This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to Amazon .
The Tale of My Holiday Letter
This year marks 20 years since my first Annual Grabowski Holiday letter—one of my favorite traditions.
While writing this article, I confirmed when I began sending one, thinking it was the year I got married. But the earliest I found was 1998. Then I realized, Oh yeah, we didn’t have a computer in 1995. In the 90s, holiday letters were the new fad. People were buying their first computers and printers. Soon Staples and Office Depot jumped on the bandwagon, selling specially designed holiday paper.
Since we moved around a lot in the early years of our marriage, a holiday letter was a great way to keep in touch with friends. Over the years, my holiday letter and card combo increased to close to 250 recipients, and every time we did something special I would make a mental note to add it to the year’s letter. Then I perfected a process with the creation of a database for all those addresses (for holiday use only) and buying a fancy address stamper and special sealing sponge. I even learned to whip out a draft in under thirty minutes and began to bribe my kids to take part in the assembly line.
But beginning probably a decade ago, the letters from friends began to dwindle even as our holiday cards skyrocketed. (We can cover four doors in our house with all the cards we receive.) Were people getting lazy? Was the cost prohibitive? (It does cost in the hundreds of dollars to mail do many cards and letters, and that special paper isn’t cheap.) It didn’t take long to determine social media was to blame. Why write a letter when most of your friends are updated on Facebook or Instagram throughout the year?
Two years ago, I finally decided it was my time to skip the letter—almost no one else was doing it. Besides, I was having a down year being in the midst of selling my first novel, (those rejections do get to you,) so I didn’t feel inspired to write about our year.
But do you know what happened? People came out of the woodwork asking me, what happened to the letter? Did you forget mine? Was it a mistake? Would I consider a New Year’s letter instead? I had no idea people looked forward to it so much.
However, ordine cialis on line the problem can be treated effectively using modern medicines. This replacement therapy has positively impacted diseases such generic levitra online as osteoporosis, prostate cancer, and even HIV. The ribs and spine assist in expanding the brand viagra 100mg lungs with air. Mr Cable supported a call from Lord Blair, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, for a police investigation into what he said appeared to be evidence that Barclays order cheap levitra staff had perpetrated a conspiracy to defraud. End of story, the letter returned last year, and by the time this blog is posted, 250 people will have received it. I now credit those letters as one activity that propelled me to eventually try and turn writing into a career as an author.
I hope everyone reading this blog also has holiday traditions that bring you so much joy and connection.
Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.
Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.
When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?
About the Author: Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.
When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.
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Buy the book at Amazon.
I really want to read this book. I can’t imagine what the secret is at the boarding school.
I hope you do read the book. Thanks for reading the article
I would love it if you read Dickensen Academy. Thank you for reading this article.
I have often thought of doing a December newsletter. Maybe next year I shall do more than think
Hope you try the newsletter at least once.
I’ve always enjoyed receiving and reading December newsletters from family and friends, but have never written one.
I am glad to know people enjoy reading them.
I am glad to know people enjoy reading them. Hope you get lots this year.
Wasn’t it nice to find so many people missed your letter.
It was very nice. Made me feel good.
What a nice tradition. I don’t know many people who still send out holiday letters, but I do like seeing what folks have been up to for the ones who do.
I think I got about 4 letters this year and about 150 cards without.
What a wonderful tradition.
Thank you for reading about it.
Thanks for allowing me to share my holiday tradition today.
I love your letter writing tradition. What a wonderful way to collect family memories for future generations.
I cannot wait to read your new book! Super cool that you followed your dream and accomplished such a fantastic goal!
Way to go!
Joel,
Good to hear from you and thanks for reading my post. Hope you get a chance to read my book. (Or if you have kids between about 10 and 16). Hope to see you at a future reunion.
How industrious of you! And how wonderful that you and those who receive your letters enjoy them so much. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy 2019!
Thanks so much Judy. And hope everything goes well with your new release.
I love receiving holiday letters! Well, any cards, notes, handwritten items.
I too am so glad snail mail hasn’t completely disappeared.
Thank you for sharing Loved your story Christine Happy Holidays 2019!
Thank you for reading it, Sarah. Enjoy the rest of your holidays.
I know itsaves time and postage to send out a newsletter electronically, but I still love the thrill of opening an envelope and seeing a long, handwritten letter.
Madeleine,
I’m with you. It feels like more of a connection to me. Thank you for reading my blog post.
Thank you for sharing your story. I would love to be entered into the giveaway.
Bernie,
Thanks for reading my post. You have been entered. 🙂 At the end of the blogfest, I will draw a name from those who posted (It ends Jan. 3 or 4th).
‘Just started reading Dickensen Academy and am enjoying it tremendously! Congrats, Christine, on your burgeoning writing career!! I wish you great success!
I’m so glad you are enjoying it. Thank you.
Dickensen Academy sounds great! Thank you
Thanks for reading out it.
What an interesting story about the letter, and the response you got was more so. People can be so surprising!
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Yes, people can surprise you.
I love Holiday Christmas letters. As you say, it’s a chance to connect with people you may not have heard from all year. Unfortunately, Christmas cards seem to be fading as a Christmas tradition. Sad. Happy New Year.
More and more people seem to be switching to digital. I agree, so sad.
Congrats to Audrey Stewart who wins the $10 Amazon gift card. (I did a completely random drawing but somehow picked the first one to comment.) I will get in touch with Long and Short Reviews to get your email.