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As December rolls in, I always feel like the world speeds up and every day gets a bit brighter (and fussier) with holiday buzz. But the part of the season I keep coming back to isn’t the shopping or party invites, it’s Write a Friend Month. I love that this odd little tradition gives me an excuse to slow down, grab my paper stash, and send real-life cheer through the mailbox.
If you’ve never celebrated Write a Friend Month, or you just want a fresh way to mark it in the thick of the Christmas season, you’re in good company. This year, I’m making it extra special by mixing my love of holiday magic with sending true handwritten words to friends near and far. Sending one note, letter, or festive greeting each day in December has become my new favorite holiday tradition. It’s good for my soul and my friends’ mailboxes, and honestly, it feels like the easiest way to share some actual Christmas spirit. Plus, every letter is a little reminder that even in the busiest season, the simplest gestures mean the most.
1. Easy and Fun Ways to Celebrate Write a Friend Month, Holiday Style
Making Write a Friend Month about Christmas can be as simple or as creative as you want. Here are some ideas I keep coming back to whenever I need inspiration:
- Doodle Your Own Christmas Postcards
Grab markers, gel pens, or even old crayons and sketch snowflakes, a string of lights, or a goofy reindeer. The art isn’t what matters; it’s the thought behind it. - Share a Secret Family Recipe Card
Write out your go-to holiday cookie or pie recipe and send it on a blank card, complete with a custom snowman doodle. - Sticker Bomb a Seasons Greetings Letter
Pick out your favorite Christmas stickers (or even puffy gingerbread men) and decorate your envelopes. There’s something about stickers that just makes mail more exciting. - Mail a Flat Ornament With a Note
Add a slim wooden ornament or felt cutout to your card; nothing too bulky so it doesn’t break in transit. - Include a Holiday Playlist
Write out a handful of your favorite festive songs for your friend to check out. It makes even the simplest card a bit more special and connects you two through music.
Spending more time on a letter is always wonderful, but even a quick card or postcard with a festive touch means a lot to people during this busy season. And don’t forget sometimes the smallest surprises are the most memorable. Even a sprig of pine or a pressed autumn leaf tucked into the envelope can be a treat for the senses.
2. Make Your Messages Meaningful and Merry
It can be tempting to scribble “Merry Christmas!” and call it a day, but a little extra thought goes a long way. Here are some ideas I find pretty handy:
- Share a Tiny Memory
Remind your friend of the snowy walk you took together three years ago, or the time you both tried making peppermint bark and failed gloriously. - Offer Encouragement
A line like “Hope this Christmas gives you a moment to just breathe and enjoy the view” is more personal than a generic greeting. - List Your Top Five Favorite Holiday Traditions
Invite your friend to share theirs in their reply. I always love seeing the little things that make everyone’s Christmas unique. - Ask a Question
What’s your friend’s favorite ornament? Which cookie do they HAVE to bake every year? Questions make your letter a conversation, not just a message.
Adding a story, joke, or even an inside reference turns regular mail into something worth saving. If you’re stuck for words, simple expressions of gratitude or warm wishes are always appreciated. The joy you put into your letter truly shines through.
3. Creative Holiday Letter Projects
If you like to craft, there are all sorts of ways to make December’s mail extra festive. Here are a few project ideas I keep using all season:
- Handmade Countdown Notes
Send twelve mini notes for the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” one a day, each with a mini drawing or joke. - Envelope Full of Confetti
Add paper snowflakes or star confetti to your envelope but give a heads up so your friend opens it carefully (glitter bomb prevention, basically). - Upcycle Old Gift Wrap
Cut last year’s wrapping paper or holiday bags into postcard sized squares and use them for this year’s letters. Less waste, more charm. - Printable Holiday Prompts
Create your own themed fill-in-the-blank notes, like “This Christmas I hope you…” It’s perfect for all ages and great if you’re writing with kids. - Holiday Mail Art Challenge
Set a simple challenge with friends: one homemade holiday card each for a week. Compare your designs and celebrate the creativity (and silliness) that follows.
4. Make Letter Writing a Daily Holiday Habit
Building a habit is half the fun. Here’s how I stick with daily notes, even when things get busy:
- Set Up a Mail Station
I keep stamps, notecards, pens, stickers, and addresses in one spot. That way, I’m never hunting for the “good pen” when it’s time to write. - Plan Out a List of People
I jot down everyone I want to mail, plus a few extras for unexpected inspiration. - Keep It Short When Needed
Not every note has to be long. Even a postcard with a couple of sentences counts and is often just right during the holiday rush. - Use a Mail Calendar
I print a calendar and cross off each day when I’ve sent my letter. It’s motivating and keeps me accountable.
Some days, I send more than one note, and other days I send just a quick card. It adds up, and each one matters. The ritual of pausing each day to connect and reflect brings a surprising sense of calm through the holiday rush.
5. Encourage Others to Join the Christmas Cheer
The best part of Write a Friend Month is that it’s totally contagious. Bring some friends, family, or even your kids along for the ride:
- Host a Card Making Afternoon
Break out snacks, holiday music, and have friends over to make and write their cards together. People love an excuse to craft, especially when cookies are involved. You could even turn it into a yearly tradition! - Organize a Holiday Letter Exchange
Set up a simple exchange at work or school where people send each other anonymous cards or notes throughout December. This builds extra excitement and spreads cheer to people who might not get much mail otherwise. - Teach Kids the Joy of Writing
A hand addressed envelope, a postage stamp, and a card they decorated themselves? That’s the good stuff. Kids love to see their art travel across the country, or even the world!
If you’re part of an online group or distant relatives chat, suggest a “virtual mail swap” where people share pictures of the cards they’ve sent out. It keeps everyone involved, even from afar.
6. Keep Track and Celebrate Your Tiny Wins
I never regret mailing a card, but sometimes I forget who I’ve written. Try a simple tracker:
- Notebook List
List out names and dates sent. It may sound basic, but it feels good to see those checkmarks add up. - Bullet Journal Spread
If you’re into bujo, design a fun tracker with Christmas colors and doodles. - Mail Selfies
Take a quick photo of each outbox pile or decorated envelope. It’s a fun way to look back on your holiday cheer delivery. - Celebrate Milestones
Set a small treat for yourself after mailing five or ten letters. Maybe a special mug of cocoa or picking out a new set of fun stamps as a reward.
Don’t stress about missing a day; just keep going and enjoy the process. Even one card is worth celebrating. And remember, the most important part is the connection, not perfection. Each letter you send is a mini celebration of friendship and festivity.
Final Thoughts
Write a Friend Month, especially at Christmas, is a gentle nudge to slow down and connect with people in a way that’s almost rare these days. Whether you write one heartfelt note or fill the whole month with festive postcards, both you and your friends will feel that extra bit of joy. So, grab your pens, pull out your stickers, and see where your words take you. With each envelope, you’re spreading happiness, one mailbox at a time.
Have you tried celebrating Write a Friend Month before? What’s your favorite kind of holiday mail to send or receive? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
Oh, and if you want to introduce a kid to the wonderful hobby of letter writing, Grandma’s Letter Exchange is the perfect book to inspire just that.