Tips for Writing Holiday Messages

During this year of disruptions most of us have spent more time than usual avoiding other people and forgoing our favorite activities.  It might be comforting this holiday season to reach out to our business associates, friends and family with a holiday card.  In this age of social media, texting, and email, a physical holiday card with a newsletter or hand written message might be welcome.  If you have been the recipient of bad holiday newsletters in the past you might think a newsletter is the last thing you want to do, but a newsletter or hand written message tucked into a beautiful card would probably be most welcome this year.  Even if the newsletter is obviously sent to others, people will feel more connected to you just for received your special news.  Just the act of mailing a holiday card signals that you took the time to think of them and create a bond during the holidays.  The addition of a message makes it personal. 

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If you decide to sit down and write a holiday message, here are some tips:

1. Be positive – this year has been trying for everyone and we all have had trials and tribulations, but find the bright side.  If you have experienced a loss, focus on the time you were fortunate to have with that person, pet, or job and what you are doing to move forward.  Expressing gratitude is a way to pay it forward.
2. Talk about interests or hobbies – people want to know what you’ve been up to and how you’ve managed to cope with all that has happened this year.  If you have not been able to commute to work on your bike, did you find new neighborhood routes?  Have you taken up maintaining your own bike?   Have you been following the grand classic bike races?  Have you read any good cycling books?  People want to know what you are interested in.
3. Keep it short – get to the point without a lot of fluff.  Keep your newsletter to one page or message to one paragraph so that people will read it all.
4. Don’t brag – no one wants to hear you recount how fast or far you can go on your bike, or how fit you are.  This is especially true if our kids are the smartest and most athletically accomplished.   is the journey, not the result, that makes a story interesting.
5. Cater to your audience – if you are sending a message to a business colleague your message will probably be different from the news you share with a friend or family so adjust accordingly.
6. Mention the whole family – while kids do the darndest things and always have something to report on, don’t let them take up the entire message.  People also want to know what you are doing, so share some of those details as well.
7. Show your style with a beautiful card – during the holidays presentation is just as important as substance.  People feel special when they receive a clever greeting card so select greeting cards designed by an artist or where the proceeds go to a charity.

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