3 Helpful Christmas Letter Ideas for This Year

Why Christmas Comes to My House for 10 Minutes in October

It’s 85 degrees from where I sit today, but my favorite department store already has aisles dedicated to the most wonderful time of the year. Lights, ornaments and smells fill the shelves and beckon us to bring on the season in all its glory. But it’s October, and to be honest, I’m nowhere near ready to switch from pumpkin to peppermint. Up until a few years ago, I would roll my eyes at all things Christmas in October. But then I made a helpful connection: when the stores roll out the Christmas swag, it’s my cue to send my sponsored child a Christmas card. I order the peppermint mocha, put on the Christmas music and pen words of hope to my sponsored child in the Philippines. It takes ten minutes, tops.

Why Should I Write a Christmas Card in October?

Even though you and I can quickly type a digital letter, our sponsored children still use good old-fashioned paper. Letter delivery is an elaborate and impressive process that I often take for granted. Translation, quality checks, sorting and distribution can sometimes take a few weeks. And although Compassion country offices work diligently to deliver letters in the most efficient and cost-effective way, they sometimes must go the extra mile (literally) to deliver in remote areas.

For example, in Ghana, letters travel dozens of miles by motorbike and boat before they are delivered to children at the Adidome Global Child Development Center. So it’s important to write in October to ensure that your card arrives to your sponsored child in time for Christmas.

What Should I Write in a Christmas Card to My Sponsored Child?

Fill your Christmas card with words of hope! Your message will underscore the significance of the most celebrated day of the year. Here are a few other ideas to get started:

1. Write a prayer for the year ahead.

   Share your prayer for your sponsored child for the New Year. It can be really simple, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Your sponsored child treasures your prayers!

   For example: I pray you will grow in your love for Jesus this year.

2. Write about the highlight of your year.

   Just as you want to know about your sponsored child’s life, they want to learn as much as they can about yours! Now is your opportunity to share your year’s highlight and give them a glimpse of your life. What made it a great year? Share it with them!

   For example: The best thing that happened to me this year was when I got to visit friends and family for my birthday; it was so special. What was your favorite moment?

3. Share how you celebrate Christmas.

   Christmas is celebrated in different ways around the world. For example, some families carve radishes into nativity scene figures in rural Mexico! Every family has special traditions. Do you watch Christmas movies? Sing Christmas carols standing around the piano? However you celebrate, the child you sponsor and their family will enjoy hearing about your plans for Christmas Day.

   For example: On Christmas Day, I attend church with my family, and then we spend the afternoon at the beach. How does your family celebrate Christmas?

How Should I Send a Christmas Card?

Use a pen, paper and postal service or hop online and type directly into a cute Christmas card template. But however you write, I encourage you to channel the department store vibes and enjoy the mocha while you do it. It’s time well spent, and fall will be waiting for you when you finish.

Send Your Christmas Letter Today!