We used to be a literate nation, America. We read, we wrote. Can you name any good writers from the past 40 years? Of course not. That’s not the country we live in anymore. We’ve traded Henry James (a titan of literature) for LeBron James (a writer of subpar force). We’ve swapped communication for lolwut txting.

To be honest, it could be worse. At least we expunged cursive. That was long overdue for expulsion.

Anyway, when you have to Google the “traditional Christmas letter,” then there’s just nothing left to say.

That’s why we’re Writing All Wrong.

Hey, I had a great idea for a story. Hear me out: it’s about a girl in the city who—[DELETED]

—Maureen Moore, Orange Park, FL. 

Sorry about that, Maureen. There’s a Christmas tradition to save. Your answer: no.

Rather than share the lost tradition of the traditional Christmas letters (begun by Pliny the Older) or learn you in how to write these things, I’ll share my own work as a guideline. Enjoy.

Dear Everyone,

Hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas season! We know times have probably been harder on you than they’ve been on us,¹ but the holidays are here and full of cheer.

It’s been a full year for the Writing All Wrong camp, and we’ve taken the time this holiday season to reflect on our fortune, reaching out in love to let you know what’s been going on in our neck of the woods. We sincerely wish we could come visit with you all²—maybe a trip to one of³ our villas in Monte Carlo is on your agenda!

Mr. Writing All Wrong has been keeping busy, just like the rest of you,⁴ I’m sure. Writing gigs seem to roll off a conveyor belt these days, and while it’s been quite the bear to rotate between our mountain and beach properties, we’ve managed well. As always, Mrs. Writing All Wrong makes the best of our open schedule, cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing and keeping the kids (and husband) in line.⁵

Speaking of kids, Anderson just recently wrapped up his third year at Harvard, making the most of his scholarship⁶ and opportunities, majoring in Finance. We’re looking forward to the work⁷ he’s got going on in his startup. Following in footsteps of success, we hope.⁸ Hah! As for Kimberly, she’s done well to handle the pressure and delicate work-life balance of being a CEO at 25.⁹ It was just yesterday she sold lemonade on the freeway, and now she’s calling the shots for Lemonadia®. Time flies so fast!

After such a whirlwind of a year, we again send our love, joy, and riches ¹⁰ to our loved ones this holiday season. Please enjoy the accompanying gift basket of caviar, Andalusian hams, and some of our finest pepper crackers and foie gras.¹¹ We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Writing All Wrong.

Notes:

1. Have to acknowledge one’s station here.
2. No, not really.
3. We have five villas.
4. Even though some of you were laid off for the holidays…
5. She doesn’t do any of that. We’re trying to evoke the “good ol’ days,” whenever those were.
6. Full-ride with benefits, of course.
7. Like every other college junior, he has his own business, one that his snob rich parents helped him start.
8. Laughing it off makes it seem less ridiculously fortunate than it really is
9. Humblebrag. Who cares about pressure when you rake in enough buck to copyright it?
10. Didn’t send riches, sorry.
11. Didn’t send a basket. Forgot to edit that out, sorry.

Writing All Wrong can be reached via email (WritingAllWrong@me.com), followed on Twitter (@WritingAllWrong), and postmarked for traditional Christmas delivery.