'Tis the season for intra-Shallot fighting about holiday cards. Teal Pennebaker has made her stance known ... now we wait for others (cough Tim Granholm, Molly Weissman, and others) to weigh in
Mid-November demands a cranky, openly-defiant take on holiday cards*. (Tis the season!) So here goes – an updated ‘awesome tips for holiday cards.’ Only slightly updated from last year. ?? Teal Pennebaker’s Slightly Updated, Now Totally Official Guide to Nailing Holiday Cards ?? Give a life update (or two or three or more). Love the curated photos, but let your friends and family know what happened in the past year. But also … Share the bad, too. No need to sugar coat your year … in fact, people feel more connected to others when they show vulnerability. And there’s strong research on the connection between being honest about yourself and feeling healthier. It’s OK to be political. Why hide the fact you spent the last four months obsessively checking 538, Twitter, and your favorite Substacker’s Instagram feed? Lean into how you’re feeling about things and, if any exists, why you might feel hopeful for the future. (No points deducted for owning a state of despondency.) Embrace the candids! When you’ve shelled out for a photography, you want to go with the most flattering and picture-perfect shot. But as a consumer of holiday cards (and social media), I can guarantee you that photos closer to reality are a lot more enjoyable. And relatable! Find a happy place between a novel and a haiku. You don’t need to tell everyone about the route you took to the airport on that summer trip, but provide some color on what you’ve been up to. A cool vacation, a new pet, a bad haircut, a move across town. We want some details here, people! Add a personalized note. While it’s nice to get something in the mail, it’s even better to receive a short note referencing a conversation or update specific to you. That said, if your list of recipients is long (or, like me, your handwriting is better suited for a serial killer), go ahead and skip this. Include the receipts! Or rather – some photos and/or drawings of your year. We don’t need a scrapbook, but people like seeing how your kids have grown, what pets you’ve added (or subtracted), and how your spouse’s commitment to flannel has aged. Digital works, too. While the USPS appreciates your business, an emailed card also works. We’re all on devices all day anyway – go ahead and meet us where we are. Plus it removes the anxiety of having to throw out a physical card. Clarify the author. If you’re sending a longer written card, name the narrator. Otherwise we’re left wondering … did you hire a ghostwriter? Like referring to yourself in the third person? One year, we got a holiday card that was written by someone’s dog. Not sure it landed (listen - high risk/high reward), but at least we knew who it was coming from. There you have it. May your holiday season be lovely and appropriately lengthened! *Just like in 2023, I’ve been asked by colleagues at Shallot Communications that this be clearly delineated as my own opinion and not reflective of the company’s.?