Writing a Christmas letter can feel harder than it should. You want to share the highlights of your year, but staring at a blank page often leaves you wondering where to begin, what to include, and how much is too much.
The good news is that a great Christmas letter doesn’t have to be perfect. The most memorable letters aren’t packed with accomplishments or carefully crafted stories. They’re simply an opportunity to catch up with friends and family, share a few meaningful moments from the year, and send holiday wishes to the people you care about most.
Whether you’re including a traditional family letter inside your Christmas cards or printing a shorter version on the back of a holiday card, these ideas, templates, and examples can help you find the right words.
What to Put in a Christmas Letter
The best Christmas letters give loved ones a glimpse into your year without trying to cover every single detail.
Start with the highlights that mattered most to your family. This might include milestones like a new baby, graduation, move, wedding, promotion, retirement, or memorable vacation. Then add updates about family members, hobbies, activities, and the everyday moments that made the year special.
Don’t feel pressured to turn your letter into a list of accomplishments. In fact, some of the most enjoyable Christmas letters include funny stories and ordinary moments. Maybe your toddler discovered a favorite phrase and repeated it hundreds of times. Maybe your dog declared war on the vacuum cleaner. Maybe your family became unexpectedly competitive during game nights.
If you’re worried about sounding like you’re bragging, you’re not alone. A simple way to avoid this is to balance major milestones with personal memories. Share the graduation, promotion, or championship season, but also include the road trip mishap, the family traditions, and the moments that made you laugh. Think of your letter as catching up with a friend rather than writing an annual report.
Most Christmas letters are around 200 to 300 words, while longer newsletter-style letters can reach 500 words. If you’re writing for the back of a card, you’ll usually want to stay under 150 words.
A Simple Christmas Letter Format to Follow
If you’re not sure where to start, use this simple structure:
- Greeting
- Highlights from the year
- Family updates
- A favorite memory or funny story
- Looking ahead to the new year
- Holiday wishes and sign-off
Now let’s look at some examples.
Family Christmas Letter Examples
Family Christmas Letter Example With Young Kids
Dear Friends and Family,
As we sit down to write this year’s Christmas letter, we’re honestly wondering how another year has already flown by. It seems like just yesterday we were putting away last year’s decorations, and now we’re once again trying to untangle Christmas lights while sneaking cookies off the holiday baking tray.
This year was filled with exciting milestones for our family. Emma started first grade and quickly discovered that she loves reading even more than recess, which is something we never expected. Jack spent most of the year trying to keep up with his big sister while also developing strong opinions about everything from breakfast cereal to dinosaurs.
Summer brought one of our biggest adventures: a family road trip through several national parks. While we expected beautiful scenery and plenty of family photos, we didn’t expect a flat tire, three wrong turns, and a heated debate over whether audiobooks count as music. Looking back, those moments became some of our favorite memories.
Of course, life wasn’t all big trips and milestones. Some of our favorite moments happened at home. Family movie nights, Saturday morning pancakes, and cheering from the sidelines at soccer games reminded us that the ordinary days are often the ones we’ll remember most.
As we head into a new year, we’re feeling grateful for family, friends, and all the people who make our lives richer simply by being part of them.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
With love,
The Carter Family
Family Christmas Letter Example With a New Baby
Dear Family and Friends,
If we had to summarize this year in one word, it would probably be “busy.”
Our biggest news arrived in March when we welcomed baby Olivia into the world. Since then, life has been filled with first smiles, first laughs, first holidays, and approximately a million photos. We were warned about sleepless nights, and those warnings turned out to be completely accurate, but we’ve also experienced more joy than we ever imagined.
Watching Olivia grow and change month by month has been the highlight of our year. Every new milestone feels worth celebrating, whether it’s learning to sit up, trying new foods, or discovering that the family dog is endlessly fascinating.
Outside of baby life, we enjoyed visits from grandparents, family gatherings, and a summer spent introducing Olivia to favorite traditions. We also learned that leaving the house now requires carrying enough supplies to survive a small natural disaster.
More than anything, this year reminded us how quickly life can change and how grateful we are for the people who share these moments with us. Thank you to everyone who checked in, offered support, and celebrated alongside us throughout this exciting new chapter.
As we celebrate Olivia’s first Christmas, we’re looking forward to creating traditions and memories that will continue for years to come.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
With love,
The Martinez Family
Christmas Letter Example for Newlyweds or a Couple
Dear Friends and Family,
This Christmas feels a little extra special because it marks the end of our first full year as a married couple.
Like many newlyweds, we spent much of the year figuring things out together. Some projects went exactly as planned, while others taught us valuable lessons about just how many trips to the hardware store one home improvement project can require.
One of our favorite memories was a weeklong trip we took in the spring. We spent our days exploring new places, trying local restaurants, and collecting stories we’ll probably still be telling years from now. Back at home, we found just as much joy in quieter moments, from hosting friends for dinner to discovering new weekend traditions of our own.
This year also gave us a renewed appreciation for family and friendships. Whether through celebrations, holiday gatherings, or simple phone calls, we’ve felt incredibly fortunate to have so many wonderful people supporting us as we build our life together.
As we look ahead to another year, we’re excited for new adventures, new traditions, and whatever surprises may come our way.
We hope your holiday season is filled with laughter, comfort, and time spent with loved ones.
Warmly,
Ryan and Megan
Christmas Letter Example for Empty Nesters
Dear Friends and Family,
The older we get, the more quickly the years seem to pass.
This year brought a new chapter for our family as we continued adjusting to life as empty nesters. While the house is certainly quieter than it once was, we’ve discovered that this season of life brings its own adventures.
One highlight was finally taking a trip we’d been talking about for years. Without having to plan around school schedules or sports seasons, we found ourselves with the freedom to be a little more spontaneous. It turns out that’s pretty fun.
Of course, our favorite moments still involve family. We loved every visit, every holiday gathering, and every opportunity to spend time with our children whenever their schedules allowed. There’s nothing quite like having everyone under one roof again, even if only for a weekend.
When we weren’t traveling, we spent time tackling long-postponed projects around the house, volunteering in our community, and rediscovering hobbies that had been sitting on the back burner for years.
Looking back, we’re reminded that every stage of life brings something worth celebrating. This year taught us to appreciate slower mornings, unexpected adventures, and the simple joy of staying connected with family and friends.
We wish all of you a Christmas filled with warmth, happiness, and cherished memories.
Best wishes,
The Anderson Family
Fill-in-the-Blank Christmas Letter Template
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy holidays from the __________ family!
As another year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a year filled with __________, __________, and __________.
One of the highlights of our year was __________. We also spent time __________ and made memories we’ll never forget.
This year, __________ enjoyed __________, while __________ spent time __________.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for __________ and everything the new year may bring.
Thank you for being part of our lives. We hope your holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, and time spent with the people you love most.
Warm wishes,
The __________ Family
Christmas Letter Ideas for the Back of a Card
Short Family Update
This year brought new adventures, meaningful milestones, and plenty of memories we’ll never forget. We’re grateful for the laughter, lessons, and time spent with loved ones. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
One-Paragraph Family Christmas Letter
What a year it’s been! Between school, work, travel, and family celebrations, the past twelve months have kept us busy in the best possible way. We’re thankful for every moment, especially the time spent with family and friends. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in the coming year.
Minimalist Holiday Message
Warm holiday wishes from our family to yours. May your Christmas be filled with happiness, peace, and time with those you love.
Pairing Your Christmas Letter With a Photo Card
A Christmas letter and a photo card can work together to tell the story of your year.
If your letter includes several family updates, milestones, or travel memories, a multi-photo collage card can complement those stories by showing the moments alongside them. Families with lots of highlights often find that collage designs naturally reinforce the updates they’re sharing.
If your letter is longer and does most of the storytelling, a single-photo Christmas card can be a great choice. One favorite family portrait paired with a thoughtful letter creates a classic holiday look that’s timeless and personal.
Shutterfly offers Christmas cards for every type of family and milestone, including designs for baby’s first Christmas, newlyweds, pet lovers, and traditional family portraits. Matching your card style to your story helps create a holiday greeting that feels cohesive and personal.
For shorter updates, consider printing your message directly on the back of the card. For longer family newsletters, a separate letter insert may be the better option.
FAQs
How do I start a Christmas letter?
Start with a simple greeting and a reflection on the year. Many people begin by mentioning how quickly the year passed or referencing a major milestone that shaped the past twelve months.
How long should a family Christmas letter be?
Most Christmas letters are between 200 and 300 words, though some families write longer newsletter-style updates. If you’re printing your message on the back of a card, aim for 50 to 150 words.
Should I put a Christmas letter inside my photo Christmas card?
If you have several updates or stories to share, a separate letter insert works well. If your message is shorter, printing it on the back of the card can keep everything together in one place.
What should I avoid putting in a Christmas letter?
Avoid turning your letter into a list of accomplishments. A mix of milestones, funny stories, everyday moments, and holiday wishes usually feels more natural and enjoyable to read.
Can I print my Christmas letter on the back of my holiday card?
Yes. Many families choose to print a condensed version of their Christmas letter on the back of a holiday card, especially if they’re sharing just a few highlights from the year.
Are Christmas letters still popular?
Absolutely. Many families continue to send Christmas letters as part of their holiday tradition, whether as a full-page family update, a card insert, or a shorter message printed directly on their photo cards.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Letters
At the end of the day, the best Christmas letter is the one that sounds like you. Whether your year was filled with major milestones or quiet everyday moments, sharing a few stories and updates can be a meaningful way to reconnect with family and friends during the holiday season.
Remember, you don’t need a perfect format or a long list of accomplishments to write a memorable Christmas letter. A sincere update, a favorite memory, and warm holiday wishes are often more than enough.
Once you’ve written your letter, pair it with a personalized Christmas card that helps bring your family’s story to life. Whether you choose a classic family portrait, a festive collage, or a design that celebrates a new baby, beloved pet, or special milestone, the right card can make your holiday greeting even more memorable.
Here’s to sharing your favorite moments, celebrating the year behind you, and sending warm wishes for the year ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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