Holiday Card Writing 101 for procrastinators like me
There have been years that I didn’t get to my card writing until after the holidays. At those times I called the cards that I did write New Year’s cards. The reason for my late cards was not always about being too busy, instead it was more often procrastination. I have known for years why I procrastinate about this task, but that hasn’t helped me move off the dime. My dilemma, I want to make each card personal, but what do I write? And what if I run out of cards that fit the receiver? This year, I have come up with an action plan. And because I am selling cards with no greeting I thought I would pass along my plan for you to consider whenever you send cards.
Before I tell you my plan, I must acknowledge and thank friends and family who put personal notes in their cards. I have some close friends who write delightful Christmas letters full of stories and anecdotes about their year. I love getting them, even if I l already know the news. Since they are known to be excellent writers, I always imagine them sitting down with a warm beverage and whipping out that letter before the beverage cools. I know that probably isn’t realistic. After all, I always told my students that no matter how well they wrote they needed to proof and edit their assignments at least 3 times before it came to me and that I would do the same.
On to my new formula:
When we get a card from someone we don’t see or hear from very often, we all want to know, 1. Are they well; 2. Are they still with their partner or housemate; and 3. How are the kids and the pets. We can tell by the return address whether they have moved. You can give that same information in one or two sentences for each of the 3 points without writing loads of detail. A little mystery can be intriguing for your reader and can save you time. If they pay attention they can read between the lines. Here is an example: 1. Our health plan didn’t lose money on us this year.( We are well and we have a health plan.) 2. We went to a fancy restaurant to celebrate our 12th anniversary. (We are still together and like each other’s company enough to go out together, just the two of us. And we have enough discretionary funds to go to a “fancy” eatery.) 3. Susie keeps us laughing. She plays hide and seek every day. ( Susie, child or pet, is in good health and we still enjoy her.) That could fit on the top half or the left side of your open card.
For the second half of the card make it personal by conjuring a blessing. You can make it fun. May your toes stay toasty this holiday. That may sound frivolous, but think about it. Maybe you are wishing that someone bought them warm socks, or more seriously you hope that they can afford to bump up the heat, or even wishing them good health. You have to have good circulation to keep those toes warm. You can keep the same blessing for multiple people.
For the more serious minded you can write or find a heartfelt quote and phrase. To make it a blessing start with the word may. I love John O’ Donohue’s writings on blessings. His book To Bless the Space Between Us, a book of blessings is a wonderful source. The introduction to this book makes the point that, “ The word blessing evokes a sense of warmth and protection, ..” At the end of the introduction he writes a blessing for the reader. “May we all receive blessings upon blessing. And may we realize our power to bless, heal, and renew one another.”
As for the concern of finding the right card, my advise is to grab any card, or grab a piece of paper. If you draw a bow or a wreath on the card’s picture or the blank paper it will become a holiday card. It doesn’t have to be a work of art, It will be special since you took the time to doodle a quick image just for them. Of course, if you want to making your cards as a creative outlet, go for it, but that is a different blog.
In conclusion, dear reader, go back up 2 paragraphs to John’s blessing at the end of his introduction for my wish for you. And I would add, May the wild critters in your neighborhood find a warm place to stay that isn’t your house.