Do you suppose it’s because it comes at the end of year?  Maybe it’s because it’s the one time we actually send real mail to so many people.  Perhaps it’s the only time that we remember we have an aunt in Missouri, no, that’s Mississippi, or somewhere that starts with M and is close to water.  Maine?  For whatever reason, Christmas is the unfortunate time and Christmas Cards the unsuspecting carriers for the dreaded Holiday Letter. 

Holiday Letters themselves are not bad things.  You may recall there was once a time when letter writing was actually the fashion.  Not everything was always communicated in 50 characters or less.  Sometimes we’d write glorious letters, pages long, and get similar responses.  The Holiday Letter was but one of several that would be distributed to friends and relatives throughout the year.

Today the Holiday Letter is often not much more than an excuse for why we never called.  You probably should have called.  You could have called and still written the Holiday Letter.  Then it becomes a bonus for the recipient.  An extra touch that someone actually took time to write.  And that’s nice.

No, the Holiday Letter isn’t a bad thing.  Sometimes a family is too large to keep in touch with every one over the year.  Sometimes there really is too much going on and a common letter to everyone brings all up to date with your happenings.  The Holiday Letter becomes that great orator for the one who just couldn’t get around to all those calls.  And it makes a great conversation starter for when next year’s calls get started.

Of course, sometimes the Holiday Letter can fall into the wrong hands.  Not a wrong recipient – a wrong writer.  Check out your mail this year.  Did you get a “personal letter” from your bank or Congressman, your church or your dog groomer?  Or perhaps from the bank that wants your business, the church on the other side of town, or the pet wash in the new shopping center.  (Sorry, you’re stuck with the same Congressman until next fall.)  It is bad enough that Christmas sales start before Halloween, the Holiday Letter marketing tool can weaken even the strongest spirit of Christmas.

She of We got her annual Holiday Letter from her newspaper carrier.  A little something to the 400 or so families on her route to bring them up to date on her vacations from earlier in the year, her latest plans for retirement, the health of her children and pets, and a reminder to keep those sidewalks and steps ice free during the winter months.  It was homier than the one He of We got from his dentist that described the new x-ray machine and the computerized insurance verification service, and a reminder to call now for an appointment but not for during the first week of March when they’ll be repaving the parking lot.

Nope the Holiday Letter in itself isn’t a bad thing.  But maybe we should be thinking about keeping that down to 50 characters or less also.

Now, that’s what we think.  Really.  How ‘bout you?