Devin Dornbrock I can’t be the only one whose mom asked year after year to add a personal note to the Christmas cards, birthday cards, and basically any kind of holiday card she was sending out. And I also can’t be the only one who sat there wondering what to say, how much I needed to write, and what words I could scribble down to get it over with already. So let’s talk about how to write a holiday card.
Think About Who and What It’s For
The hardest part for me about writing a holiday card is always getting started. It gets a bit easier once you’re writing it, but staring at the blank space can feel a little intimidating. If you’re having a hard time starting off, it never hurts to wish them well for the holiday again.
Wishing them a happy birthday, a merry Christmas, etc., can help get the ball rolling and the writing juices flowing. If you’re not sure where to go next, it’s time to think about the person you’re writing to. Think about what has been going on in their life recently or anything that may be coming up soon. Maybe they just graduated or are soon to start a new job. Write about something relevant to them, especially things they may want to look back on fondly.
Depending on how close you are to the person or the last time you spent with them, you may still have difficulty coming up with something to write. In that case, think back to a significant moment you shared with them and why you remember it. Anything that can show them you’re thinking about them and that they’re meaningful in your life.
Let Them Know You Appreciate Them & Why
Holiday cards with handwritten notes in them are always the most memorable, especially if those handwritten notes include heartfelt words of appreciation. That is why I personally use holiday cards as an opportunity to share those words that may not otherwise be said often enough.
Telling someone you appreciate them and why can sometimes be as (if not more) meaningful than giving them a present. To me, it has always meant a lot to hear how the people I care about view me and what our relationship means to them. Putting your appreciation and affection into words and writing them down can also give the person you’re writing to a physical memento. It’s like a second present if it’s a gift-giving holiday.
Even if you’ve said everything you feel like you need to, you can also choose a specific example to focus on. Write an anecdote about when they helped you with your homework or made you laugh after a breakup. You can tell them how much it meant to you back then and now and take up some blank card space by reminiscing.
It may be awkward at first, but with some practice, you can start writing holiday cards that will bring people to tears. In a good way, of course!
You’re Never Too Old for a Handmade Card
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I genuinely believe no one is too old to make a holiday card. In my neck of the woods, the average greeting card can cost upwards of $6.00. In this economy? I don’t think so! Not when I can grab some plain ol’ printer paper, wish them a good holiday, write a heartfelt note, and it basically is the same thing. If you’re really feeling fancy, you can print out a nice graphic and just write your note around it to have basically the same effect.
As an adult, I still resort to homemade cards for many occasions. They’re cheaper and more convenient, and as an adult, I can make them look a bit nicer than your average six-year-olds.
Hand-making a holiday card can also reflect more thought and effort into the gift, making it a win-win. Plus, handmade cards are always more memorable anyway. I, for one, don’t remember 99% of the generic Hallmark cards I’ve gotten over the years. However, I can still remember the totally janky-looking ones made with lined paper that I got back in high school.
If you don’t believe me, it’s been documented that people almost always underestimate how much handwritten notes mean to the person they’re giving them to.
How Long Should a Holiday Card Be?
My general rule of thumb is that the amount you write can roughly correspond to how close you are to the intended recipient. Your parents and dear friends should probably get at least a small paragraph, while extended family and passing acquaintances probably don’t need more than a few sentences.
No matter what you write about or how much you write, if you’re struggling with how to write a holiday card, the important thing is to try. You’ll figure it out as you go, and you can remember that no matter what you write. It will probably mean more to the person you’re writing to than you think.
Looking for more holiday help? Check out our blog on dealing with holiday stress!
