. Your letters are nothing like that, and I truly enjoy reading them. It makes a huge difference if the letter and the layout are well planned and concise, rather than rambling on about nothing in particular.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I personally find them annoying. But a photo does make them slightly more tolerable.
But that’s just me. 
November 19th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Here’s my dilemma. Most of our friends live far away from us. We have many friends in other states and countries and are often too busy to keep in touch. As many of you know, things change rapidly in our family. In any given year, we’ve often added another member to our clan.
Personally, as much as I enjoy any piece of mail that’s NOT a bill, I like letters (and / or photos) better than just a card with the person’s name signed. I want to know what’s been going on with them. “Is Phil still in the US Marshall service?” “Did Betsy leave nursing to have another baby?” “Are the Smiths on the mission field now?” It’s not that I’m nosy… I just like keeping current with busy families!
The last several years I’ve sent out a letter with a photo. I’ve tried to mention the highlights of the past year but also keep it fun and lighthearted. I try not to mention root canals, colonoscopies, and the like, but I do admit to explaining a miscarriage (I knew everyone would wonder how we were having Baby E, having skipped over Baby D.) Because we have so many children, I try to give a small insight into how each child is different, without making them sound perfect!
I had planned to do something similar this year, but now I’m wondering. I LOVE reading people’s Christmas letters, but maybe I’m just weird!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I see the kids quite often but still really enjoy the letters. I would enjoy getting an update on people in their Christmas cards but few do anymore than sign them. I am often one of those people. Sometimes I don’t even sign them, Charlie is very good at signing them and sending them out for me.
Nana
November 21st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I personally love to get pictures and letters from people at Christmas. I am totally disorganized and never quite manage to send out letters and pictures although I always intend to. Since most people I get letters from do not live close, I enjoy hearing (and seeing) from them.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
WE enjoy newsy letters, especially yours, Christa. I keep them all. I’m such a pack rat. It is fun to look back and remember. Time has a way of dimming my memory. However, as we grow a bit older we are not very exciting. Most the time I insert a half of sheet telling of our two married daughters. Keep it going, it’s up to the people to enjoy or not.