Christmas Letter

Dear friends and family,

By Judy

I like to write the first draft of my annual Christmas letter in August, or maybe September, for sure in October. I really must have it started in November. Okay, so we are now in the first week of December, and I have not started it yet. The timing of the writing of this Christmas letter is always an issue for me. Ideally, the end product would be in the mail by the first week of December. That is always the plan. That is never reality.

Oh, I always start thinking about it in August. And I think about it in September and in October. During Thanksgiving weekend I sometimes jot down a fleeting thought about some interesting tidbit of information I want to include in the letter. Some years I have actually composed a paragraph or two of the letter. However, when I am down to the deadline and must get the letter completed (or it becomes a Presidents’ Day letter), I can never find that piece of paper. Some years, too, I can’t find the Christmas cards that were such a good bargain at last year’s after-Christmas sale. (I do have a list of about fifty other reasons for not getting the letter out in a timely manner if you need them.)

Yet, the Christmas season is getting calmer as I age. For one thing, writing one check to each family member is easier than spending hours in crowded stores shopping to find just “the perfect gift.” Writing multiple checks to multiple stores to pay for those “perfect gifts” takes time.”  No, it is not as much fun to watch the ten and under grandchildren open an envelope and pull out a check as it is to watch them rip happy Santa Claus paper off a new doll or truck. On the good side, though, they don’t whine as much when they get a check as they do when they get underwear.  I’ve observed, too, the family members who are over twenty are very satisfied with finding a check in a Christmas envelope.

Well, Christmas is fast approaching, and I’ve got to find those Christmas cards. I need to reconcile my bank account, too, wouldn’t want to give a hot check for Christmas. And, of course, I’ve got to start my Christmas letter to family and friends…. Oh yes, Merry Christmas to all!