I Swear By My Grandma’s 30-Year Old Holiday Tradition (It Instantly Lifts Spirits!)

The holiday season brings on an abundance of cheer. People’s spirits are lifted, and holiday traditions are in full swing.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions was eagerly awaiting my grandmother’s Christmas cards. I have such fond memories of them; every year, she would send out the best cards with heartfelt messages inside. I looked forward to them because they were simple, but very intentional and genuine. Because I loved this tradition so much, eight years ago I decided to adopt it. I am drawn to more stress-free tasks, so this one was fitting for me. Now each year I send out my own Christmas cards to family and friends. 

To begin, I typically purchase my cards from Trader Joe’s because they’re cute and affordable (normally $1). I intentionally select the ones that I believe the recipient would love based on the design or the sentiment on the front. This step is very important because it’s all about making sure the card feels personal to them. 

Once I have the cards, I wait for the perfect moment to write in them. I believe it’s important to write when you’re feeling energized and in a good mood. When the time is right and I’m settled, I’ll get into a cozy spot and make some hot cocoa to get me in the holiday spirit. I also will either listen to music or watch a Christmas movie like How The Grinch Stole Christmas to help me relax and feel cozy.

As I write in each card, I tailor each message to the person. It might be a simple note of thank you for being a great person, or a positive affirmation if I know a loved one had a tough year. I always take my time because I want each person to feel appreciated and know that they mean something special to me. Depending on how many I am writing, this process can take up to one hour. 

Once I’ve written all the cards, I mail the cards out a week before Christmas so everyone receives it on Christmas Eve. It’s a great feeling to hear that people loved receiving my cards — especially in this digital age. It’s a simple, thoughtful, and intentional way to end the year, and there’s nothing like hand-written cards. 

While Christmas may have passed, don’t let that stop you from adopting this tradition. You can carry this tradition on into any holiday like New Year’s Eve. Writing New Year’s Eve cards is a great way to kick off a new year with positivity and good intentions. This will also remind the people you care about how much they mean to you whether they’re near or far — and that’s what the holiday season is all about. 

Thank you, Grandma, for instilling this tradition in me. If this is something that you’ve always wanted to do, now’s the time to take on this tradition too.