Do you think sending a "form letter" for a Christmas card is tacky?

Question

I hate the obnoxious Christmas letters that are a big brag-fest. What do you think of them? I don't mind getting a "form letter" if it's just a normal letter and not an entire page of bragging. I prefer to send a short hand-written note in each of my cards. I did have a pretty good year and I'd love to send a braggy letter to the people that send me one every single year, but I don't think I could actually go through with it.

Answer 1

X-mas form letters are HORRIBLE!!!!!!

They are so bad, that I am thinking of starting a tradition where my siblings & me all have a competition about who can write the most plausible lies about familial accomplishments!!!

You have inspired me---I am issuing a challenge this very night...lol....I will win!

Answer 2

To me cards are not as sincere as a hand written letter and the letter is not as expensive. Why do we think we have to pay such extremely high prices to a retailer for something that usually we have to ponder over for such a long time that really can't say what we want to tell the person we're sending it to. And you know so many people look at the back of a card to determine how much was spent on it and feel (some of them) let down because the card didn't cost more than a couple of dollars. Send the letter and everybody will have had the same amount spent on them and nobody can complain about the card being so cheap because they didn't get a card, they got a letter.

Answer 3

Xmas form letters are bad ...so are those brag fest ones. Most people don't have the time or desire to read all that crap .Most just chuck it.
Just send a card with a quick note. Catch up with those close friends/family that will care about your good news after the holidays

Answer 4

I loathe and detest those braggy letters more than anything else about Christmas. They are so inappropriate!

The worst thing about them is that they are full of lies. If a couple get divorced or have marital problems, their letter is still full of good news about their great trip to Disneyland ... even though that's where the husband got caught cheating.

They are nauseating!!!!!!!

A simple hand-written note saying how much you care about the recipient is so much more effective and nice to receive.

Answer 5

My friends from school scattered to the four winds after graduation. I can't wait to get those form letters telling me what every last member of their family is doing. I am very dissappointed if I don't get these. I don't even mind the braggy ones. Friends will brag to each other I think these bring us closer. I love them!!!!!

Answer 6

The way the economy is, brides are having to be more budget conscious. I know I am. Save-the-dates are not necessary unless you're having it on a weekend where other people would have problems (for instance, the 4th of July weekend where family/friends are more than likely on vacation). There have been many weddings in my family (recent ones too) and my save-the-dates were the first ones any of my family/friends have ever seen. If you would like to send them out, but save of the postage, go ahead and stick them in the Christmas cards. If you're afraid to be too tacky--send them via email. Congrats on getting married!

Answer 7

A form letter isn't so bad if you don't communicate with your family much during the year, but (like you said) you need to keep the bragging down. The key is not measuring everying in the letter(Ex: I lost 25 pounds, Jimmy got A's for the 5th time); but to focus on how the goal was met (I've taken up jogging, Jimmy works hard in school, and we are proud of him).

The personalized section at the bottom is always my favorite, it shows you took time to remember individuals.

Go for the letter, if you are proud of what you did.

Answer 8

There are two kinds of form letters---the bragging kind, and the ones full of news. Years ago, I wrote long letters to a lot of people. I pretty much said the same things in each of them, and talked about their family, too.

One year, there was so much going on, that I just didn't have time to write a long letter to everyone, so I resorted to a form letter. At the top, I left room to write in ink, Dear Mary and John. And at the bottom, I left room to write a personal note to each one in ink. Also signed our names. That way, they got the news, yet it was personal to each one.

I hate the letters that are--Dear family and friends, and the names are also typed. This is very poor manners. You should never type your name---always write it in longhand on each individual one.

However, many people do this who have a lot of cards to send. And I guess I would rather get one than none at all.

Answer 9

Well, I don't like them! I do as you do, I take the time to write personal notes to people. In the past, I have written "the ultimate" Christmas letter, too. I just find it fun to do.
When I get Christmas letters, I have the most fun with my red marking pen. I correct all the grammar, spelling mistakes, syntax, etc.. It somehow makes me feel good.....

Answer 10

Good for you on sending a short hand written note...I pretty much thought they were obselete. Just keep up the good ole fashion way of saying Merry Christmas...something handwritten without all the superficial garb. Maybe the rest of them will get it. Probably not.

Wendy K.

Answer 11

Form generic letters in any circumstance are tacky, particularly with the histories revealed once a year by those seemingly puffed up with their importance to share with others their accomplishments.

Letters ought to be addressed to specific individuals and not mailed out in bulk to all the relatives with a generic salutation.