Creative Christmas Letters

We write a creative Christmas letter to go out with our picture every year to let our family and friends know what's going on in our lives. Here are some ideas to help your Christmas letters stand out.

My mom is a very creative lady and every Christmas when we were growing up she would send out a cute Christmas letter to accompany our picture in a Christmas card. I have continued the tradition because I guess I just like to make life more complicated. . . . well actually I enjoy it. I enjoy thinking of a clever/cheesy/ridiculous way to share what's been going on in our lives.

Here are a bunch of creative ideas to help you write your Christmas card letter this year: 

1. Write a letter to santa

Write a letter for Santa asking for things that will help in your families activities from the year. For example "Dear Santa, This year Maren would really love a new violin; she's wearing hers out with all the performances and practicing!"


2. Write a haiku for each child

Seriously. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that's part of the fun of writing Cheesy Christmas letters. A Haiku (in case you don't remember from school) has a line of 5 syllables, then a line of 7 syllables, then a line of 5 syllables. And they're kind of fun to write. For example:

Joshua's Haiku:

piano playing
early morn' trumpet blowing
where are my earplugs?


3. Dictionary

We did this one a few years ago and people really liked it. Check out this post about our family dictionary. 

4. Newspaper

Make your family letter like a newspaper, with different sections for sports, education, politics, the Arts, and classifieds. A very fun way to present a card.

5. Doll family

Pretend your family is being packaged as a doll family. What sort of accessories would you come with? Check out our Doll Family Christmas Letter from a few years ago.

6. Cancelled Christmas letter

This was probably the easiest letter to write. We listed all the reasons our family was too busy to write a Christmas letter that year, and let people know it was cancelled. People really enjoyed it. Read the full Cancelled Christmas letter in this old post.

7. Candidates

During an election year, you can present your family as political candidates up for election. Check out our Candidates Christmas letter post from several years back.

8. Recipe

What makes  up your family? Write a recipe for each of your family members. Read more about this idea in our Recipe Christmas Card blog post from a few years ago.

9. Top 10 list

What are the top 10 things that happened to your family this year? Write about what's going on.

10. Multiple choice quiz

See how well your friends and family have been following your lives. Write up a clever multiple choice quiz just for fun. For example:

Christopher has recently started:

a. piano lessons
b. chewing with his mouth closed
c. reading voraciously
d. basketball
e. all of the above except b

11. Poetry form

Some of you might be clever enough to pull this off. I am not a great poet, but maybe I'll make Jason write one someday. I have a poetic family though. One year my brother Greg wrote a great poem for a family Christmas letter that makes me laugh. Here is a snippet of the beginning and end:

It's that time of year when the Smith's get together
And rattle their brains for the new Christmas letter
Marty said "Let's do a cross-word puzzle"
The rest said "That's stupid" and put on his muzzle
Fighting ensued until Liz bellowed "Stuff it,
We'll tell all our tales in trite rhyming couplets."
The stanza's aren't good, they're not worth five pence
They reek with abuse of artistic license
Read on for enlightenment all about us
Verbatim veracity of all last year's stuff.

(here there was a stanza on each of the family members)

Well that's about it for the Smith Family update
We hope this bad poem doesn't ruin your holiday
Have a good year, and please keep in touch
And feel good inside 'cause we love you so . . .
. . . next year we'll just send you a stupid crossword puzzle.

12. A Crossword puzzle

Of course, right? Give clues and let people fill in a crossword puzzle, because Marty's idea wasn't that stupid.

13. Family Holiday Songbook

One year when I was in college my mom called me and told me I was responsible for creating new words to a Christmas song for their Christmas letter that year. Each child was supposed to do their own. They compiled them in a "Smith Family Songbook" and mailed it out to friends. Crazy, huh? And actually, my youngest brother John got out of doing one and my mom just did it for him, because that's what happens when you're the baby of the family. I'd share mine as an example, but it's just a bit too embarrassing.

14. Police photos

Make a wanted poster. What "criminal activities" has your family been up to? For example:

Wanted: Nathan (5), for excessive laughing and cuteness, snitching fruit snacks, and reading above his age level. Take precaution when apprehending - suspect has fierce ninja moves and carries lots of swordlike objects.

15. Superhero Family

What super powers does your family have? What's the name of your Super Team? What heroic things have you done this year? What evil have you conquered? There's lots of possibilities with this one.

16. Year By The Numbers

Write a list of numbers and why they represent your family this year. For example:

2 - children at public school this year
5 - the number of teeth Christopher has lost
150 - the number of books Maren read this summer
etc . . .

17. Write it from the baby's/child's/pet's/neighbor's point of view

How would your baby/child/pet/neighbor describe your year?

18. "Which Family Member are You?" Quiz

This one invited our friends and family to discover which one of us they were most like by answering some questions. Read more about our Creative Christmas Quiz.

That's all for now. I will add more as I think of them. I haven't put in the Christmas Letter I'm doing this year because I want it to be a surprise . . .

Unique Christmas Cards - The Doll Family

On the years we get around to sending out Christmas Cards, we also like to send out a letter about things our family has done the past year.  Typically, we try to think of some unusual presentation of the facts. I think this year's theme was probably the most ridiculous one yet.

My original idea hit me one night while I was lying in bed.  I thought "wouldn't it be funny to send out a blank piece of paper with just a QR code on it that people would scan to be taken to a video card or something?" I laughed at myself as I fell asleep, because sometimes I just think I'm hilarious.  When I shared the idea with Jason a few days later, he mostly liked it, except for the fact that a lot of people we send cards to probably don't have scanners on their phones or know what a QR code is.  We then decided we should present ourselves as some sort of product, since usually you see QR codes on product packaging or advertisements.  Hence we became a family of dolls, which came with accessories from things we did during the year.

We started with a picture of us posing as dolls.  The title at the top had our family name in bold letters with "2012 limited edition" to the side.  Around the picture were captions that said things like "New and Improved (not)", "Same Characters, New Home!" and "They're the dolls you love to make fun of".  To the side of the picture we had the QR code with the words "Scan this QR code for more product information" and the code took them to the "Family Highlights 2012" video I posted a couple of weeks ago on the blog.

I couldn't figure out how to get the whole card on here, but here's some of the text from it:

You will love playing with this brand new set of dolls!! Dolls come packaged in their beautiful new home. Each doll speaks its own catchy catchphrase and comes with several accessories from 2012 for minutes of pretend play fun!!!!! 

Accessories include:

Jason (old):

• certificate of recognition for completing his fellowship
• sports equipment to play with his kids outside
• books to help him complete his Masters in Public Health
• UK championship T-shirt 

Catchphrase:

“Is it morning already? Again?”

Erin (ageless):

• choir folders 
• computer so she can work on her blog and other projects while ignoring kids
• homeschooling books

• extra set of eyes in the back of her head

Catchphrase:

“I am not a garbage can.”

Maren (age 10, 4th grade):

• a new backpack to take to her new performing arts school! 
• a violin, a piano, and a sewing machine
• report card with all As
• “Who” outfit from Seussical Jr. performance last spring
• Actually Cries! (just add teasing)

Catchphrase:

“Do you have any new books for me?”

Joshua (age 8, 2nd grade):

• a piano 
• basketball, soccer ball, baseball, and gymnastics mats
• “Max the dog” costume from “Seussical Jr.” performance
• hammer and nails for building things
• baptism outfit for end of December

Catchphrase:

“I barely touched him!”

Christopher (age 5 3/4, K):

• all sorts of sports equipment 
• TV and Wii
• Walking boot for his left foot to help heal from Kohler’s disease

• puzzles, which he is very good at putting together
• bendable arms clasp together for real hugging action!

Catchphrase:

“That’s too hard.”

Nathan (age 3 1/4):

• rulers that can be both swords and drumsticks
• pens and crayons for drawing on walls, floors, and furniture
• toys from his brothers’ and sister’s rooms
• Really Poops! (everywhere but in the potty)

Catchphrase:

“Can I have a cheese stick?”

For other ridiculous Christmas Card ideas, click here.

Unique Christmas Cards - Dictionary

 New Unabridged* 2011 Dictionary

Fully Revised and Updated

Al-ba-ni-a (al bã nē ə), n. 1. a republic in S. Europe. 2. a country Jason, Erin, Maren, and Joshua visited in April to see Grandma and Grandpa before they completed their 3 year mission there in June.  3. a  place where good toilets are scarce.

Chris-to-pher (kris tə fər), n. a 4 year old boy in preschool who plays soccer, has an endearing smile, loves to cuddle, loves to watch TV shows, and is learning to read. see also: snuggle puppy. 

- v.  to scream with a loud voice in the middle of the night because your foot hurts.  (ie. I hope he doesn’t Christopher tonight so we can get some sleep

 - adj. loveable, cute, and huggable. (ie. That is the most christopher puppy I’ve ever seen!)

Er-in (prin ses), n. 1. an incredibly patient woman. 2. a woman who enjoys homeschooling her children, singing in the Lexington Chamber Chorale, and posting things on her blog (see chickenbabies.blogspot.com). 3. a thing which that woman must do to help the household run smoothly (think groceries, soccer practices, music lessons, etc. . . ) and which occupies much time (ie. she needs to go run some erins).

huh (hu), interj. 1. used as an exclamation of surprise, bewilderment, or disbelief. 2. What Erin said in November when they asked her to serve at church as the Relief Society President.

Ja-son (gūf bol), n. 1. a hard working husband and father. 2. one who spent most of the year serving the youth at church in the stake young men’s presidency, and is now teaching sunday school 3. a person who is almost done with subspecialty training at age 35 (if you don’t count the Masters of Public Health he is slowly working on as he finishes up his fellowship).

 - v. 1. to cheer enthusiastically for every UK basketball game. 2.  to hate any team named after a cardinal.

Josh-u-a (josh ū ə), n. 1. a 7 year old boy in 1st grade who plays many sports and loves them all.  2.  a self-proclaimed math wiz.  3. a boy who loves gymnastics and is constantly upside down.  

- v. to  play the piano several times a day without prompting because you just love it that much.  

Le-To-Mo (lə tō mō), n. an annual bike ride from Lexington to Morehead which first took place in November of 2011 and was biked by Jason, his father, and his brother.

Mar-en (mer ən), n. - 1. a 9 year old girl in 3rd grade who enjoys reading. 2. a girl who loves acting and music, sings in a children’s choir, and plays the piano and violin. 3. a girl who got braces on her top teeth this year 4. one who thinks she knows everything

- syn.  stubborn, intelligent, creative.

Na-than (nā thən), n.  a 2 year old boy who enjoys causing chaos, singing twinkle twinkle, watching the wiggles, and eating snacks. 

- adj. word used to describe any object that can be used as a guitar, such as blocks, spoons, toothbrushes, spatulas, and books. 

- v. to play on the iPad surreptitiously (ie. “Where is that boy?” “Oh, he’s just Nathaning again.” )

o-ver-joyed (ō vər joid), adj. 1. feeling great joy or delight 2. How we feel when we think of the birth of our Savior, the blessings God has given us, of family and friends, health and opportunities,  and especially the knowledge of the gospel and the atonement.  

We-wish-you-a-Mer-ry-Christ-mas (wē wish ū ə mer rē kris məs), phrase. 1. and a Happy New Year

*Actually, extremely abridged

Creative Christmas Cards - Cancelled

In 2008, I was feeling too busy to think of anything clever to do for a Christmas letter, so I decided to cancel it.  We sent out this letter letting everyone know they weren't going to get one this year.

Notice of Cancellation

To: family and friends                 

Re:  Family Christmas Letter

Dear loved ones,

      Due to the busy holiday season and other events, and after much thought and tribulation, our family has decided to cancel our Christmas letter this year.  

       Jason has little enough time to read all the content on espn. com, let alone write a christmas letter.  And then there is work to go to, and UK games to watch, and woodworking projects to dream about, so he definitely does not have time.

  Maren, our precocious 6 year old, is busy with homeschool Kindergarten and all the work that comes with it.  She loves to read her books and can’t spare the time to sit down and write about the ballet, violin, and piano lessons she’s been taking this year, or about the 4 teeth that she has lost.  She would much rather play with her dolls, read her books, wrestle with her brothers, and do lots of crafts than write about any of that stuff.  

Joshua, who just turned 4, can’t hold still long enough to write about the gymnastics class he started this year.  He is too busy cartwheeling and doing headstands on the couch to tell you all about how he was on his first soccer team this fall, and now shares his father’s passion for sports, especially the Kentucky Wildcats.  No, he can’t write a Christmas letter this year.  He’s too busy playing the Wii,  scoring touchdowns in the backyard or playing “hockeybud” up in his room (one of the many sports he has invented).  

Christopher, who will be 2 in February, would probably love to write the Christmas letter, because it would mean he could pound on the keyboard, and he loves playing with anything that is not actually supposed to be a toy.  However, nobody would understand that the random numbers and letters were trying to tell you about how adorable he is, and how he has a wonderful smile that often gets him out of trouble, which he gets into pretty easily these days. 

And as for me (Erin), I am swamped with projects and activities that make it impossible for me to sit down and think of some clever way to tell you about our family’s activities this year.  I’ve got a house to clean, laundry, meals to prepare, children to take care of, Chamber Chorale to attend, homeschooling lessons to plan, and chauffering to do.  But I didn’t want all of you to be expecting a card, and so I knew I had to at least write and explain that even though we would love to tell you about our lives, and how grateful we are for all God has blessed us with,  and wish you all a Merry Christmas, we just didn’t have time this year.  Perhaps next year . . .

Love, 

Us

Unique Christmas Cards - The Candidates

Christmas 2007

Last pre-election year, when there was all the buzz about who was running for president (2007? I think) I sent out a Christmas letter outlining some lesser known candidates - us.  Here is my letter, minus a bunch of the details, because I don't want you to get too bored reading it:

As we enter an election year, we’d like to introduce you to a few candidates the media has somehow overlooked.

 

Jason – Labor Party

         Jason labors to support his family all day. He is a wonderful father who loves to pillow fight and tickle his children.  If elected, he will push for Health Care reforms, more funding for UK basketball, better pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, and more time at home with his beautiful and talented wife.  Although he is currently a member of the Labor party, in 2 1/2 more years he is hoping to join the Green party.

 

Erin – Monarchy

         Erin was briefly a member of the Labor party in February (yay baby Christopher!), but has decided that to best control things, democracy should be overthrown and a monarchy established, with her as Queen.   If elected, she will be a just and magnanimous ruler, who will see to it that all her subjects are well educated, have lots of books to read, and are musically trained.  

 

Maren- Independent

         Maren is a very independent 5 year old. She learned to read this year and has started doing her chores without help.  If elected, Maren will enjoy all the attention and demand that everyone in her presence look at her at all times.  She will also change the flag to include pictures of the Disney princesses.

 

Joshua – Opposition Party

         Although Joshua officially completed the Terrible Twos on December 6th of this year, he still hasn’t fully embraced his three-ness.  He is a very sweet boy who can be very darling and affectionate, but if he is opposed to something, he will let you know, especially at “nap” time.  We probably should call it “kick the door, climb and jump off furniture, sing songs really loud, and throw things at the wall” time.  He is very good at throwing things, singing, eating lengthy meals, writing the letter “H”, and pushing his sister’s buttons.  If elected, Joshua will push for more game playing and for changing all meal times to snack times. 

 

Christopher – Undecided

         Christopher is now 10 months old, and doesn’t say much, so we don’t really know what kind of a candidate he will be.  He is very happy and easygoing and gets really excited when people talk to him, although the exuberance of his older siblings sometimes frightens him.  Judging by his behavior, we can say that if elected he will push for more books, fewer naps and more milk.  

 

Even if you choose to vote for one of the more well known candidates in the upcoming elections, know that we still love you and wish you the best for the upcoming year!

Unique Christmas Cards - The Recipe

Merry Christmas!

I always like to write some kind of cheesy yearly update letter to send out with our family photo at this time of year.  It's my mother's fault.  She would always come up with fun ways to share our family news with others.

Back in 2006, I wrote a recipe for our family's year that was really clever, if I do say so myself.  I can't find it anywhere.  Luckily, my sister copied me and wrote a recipe for their family the next year, and for some reason I do have hers, although I apparently didn't save mine.  Weird.

I'll just share a bit of hers, so you get the idea.

At the top of the page, you have something like :

Recipe for a great 2007!

Then you write out a separate recipe for each person in your family, such as:

Peter:
1 cup employment
1 cup playtime with kiddos
3 family camping trips
2 dozen Candy Cane JoJo's

Andrew:

4 cups kindness
3 cups silliness
sprinkle of cayenne pepper
1 lb. each reading, sports, art, wii, piano, preschool
set aside for 50 minutes quiet time each day to reduce volatility

Then after you've written a recipe for everyone, you write something like:

Take 1 each of (all the names in your family), stir together and let simmer for (however long you've been a family).  Sprinkle with music and laughter and garnish with a cheesy Christmas letter.  Enjoy!

See?  Different, yet informative.  There you go.