4 minute read
How to Write the Most Christmassy of Christmas Cards
ARTICLE Kevin Niezen
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At long last, Christmas is here. You can expect lofty spirits, colorful decorations, wondrous ornaments, snowy landscapes, resplendent Christmas trees, sumptuous banquets, bubbly-sweet drinks, and just about anything that takes our collective mind off the coronavirus pandemic.
The last months have been filled with endless discussions of a pandemic hell-bent on stealing the headlines from a narcissistic US president. You might be forgiven for wishing for simpler times, for example when the most unexpected of developments was a warm, sunny day in Iceland that prompted us to dust off our shorts and actually wear them outside. You must already be tired of so many twists and turns the likes of which have earned 2020 the title of “most nefarious and inexplicable year in recent history,” effectively dethroning the defending champion, 2016. But here we are, riding the wave of unexpected madness and unthinkable circumstance. Considering the numerous afflictions the year has foisted upon us, thinking of Christmas seems kind of trivial. After all, so many international holidays have been affected by the pandemic that it would be terribly naïve of us to even consider that Christmas would fare any better. And yet, what is our tiny world if not a collection of foolhardy people let loose to embark on all manner of unimaginably senseless and foolish ventures? In other words, let us be dumb and hopeful for the sake of it and celebrate our harmless ingenuity by addressing an important element of the Christmas spirit: Christmas cards. If anyone is watching us from above, they can probably forgive us for having limited Christmas decorations, smaller trees, or less than extravagant dinners this year, but I would bet my meager salary in these krona-crunching times that they will not allow us the transgression of forgetting about Christmas cards. Even if you do not believe in a higher power, you surely have a conscience and would not dare forgive yourself for not writing at least one very Christmassy Christmas card during the holidays. This begs the question: How does one write a very Christmassy Christmas card?
This is an excellent query, and I am sure there are numerous websites, books, articles, journals, and even diaries that delve into the complexities of the topic. But why would you consult them when you can rely on the friendly advice of a team of eager students who write for the Student Paper? Because you have put your trust in us, we will share with you our best recommendations on how to write the most Christmassy of Christmas cards.
STEP ONE: THE BIG DECISION
First, you should know that the first step in writing a Christmas card is actually the first step in writing every single letter or card that ever existed: You must identify the recipient. The important thing to remember in this regard is that you have a choice. You did not choose who your parents were, certainly not who your siblings turned out to be, and depending on what you believe, neither did you choose who you fell in love with. But remember that you can always choose the recipient of your Christmassy Christmas card.
STEP TWO: THE SETUP
Most writers find this part of the process unnecessary; they do not find relevant connections between the establishment of a setup and the flow of inspiration. In fact, there is a popular saying among writers that goes like this: “Amateurs sit down and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get to work.” With all due respect to the wise, literate, and seasoned writers of the world: You certainly have written very few Christmassy Christmas cards if you consider the setup to be unimportant. The setup is not only key, it is everything. Find the most Christmassy scene in the vicinity. If no place nearby fits the bill, then put up some lights and wear a red or green sweater; try buying Christmas-tree-scented candles; if none of the aforementioned applies, then close your eyes and visualize a cozy, warm cottage ornamented with multicolor lights spewing out merry notes, the symphony blending in seamlessly with the sight of a tall, glowing Christmas tree. At the foot of the tree, there’s a pile of colorful presents scattered over a red-green carpet. Follow the lights hanging on the ceiling, skillfully drawing the contours of a window overlooking a snowy landscape. The sky is dark blue and the world is jovially starry. It’s Christmastime.
STEP THREE: WHAT TO WRITE
The final step is the most crucial. With your recipient already chosen and your Christmassy setup ready, what follows is a simple yet consequential question: What should I write? The best advice we can give you is to think with your heart. Too often, our enlightened world favors the use of reason instead of the vagaries of emotion, but Christmas being such a fabulous holiday, the idea of surrendering ourselves to the whims of our heartbeats is not an unthinkable prospect. In other words, write as your heart chooses. A word, a drawing, a simple sentence, it doesn’t matter. All that matters in the end is that the most Christmassy of Christmas cards is an act of love. Remember this, and your Christmas card will be more than a work of art; it will be a small piece of your heart for someone to treasure. We wish you a Merry Christmas full of merry Christmassy Christmas card writing!
