You might be tempted to file this Little Trick in the “Snooty” drawer. I was stunned to discover, however, the sentiment is surprisingly common. All I ask is that you hear me out and then make your own decision.
Reality check: Most big cats hiss at an annual photocopied holiday letter. As they read it, they are disdainfully thinking, This sender assumes everyone is salivating to hear all about their family’s magnificent accomplishments in the past 365 days.
Some happy holiday writers even apologize that their letter is late—signifying their certitude that the recipient is concerned that they have not received it yet and checks the mailbox for it daily.
Here is a typical family Christmas or holiday letter. The parts in parentheses indicate how a big cat recipient might react.
Dear friends, this has been a very special year for us. Dad, because of his great knowledge of his field, has decided to become a consultant.
He lost his job and no one else would hire him.
So that our son can be closer to us, Johnny has chosen to go to the community college nearby.
Every university he applied to turned him down.
And, the biggest news of all, we have a grandchild on the way. Our oldest daughter is expecting a bundle of joy in March.
They don’t mention that her husband walked out on her six months ago, and she has now filed a paternity suit against the postman.
We pray that you and yours have had a wonderful year, too.
Little Trick #70
Think Before Sending an Annual Holiday Letter
I don’t mean to sound like Scrooge. However, as your humble journalist, I feel obligated to report the facts: Many big cats chuck photocopied Christmas letters in the wastebasket, unread. Before they do that, however, they note the sender’s name so they can add it to their little puss list.