The Holiday Newsletter-Tips For Making It a Great Read

As a writer I feel compelled to produce a good read each holiday season. I can’t help it. Over the years I’ve developed a solid reputation for producing earnest, funny and engaging holiday newsletters. I decided this year to share some of my best tips and ideas to help those of you experiencing writer’s block this time of year.

 

 

Let’s be honest here, how excited are you to receive a front to back sheet of holiday news? People are busy; it’s the holidays remember! And, I need to tough love here, keep the details simple. No one wants to read about your child’s GPA, SAT or AP numbers or how many diamonds the hotel you stayed at in Hawaii ranked. Too much information is, well, too much. Less is more.

 

 

Just the facts ma’am. Consider the important ones (like when both boys took 1st place in their divisions at the Pinewood Derby back in 2003) or the special ones ( like when we adopted a puppy in 2008 because the carpet doesn’t really matter anyway).

 

But more than facts, I think what people most enjoy reading about is your real life, not just the special, brag-worthy highlights. After all, life isn’t a picnic everyday. In 2005 I copied the calendar for December and filled in our schedule for the entire month. I included a few photos and marked holiday traditions (like the Christmas Eve church service). It gave me a way to show what we were doing- business travel, music lessons, writing class and the football awards ceremony at a glance. People could see how we lived.

 

Our 2008 holiday video accomplished the same goal. Each family member contributed one sentence stating where he or she was at in life. Stevie Wonder’s “Someday At Christmas” played in the background, while holiday snap shots rolled across the screen. The video was a big hit, but not everyone had access to it. Some of the older generation family members missed it altogether.

 

 

Some years are harder than others and when you get to holiday newsletter time you think you either have nothing to say or you don’t feel like you want to say anything. I understand that, but you can still pull off a great holiday message. In 2004 I was a burnt out mess. I felt like a crappy juggler in a three-ring circus. Rather than fight the feeling, I embraced it and made a circus themed newsletter, complete with three rings filled with photos, an elephant sticker and the line From our Big Top to yours. 

 

Last year had its own ups and downs, so I made a Naughty and Nice list that showcased some of our challenges along with our triumphs. 

 

In both situations I shared the truth without it being a downer. 

 

 

As a writer, I’m supposed to be conscious of my audience at all times. Our holiday newsletter will arrive in the midst of the busiest time of year and most of the recipients can use laugh or two.

 

To this end, I always include some joke about our pets and their shedding and carpet damaging tactics. I make us the butt of jokes whenever possible. In 2007 I made an iPod playlist and listed Sexyback as one of the songs for The Better Half, who was working out at the time. It was funny and factual. 

 

Think you’re not creative? Use a tried and true formula. I made a David Letterman style Top Ten list in 2003- Top Ten Reasons To Read Our Holiday Newsletter. Number One? You have no other suitable reading material in the bathroom.

 

I’ve also rewritten Twas the Night Before Christmas. That one ran long (front & back) but was fun to write. Think of all the holiday stories and songs you could use. 

 

 

Worry about how you look in the photo. We’re all getting older. This goes back to honesty. Don’t avoid it by sending just a snapshot of your kids (BFF are you listening?) send a family photo, please.

 

 

Send holiday cards, photo cards and/or newsletters. In this busy electronic age, I think the personal touch of sending a greeting someone can hold in his or her hand is worth its weight in gold.

 

Enjoy the cards you receive and think about or pray for the person who sent it to you.