Re: Those Holiday Letters

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

Your husband sounds like a great guy and a real GEM! ---

I am not a fan of those letters either ---BRAGFESTS!!! Instead I prefer to write a short personal note when I write out my Christmas cards to let folks know I'm thinking about them and sending them my love---its about the RECIPIENT not about me! ........

My sister and I both got a letter from an acquaintance of course she had to tell us how wonderful her year has been..🙄..And my sister had a funny thought---she was thinking of sending out a letter, and letting everyone know how stressful her job is, how awful her workload has been, and how she came down with a case of the flu right after Thanksgiving and how she had to take her cat to the Vet to clear up a case of constipation, and now that its cleared up its nice to see healthy formed cat doo in his litterbox..(oh I wish I would have remembered to include a photo)...the trip to the Vet left her a bit broke for Christmas, so no gifts this year......... And end it with I hope your upcoming year will be just as good as mine....LOL.....

I dont know if she's really going to send it or not...but I wish she would....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

Nutzy · ‎03-31-2013

We got a Christmas letter yesterday that was the opposite for most of the "bragfest" ones. These friends live in the next town and we see them periodically so we know they have friends, fun and grandchildren in their lives. Yet their letter focused on their medical concerns. Nothing serious or unusual, just news that "Joe" had a colonoscopy in November and Mary's doctor put her on calcium and iron supplements. That type of thing. I found it sad that this was the news they chose to focus on rather than their new grandchild, etc.

colliemom4 · ‎09-08-2010

@Nutzy wrote:
We got a Christmas letter yesterday that was the opposite for most of the "bragfest" ones. These friends live in the next town and we see them periodically so we know they have friends, fun and grandchildren in their lives. Yet their letter focused on their medical concerns. Nothing serious or unusual, just news that "Joe" had a colonoscopy in November and Mary's doctor put her on calcium and iron supplements. That type of thing. I found it sad that this was the news they chose to focus on rather than their new grandchild, etc.

I recall my parents getting a letter from a former neighbor in which he did nothing but complain about being depressed since he retired. I recall my mom being so turned off by it lol.

jeanlake · ‎03-10-2010

I about spit out my Dr. Pepper drink when I read about the cousin sending a DVR about his cruise.

As someone posted, it's nice for those who don't access email or internet to receive family letters. I don't miss those holiday letters. Friends and I stay updated through email and texts and less often, phone calls.

Friends from young adult years kept us updated with lengthy family letters. Interesting people. Letters haven't been sent recently. Let's just say, there's no such thing as only happy reports.

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

Omg.... I haven't received one of those or even heard about one in many years. Not since Facebook entered all our lives. Now people do their bragging and tell their lies on Social Media sites.....with pictures.

marky · ‎03-10-2010

I remember my aunt sending out those letters each year. She would tell of their travels all over the country and give great detail about their stays with members of her side of the family. She would then mention that they stopped through to visit us on their way home. No mention of her husband's family members and his elderly mother. Just a brief stop which she made clear was out of obligation. I, in no way, felt that my Uncle deemed the visit as an obligation but she had a way of putting us down without saying it outright. She bragged on all of her family's accomplishments.

In anticipation of finding the three page letter in our mailbox, we would discuss how she would make us appear in a bad light this year. She always manged to do so. My mother always laughed and stated that it was a pity that in all her bragging and traveling, she was missing out not being with us. Once when my parents and grandmother visited them in NY (by my uncle's invitation), she barely put enough food on the table for the three small children let alone the five adults. Mom said it was apparent thet she didn't want them there. I can't imagine doing anyone that way let alone family.

I have never understood why anyone would want to send out those letters, unless it is just to brag and try to make others feel inferior.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@Sooner

I feel the need to say I was not offended. I said it hit a sour note for me. Offended? No.

My opinion is, if you are going to go through the trouble of sending a card to someone, add something that will be meaningful to THAT person.

Otherwise, don't bother. Might as well send a text.

I send cards, but I write a sentence or two recounting some happy memory of the person, or time spent, or something personal.

In the end, whether I heard from this person or not, it didn't matter. I'm glad she's having a good life, but she needn't inform me of all the details.

@Witchy Woman I did not address my response to you. So I hope you didn't take it that way. I have read so many discussions about this over the years that I just feel very strongly that way. It always amazes me, so I've learned NOT to send anything that I don't want to offend, upset or be read and made fun of.

I'm a coward! LOL!!!!

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

Sorry I have trouble posting sometimes. Duplicates

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

Can someone explain to me the difference between sharing good news/happiness and bragging?

If you said we spent $300,000 on a boat this year, I'd say that was bragging.

If someone said "We bought a boat and had a great time at the lake this year!" To me that's good news.

"All our kids are happy, involved in a lot of activities and all are on the honor roll." To me that's good news.

So do you want to hear about the bad news happening to them?

Just don't want to hear from anyone? To me the whole thing about contacting people at the holidays is a lose/lose situation. What on earth could you say to not irritate people? I honestly don't understand the dynamic here.