• Home
  • About
    • Our Family
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Christmas Letters
    • Other FAQ’s
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Flanders Family Homelife

Living, Loving, & Learning Together

  • Home
  • Love
    • Respect your Husband
    • Love your Wife
    • Keep the Peace
    • Get Along with In-laws
    • Find Time for Intimacy
    • More on Marriage
  • Learn
    • Why Homeschool? Our Family’s Reasons
    • Occupying Toddlers
    • Kindergarten Plan
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Report Cards
    • High School Transcripts
    • CLEP/ Dual Credit
    • High School Diplomas
  • Parent
    • Tips on Potty Training
    • Wipe Out Whining
    • Stop Sibling Squabbles
    • Chore Assignments
    • Computer TIme
    • Adult Children at Home
  • Eat
    • Breakfasts
    • Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main DIshes
    • Desserts
  • Celebrate
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Summer Vacation
    • Independence Day
    • Back to School
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Save
    • Kids Eat Free
    • Budgeting Tips
    • Secrets to Garage Saling Success
    • Earn Cash Back w/Ebates
  • Read
    • Recent Reads
    • Books We’ve Authored
    • Reading Rewards
    • Free Books!!
  • Travel
    • Vacation Planning
    • We Flew FREE to Europe
    • Sample Itineraries
  • Organize
    • General Tips
    • Goal Setting
    • Mom’s Notebook
    • Kitchen
    • Bedrooms
    • Toys
    • Garage
  • Print
    • Calendars
    • Chore Charts
    • Coloring Pages
    • Math Drills
    • Prayer Guides
    • View All >
You are here: Home / Holidays / Christmas / How to Write a Christmas Letter (with Samples)

in Christmas· Holidays

How to Write a Christmas Letter (with Samples)

132shares

How to Write a Christmas Letter (with patterns, samples, templates, etc) from www.flandersfamily.infoI love all the extra mail the month of December brings with it. It’s fun to open all the pretty Christmas cards and see the family photos, but I especially enjoy reading the newsy letters that are often included.

If you’ve ever thought about sending such a letter to your own friends and family at Christmastime, but haven’t known where to start, this post is for you! In it you’ll find

  1. Samples – Pick a style that suits your family’s personality!
  2. Patterns – Follow any given example to create a letter all your own.
  3. Stationery – Print out our papers out to make it pretty.
  4. Encouragement – Writing Christmas letters is a great way to record your family history; it’s one holiday tradition you’ll be glad you adopted!


If one sample doesn’t suit you, just scroll down — the next one may be perfect. Lengths vary from a few phrases to a few pages. Some may feel too short, other may seem too long, but keep looking, and (like Goldilocks) you’ll eventually find one that is just right!

  • Month-by-Month Christmas Letter

    This is the pattern I’ve followed for 27 years now. I’ll be posting this year’s letter on this blog in a few more days, but you can follow this link to read samples of our Christmas letters from previous years.

    Basically, I just pen a paragraph for each month, detailing the highlights of our year. Since we usually mail our Christmas letters over Thanksgiving weekend, my month-by-month account usually runs from December of the previous year through November of the current year (rather than January through December).

    I don’t actually begin writing my letter until October or November, but I make myself notes of what I want to include by using my daily calendar as a micro-journal and by keeping a “Christmas Letter” file in Evernote (which syncs between my phone and computer) for writing down reminders that will jog my memory when the time comes to write.

    Since I pack a lot of information into these letters, they are consistently four pages long. Keep in mind that I’m writing about fourteen people, though (and that’s just our immediate family — now we’ve added five grandsons to the mix, as well). If your family is much smaller, your letter will probably be much shorter.

    I print them on plain white copy paper, two double-sided sheets, and mail them in embellished (more on that later this week), self-sealing business envelopes, along with a 4×6 copy of our most recent family photo (which I order through Shutterfly for 9-cents each). Here’s how the first page of this year’s letter looks:

Another sample of an annual Christmas Letter

Glad Tidings Banner

  • Person-by-Person Christmas Letter

    If trying to arrange things in chronological order stresses you out, you might want to use the person-by-person pattern instead. Devote one paragraph to each member of the family and describe the highlights of the year from that person’s perspective. If your children are old enough, you might even ask each of them to pen their own paragraph, then string them all together to make your family’s annual update.

    Here’s a sample of what this kind of letter might look like (click on the image below to download the pretty, manger scene stationery):

Sample of a Person-to-Person Christmas Letter (with free printable stationery from www.flandersfamily.info)

  • Christmas-themed Acrostic Update

    This is the pattern my sister has always followed, and I love it! She’s a school teacher, so her acrostic usually has an overarching theme, with an introductory “C” paragraph and a closing “S” paragraph, but that’s just her meticulous personality shining through.

    You can easily adapt this acrostic pattern to suit your own style, and even change the vertical word to something besides “CHRISTMAS” if you’d prefer. It’s short and to the point, but packs a lot of information in those few brief paragraphs. Here’s what it looks like in print (click on image below to download free printable stationery):

Sample Acrostic Christmas Letter, with free printable stationery from www.flandersfamily.info

  • Multiple Choice “Quiz” Christmas Letter

    Of all the Christmas letters our family receives each year, one of our favorites to read is from some friends who write their letter like a multiple choice pop quiz.

    “It’s 4 AM and somebody is screaming. Is it (a) baby, who still hasn’t learned to sleep through the night, although she has finally moved to her own crib, after eight months in bed with Mom and Dad. (b) Mom and Dad, who were rudely awakened when a pipe burst upstairs and unexpectedly dumped a ton of cold water on them in their sleep. (c) Beau, who woke up in the night for a drink of water and saw what looked like an alien standing on top of the barn and looking in her window. (d) Rebekah, whose pet squirrel — the one she’s been feeding every two hours around the clock — just broke her heart by dying of pneumonia. Would you believe God sent a replacement within 24 hours?”

    Each paragraph details what’s going on at a different time of day:

    “It’s 8 AM, and someone is rushing out the door…”

    “It’s 10 AM, and someone is dancing for joy…”

    “It’s 12 PM, and somebody’s feeling nervous…”

    And so it continues, front and back of a double-sided print on red or green colored paper. And the answer is always the same: all of the above. (To download a copy of our holly-bordered stationery in black & white, click on the sample letter below)

Multiple Choice Christmas Letter (Sample)

  • Bullet Pointed Christmas Postcard

    We have a few friends who are able to pack a whole year’s worth of news into a few bullet points. Their updates are so brief, in fact, that they fit on the back of a postcard — which also saves on postage.

    You can include photos on the back along with the brief update (option 1 below) if you plan to mail them in envelopes, or choose a two text box layout and leave the right side blank (option 2) if you want to mail them as postcards.

    Here’s what that sort of card might look like, with samples of both printing options for the back. This particular design is one of the hundreds available at Shutterfly (affiliate link):

Frontside
postcard sized Christmas Update (Sample) -- if you do bullet points to one side, you can address the other and mail with reduced postage.

Backside (Option 1)
Screen Shot 2014-12-04 at 7.57.59 AM

Backside (Option 2)

Using photo cards as post cards to save on postage

However you choose to do it, I do hope you’ll make sending annual updates a part of your routine — but don’t feel like you have to send them at Christmas. We have friends that send their yearly letters out before Thanksgiving, and others whose updates don’t roll in until New Year’s, Valentine’s, or even Easter.

The important thing is that you take time to write down your family’s history. When and with whom you share it once it’s written is entirely up to you.

132shares

2 Comments

« Christmas Letters: Why, What, and How to Write
Our Christmas Card Assembly Line »

Comments

  1. https://www.symbaloo.com says

    October 31, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    Hello to all, because I am genuinely keen of reading this weblog’s post to be updated regularly.
    It contains good information.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 50 Fun Things for Your Family to Do this Christmas - Flanders Family Homelife says:
    April 15, 2020 at 6:04 am

    […] starting ASAP, and include a newsy update (For patterns, templates, and how-to suggestions, check out this post). It’s so much fun to go back and read through your old Christmas letters as a family. We do […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

meet the parents

Doug & Jennifer Flanders - www.flandersfamily.info

We love Jesus, love each other, love our 12 children, and love the life God's given us. We started this blog as a way to share resources with others who want strong marriages, happy families, & healthy homes.

Read more

looking for something?

freebies in your inbox

Subscribe for immediate access to our library of 350+ free printable resources.

connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

most popular posts this week

  • Armor of God Coloring Page
  • Fruit of the Spirit Coloring Page
  • Number Writing Practice Sheet (Free Printable)
  • Free Chart for Keeping Track of Medications
  • One-Year Bible Reading Plan
  • Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • 2021 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • Free Editable High School Transcript Template
  • Pretty Printable Scripture Bookmarks
  • Homeschool Report Cards

unleash your child’s creativity

free starter set

free starter set from Grove

Readers' Favorites

Name that Line - Christmas Movie Game

Name that Line Christmas Quiz

Shares: 23073

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols?

Shares: 26323

Age-Appropriate Children's Chore Chart - IG

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Shares: 92529

Make Every Month More Meaningful

Make Every Month More Memorable

Shares: 50664

start your day right

make over your mornings

If your mornings don't run as smoothly as you'd like, this course can help. Good for night owls & early birds alike!

join the conversation

  • Jennifer Flanders on Conversation Starters for Thanksgiving
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printables
  • Jennifer Flanders on Conversation Starters for Thanksgiving
  • Jennifer Flanders on Remembering Reformation Day
  • Jennifer Flanders on Remembering Reformation Day
  • Jennifer Flanders on Mailbag: Scripture Copywork in Manuscript
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printable Home Health Care Chart
  • Jennifer Flanders on How to Write a Thank You Note

earn free books and bibles

Tyndale Rewards Club

This is a great program, and it's FREE! Bonus: when you sign up through this link, you get 25 points (& I get 10 -- so, thanks!).

Christian Family Blogs
  • Home
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Freebies

visit jennifer’s blog

Jennifer Flanders' Blog: Loving Life At Home Loving Life at Home

visit doug’s blog

Doug Flanders' Blog: All Truth Is God's Truth All Truth is God's Truth

privacy policy | disclosure statement

shop our books

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
Sit Down & Eat Get Up & Go

thanks for dropping by

Thank you for visiting our website Let's Get Social
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

looking for something?

recommended resources

as seen on:

America Tonight ABC Australia BBC Tyler Morning Telegraph

My kids have been giving me grief lately because, My kids have been giving me grief lately because, apparently, their father and I “both had the same haircut” when we were little.  Their giddy laughter is motivating me to up-to-date their scrapbooks, so my grandkids can someday poke fun at how funny their parents looked and dressed growing up, too.  #tbt #whatgoesaroundcomesaround #webothfeltstylishatthetime
“An encouraging word cheers a person up”...and “An encouraging word cheers a person up”...and so does an afternoon picnic by a secluded stream.  #familypicnic #cheeseandcrackers
Enjoying sunshine and spring blossoms at the Arbor Enjoying sunshine and spring blossoms at the Arboretum. #dallasblooms #flandersfamilytravels
On this day 34 years ago, Doug asked me to marry h On this day 34 years ago, Doug asked me to marry him, and I said YES — one of the very best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.  I thought he was the absolute best back then, but he’s somehow managed to get better and better with every passing year. And the love, appreciation, and respect I feel for him continues to grow deeper, broader, and higher every day, as well.  #tbt #everydaywithyoudear #issweeterthanthedaybefore #happilyeverafter #thehoneymoonisstillnotover
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re celebrating wit Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re celebrating with our traditional green cuisine.  #flandersfamilyeats
Ben introduced us to a great new (to us) park toni Ben introduced us to a great new (to us) park tonight. The kids will all be ready for bed tonight after playing so hard.
For moistest and most flavorful roast you’ll ev For moistest and most flavorful roast  you’ll ever eat, brown both sides of the meat, then lay it in the bottom of a crockpot on a slice of onion to lift it off the surface. Sprinkle with 1 pkg Ranch mix and 1 pkg Au Jus Gravy mix, lay a stick of butter on top, and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Super easy and delicious!  I cook potatoes and carrots in the same pot and serve with dinner rolls and a salad. Yum!  #flandersfamilyeats
All aboard! I’m so glad I kept a good supply of All aboard!  I’m so glad I kept a good supply of the classic toys my kids used to love, even after they outgrew them, because now they’re delighting a whole new generation of grandkids.  Considering the fact our train sets had already been enjoyed by somebody else’s children when I bought them secondhand for my own little ones decades ago, I’d say they’ve served their purpose well (and are still going strong).  What kind of classic playthings will/did you keep for future generations to enjoy? Anything you got rid of and later wished you hadn’t?  #briotrains #atrainrunsacrossthistrack #redcabooseattheback #classictoys
Oops! I forgot to post this one here when I first Oops! I forgot to post this one here when I first published it on my blog on March 1. But there are still plenty of special days this month to celebrate. Click on the link in my profile to download free resources related to many of them.  #makeeverymonthmorememorable
Homemade tamales. Yum. 🫔 #newskills #alwaysle Homemade tamales. Yum. 🫔  #newskills #alwayslearning #flandersfamilyeats

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316

132shares