lucy
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 1,353 
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Post by lucy on Dec 26, 2014 9:07:18 GMT -5
some are nice, some are bragging, some give way too much detail, and some are way overbearing.
we received some of each this yr.
dh kinda gave me a guilt trip for not sending one out (we have a few times in the past)...
the thing is, ....i don't want to seem braggy, or give out my kid's news/story in my news letter. that is their info to share or give.
i have in the past written a very lengthy newsletter, then printed each out individually and sent to this aunt or that aunt...so it is more of a letter to family, and not a blast to all people we've ever met.
and.....sometimes...my family just can't compete....we aren't attending a major top ten school, or living abroad, or working for a mega corporation, or buying houses big or small......we're not doing all these things that folks brag about. we're living....kids are in school or working....things are ok. maybe i need to take lessons on how to brag or make regular events seem so much more.
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paliz
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 746
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Post by paliz on Dec 26, 2014 10:24:30 GMT -5
I know how you feel. I normally get one such letter each year. There is no wait we could "compete" with what's in that letter. I also know that each family is different and has different values. In my situation the person really isn't bragging but just trying to share what all has transpired during the past year. It feels like bragging because I know we will never do all of that.
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Post by kidsandpets on Dec 26, 2014 11:50:59 GMT -5
LOL Bronte! I started doing Christmas letters when we got married I think. For me, its been a time to share what God has been doing in our lives - especially to some who don't have much relationship with Jesus. Much of the time, God's workings are in small things - or how He has been with us or come through for us in difficulty. And with small kids, its a time of sharing some of the things that change so rapidly when they are little. Its kind of "this was our year in a nutshell and God is good whatever happened during it." My family looks forward to the letters every year. Sometimes more than I have a desire to write them - LOL! But that's me and my family. There is nothing that says you have to or should do a letter. If you don't want to do it, then you don't need to do it.  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2014 13:04:00 GMT -5
Some of them I hate but most of them I really like.
I love having the opportunity to hear how the Lord blesses people. It gives me a fuller picture of God's overwhelming graciousness.
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Post by LisainMN on Dec 26, 2014 13:12:11 GMT -5
I like them. We don't get very many anymore.
We sent them when the kids were young. DH is very creative and made them fun and funny.
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Post by countrygrl112 on Dec 26, 2014 14:04:36 GMT -5
We do one because DH likes it. I try to do a mix of the fun and not so fun. I write it like DD is the one writing it so it is super cute.
We get one each year that is a bit braggy. Always filled with "we went here on vacation and here on vacation." But they don't proffread. So it is also full of horrible mistakes. I think that drives me more nuts than the bragging. lol
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Post by kidsandpets on Dec 26, 2014 14:58:39 GMT -5
We do one because DH likes it. I try to do a mix of the fun and not so fun. I write it like DD is the one writing it so it is super cute.We get one each year that is a bit braggy. Always filled with "we went here on vacation and here on vacation." But they don't proffread. So it is also full of horrible mistakes. I think that drives me more nuts than the bragging. lol Fun! |
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mymoo
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 61
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Post by mymoo on Dec 26, 2014 15:49:33 GMT -5
I do one every year. For 16 years!! My mom started the tradition, so it's kinda just part of Christmas for us. For me, it's a way of journaling our year. I keep one, along with the family pic for the year in a notebook. The last 2 years have been a lot easier (I'm NOT a writer) because of my new method! We have a "good and fun" jar. Each time we do something "fun" or "exciting" or "accomplishing", ect., we write it on a sticky note and put it in the jar. At the time of writing the letter, I open them all up and jot them all down on the letter. I leave a few out since I can't fit them all in. Sometimes it "feels" like bragging, but we are just sharing the many blessings God has done/given/created in our lives. We always point everything to Jesus in the end. It's a way of sharing our faith with friends and family. Personally, if I get a card in the mail and there's no letter or personal note, it's kinda disappointing.  |
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Post by kidsandpets on Dec 26, 2014 17:59:58 GMT -5
I do one every year. For 16 years!! My mom started the tradition, so it's kinda just part of Christmas for us. For me, it's a way of journaling our year. I keep one, along with the family pic for the year in a notebook. The last 2 years have been a lot easier (I'm NOT a writer) because of my new method! We have a "good and fun" jar. Each time we do something "fun" or "exciting" or "accomplishing", ect., we write it on a sticky note and put it in the jar. At the time of writing the letter, I open them all up and jot them all down on the letter. I leave a few out since I can't fit them all in. Sometimes it "feels" like bragging, but we are just sharing the many blessings God has done/given/created in our lives. We always point everything to Jesus in the end. It's a way of sharing our faith with friends and family. Personally, if I get a card in the mail and there's no letter or personal note, it's kinda disappointing. I keep one too. Years ago, when I first started, I ran across a woman who had been married for 30 years or something. She had kept a letter from each year of their marriage and was in the process of compiling them into a book/scrapbook. It inspired me. I think that even when it seems that life is "dull" and not much happens, a lot really does happen. Looking back over previous years letters, its neat to see where we have been (not in location but in life) and what God has been doing and how He has changed us. Year by year I get to share these things with others. And at the same time, when looking back over years, I get to see all the amazing things God has done too. |
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yakky
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 794
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Post by yakky on Dec 26, 2014 22:20:56 GMT -5
We do one because DH likes it. I try to do a mix of the fun and not so fun. I write it like DD is the one writing it so it is super cute.We get one each year that is a bit braggy. Always filled with "we went here on vacation and here on vacation." But they don't proffread. So it is also full of horrible mistakes. I think that drives me more nuts than the bragging. lol Fun! So did you intentionally spell "proofread" wrong? I giggled when I read "proffread"! :rofl: |
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Post by Madrede3 on Dec 27, 2014 8:27:31 GMT -5
I don't mind getting Christmas letters, ones that share reality.
We don't send one.
I mean...what if top honors, class president and vacations are their reality? Are people supposed to lie so others don't feel badly?
I get letters from people I know...so, while all those accomplishments are their reality, I also know their other reality...Dad doesn't lift a finger to help with the kids. Mom berates Dad in front of the children, and the entire extended family is at odds over comments made at the family reunion. The ones I receive feel inauthentic.
And this year was especially hurtful as one of our children was left out of my in laws Christmas letter, while I was Photoshopped into their picture.
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btid
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 139
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Post by btid on Dec 27, 2014 10:20:51 GMT -5
I don't get any letters and I don't send them either. I never have. Focus on the Family sent me a Christmas card and I very much enjoyed that.
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Post by countrygrl112 on Dec 27, 2014 14:53:07 GMT -5
Fun! So did you intentionally spell "proofread" wrong? I giggled when I read "proffread"! :rofl: Nope. Just super tired and didn't notice. On top of DD's bowel issue, she now has a horrible cough and cold. Up almost every hour all night long. Not hardly eating. The fever is finally going down but she is so miserable. Her being sick and the up most the night are taking their toll on my ability to "proofread." lol |
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Post by kidsandpets on Dec 27, 2014 17:43:26 GMT -5
As I read this thread, I realized that my words could have hurt people's feelings. If I hurt anyone's feelings, I'm truly sorry. I'm sure those of you who send out letters do so to just share your year with friends and family, and of course, you are going to share the highlights. Those highlights might include a lot of great things. Again, I truly apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings. I was kind of trying to be funny but sometimes that doesn't translate as well online. Not mine. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. And every family has their own Christmas traditions. If you dislike Christmas letters, that's ok. It doesn't bother me. The "bragging" thing sort of makes me laugh actually. We don't generally have "big" things - outside of the times of when we were expecting a child, had a child or had moved (and maybe our trip to Alaska last year), we live a pretty quiet, "unexciting" life. This year as I was doing our letter this year I kind of wondered what I was going to write - not much really was happening. But as I started to write, I discovered that despite the difficulties and uncertainty, God did good things and helped us to have good times. I hope that in some form, that came across in my words. Anyway, I am not bothered by anything you said. (And I hope I didn't guilt-trip you into reading the letter I posted! I didn't mean to if I did!) We are just all different. |
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Post by kidsandpets on Dec 27, 2014 17:44:21 GMT -5
So did you intentionally spell "proofread" wrong? I giggled when I read "proffread"! :rofl: Nope. Just super tired and didn't notice. On top of DD's bowel issue, she now has a horrible cough and cold. Up almost every hour all night long. Not hardly eating. The fever is finally going down but she is so miserable. Her being sick and the up most the night are taking their toll on my ability to "proofread." lol (((BIGHIG))) Praying she feels better soon! |
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