Turning holiday card writing into a family tradition

For many families, writing holiday cards is just as important to the winter season as decorating cookies, putting ornaments the Christmas tree and hanging up holiday lights. While writing a letter seems like it would be a one-man job, you can involve the whole family and turn holiday card writing into a fun tradition that everyone looks forward to each year.

Put on festive music
Set the mood for holiday card writing with some appropriate tunes. Create a playlist of your favorite holiday songs or have a line-up of CDs handy to get the family excited about the upcoming season. No matter which holiday you celebrate, here are a few songs you may want to add to your playlist:

Christmas

• "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey
• "Christmastime is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio
• "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole
• "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Burl Ives

Hanukkah

• "The Chanukah Song" by Adam Sandler
• "Miracle" by Matisyahu
• "Candlelight" by The Maccabeats
• "Hanukkah, O Hanukkah" by Barenaked Ladies

Kwanzaa

• "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin
• "Ko-Ko" by Duke Ellington
• "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles
• "The Kwanzaa Song" by William Scott

Give everyone a different job
The more hands there are to mail holiday letters, the easier and faster the process will be! Have young children add a cute drawing to the card, which adds a personal touch. Other jobs can include writing out addresses, using designer stamps for the return address, licking envelopes, folding letters, etc. There are plenty of ways for everyone to pitch in.

Make holiday drinks and snacks
Keep hunger and thirst at bay by offering holiday drinks like hot chocolate or apple cider. Dress the beverages up with a cinnamon stick or some whipped cream and shaved chocolate. As for snacks, try these holiday favorites:

• Roasted nuts
• Peppermint bark
• Chex mix
• Caramel corn
• Roasted pumpkin seeds
• Pigs in a blanket
• Crackers and a cheese log

Thanks to drinks, tasty snacks and festive music, you have a recipe for a fun holiday tradition.