by Simone Walter

Created on: December 01, 2009   Last Updated: December 02, 2009

It's Christmas time! And along with the festive season comes an array of activities including gift buying, party arranging, over-indulging, Christmas tree decorating, as well the much dreaded Christmas card writing.

Why not try a new approach to writing your Christmas cards this year? Why not see this as an opportunity to bestow upon your friends and family a caring message and heart-felt well-wishes?

Before you are able to write anything in your card, you are going to need an actual card! In my opinion, it's always best to keep things classic and elegant. I prefer to steer clear of humorous cards as I am never sure what may offend the reader. Also, when choosing my card I pick one with no inscription. This way I get to write a personal message without having the words plucked from my mouth by the manufacturer of the card! Remain sincere throughout your message.

Write from the heart. Think about the person you are writing your card to. If the intended receiver is a friend or a close family member, you shouldn't really be having problems with figuring out what to write. What do you wish this person? It would probably be something along the lines of health, love, laughter, success?

If you are writing to a long distance relative or friend, inform them on what you have been up to and what your plans are for the festive season. Writing a Christmas card is a great opportunity for re-establishing contact and mending broken ties.Why not mention your E-mail address or Telephone No.? You could also add a recent photo of your family, the children, the grandchildren etc. This would also add a personal touch to your card.

Here are a few points to remember when writing your card:

- State the date in the top right corner

- Address the person(s) you are writing to in your card by their name(s) i.e. Dear _______. This adds the vital personal touch to your card.

- You should, quite obviously, at some point write Merry Christmas.

- Finish your message with a kind greeting (e.g. much love; yours sincerely etc.), as well as your name and signature.

Relax, make yourself a cup of coffee/ tea/ hot chocolate, find yourself a comfortable desk, put on some Christmas music and take on the batch of cards with new-found inspiration and vigour!

Happy writing and a very Merry Christmas!

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