In this issue:
• Oh Brother, Not Another Holiday Letter!
• Did You Know?
• Online Courses Now Open for Registration
• Workshops Being Booked for 2007
• Holiday Wishes

Let us take care of your words.

OH BROTHER, NOT ANOTHER HOLIDAY LETTER!
Most of us love receiving holiday cards and letters, but let’s face it. Sometimes the letters are a bit…dull. Others are simply a chance to brag (yawn), without any real news. But what if the letter is yours? How do you avoid having your holiday letter on the fast track to the recycling bin? Read on for some great tips!

What's that word say?
Most people nowadays use a computer to write their letters. Make sure the font is at least 12-point, and that you don’t use too many different fonts. Use light-colored paper with black ink, and keep it to one sheet of paper. If you want, use both sides of a sheet, but don’t go any longer.

Share news, but don’t brag.
There’s nothing worse than reading page after page about how wonderful your kids are. We know your kids are great; they’re your kids, after all! It’s perfectly acceptable to mention that you ran a marathon, or that your children received top-notch grades, but don’t go into too much detail saying that you got a new Jacuzzi with fancy faucets. Humility is a good thing.

Don’t assume we know everyone in your life.
Remember that different people will be reading your letters, and they won’t know everyone in your life. Even if the Deaf community is close-knit, not everyone knows everyone in your family or life, so identify the people you mention. A good way to do this is to write, “Bertha, our great-grandmother, turned 101 this year…” instead of, “Bertha is 101!”

Be brief, but don’t be too abrupt.
Now that you have given yourself a page limit (one sheet of paper with 12-point font), you should plan the information to be brief without being too abrupt. Don’t go into a 3,000-word explanation of your year’s activities, such as a vacation. But don’t make it a three-word explanation, either. A good idea is to mention whom you went on vacation with, and one or two things about what you did on your trip. That’ll be more than enough for most readers. A good way to remember this is: talk about the highlights of your year, instead of giving a play-by-play.

Bad News: To share or not to share?
Some people prefer not to read bad news in holiday letters; others want to know about your life, including the good and the bad. The decision is up to you. If you lost a loved one, or lost your job, it’s probably appropriate to mention that in your letter, but balance it out with some positive news. For instance, “Jack was laid off from his job in September, and has been using his new free time to work on his hobbies while job-hunting. It has been a welcome break for him.” The important thing is not to make it too depressing or to go on and on about your bad news.

Personalize the letter.
You don't want it to look like your letter is part of a generic mass mailing. Add a personal touch to the letter by including a photo or two, writing a short note at the bottom in your own handwriting to each person, and signing it. Remember: holiday letters should never replace good, old-fashioned holiday wishes.

Some other quick tips:
• Consider your audience and keep in mind who you’re writing to.
• Write in your own chatty style, like you’re chatting with that person. Don’t make it too business-like, but don’t make it too personal.
• If you’re writing for your entire family, make sure every family member is okay with the information you share. Some of it may be too private for them.
• Use appropriate humor. Don’t make the letter completely dry and dull.
• End on a positive note, with sincere wishes for your family and friends.

(Some tips compiled from Hallmark and azcentral.com)