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Ok fellow stampers. Each year I write a Christmas letter and then my DH edits it. This year I told him to just get it going himself. Anyway.... This is the intro he wrote. (The rest of the letter is really pretty great) I'm thinking that it might not be the most appropriate beginning. What do you think?
Dear friends and family,
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!!!! Or all that stuff that we are supposed to be happy about this time of year!! Commercialism has made this holiday a dam farce in my opinion and I’m about fricken sick of spending money on all those things we don’t really want, but buy anyway because we feel obligated to return the favor of giving something no person in their right mind would buy for themselves. Call me a Grinch! Well maybe your just green with envy because you feel the same way. Hope this finds you broke on your *** and buried in credit card receipts with no way to turn! Happy Fricken Holidays to you and your broke *** family too!!!!!!
Honestly we just got a boring letter the other day......
"we started 2007 with a family trip to Hawaii and when we returned we moved into our new home!"
It was litterally just the most disgusting letter ever. Everything was 'look at what I got', 'look at what I did'......yawn.
I told my DH that if we ever send out a family letter we HAVE to mention hard time as well as good. What's the point in glossing over your year to only mention happy times?
Anyway, keep it. It would make my day if someone sent me something unexpected this time of year.
honestly, I'd be really put off by something like that. His thought is funny, it's just the execution of the idea that is not exactly said in a nice way. And the swearing might be a bit much for people who might actually find that offensive. Is there any way to say to him, this is funny but can you tone it down a little bit?
__________________ Now I see the secret of making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth. -- Walt Whitman
I have to agree that I'm not a big fan of the sappy Christmas letter, and find truth in what your dh wrote, but I think it's a bit too harsh. You will have to work it out with him, though. Good luck!
original concept is good...but execution is too heavy. Tone it down, and make it lighter...could be very funny! I think we all share some of those sentiments.
I don't really care for these type of holiday recaps, and this one is a real downer. Type it up, then trash it.
I you can't say something nice, then just send a card.
I guess since I don't know you or your husband personally, it's difficult to put this into context. If I got this from a friend or an acquaintance I would be put off. It really seems mean spirited. IMHO.
Is it possible he wrote it this way thinking you would change it anyway and would never ask him to do it again, and that was the reaction he was hoping for?? You know, sort of a reverse psychology idea?
I agree with some of the others - it is a bit harsh. I agree that some of Christmas letters are over the top, but no one wants to be cussed at in a letter either. Or pick the recipients carefully.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
I would definitely NOT like receiving that.
Anyway i really don't like ergonomic letters at Christmas..too boring..I always take the extra few minutes to write a short personal note to special faraway family and friends..just my own opinion..
Christmas is being changed enough ..with the no ho ho ho..and the merry holiday..i will still say Merry Christmas and Santa will always say ho ho ho around here..lol.
loves ya
__________________ Gail
When the world says give up, hope whispers, try one more time.
I must be one of the very few that would LOVE a letter like that......but then again, my family is twisted and bizarre and we'd probably all be rolling on our butts in laughter over it, knowing that it was done in jest.
There are definitely some that would be offended, but I'm guessing that your hubby was just being silly and honest at the same time and probably wouldn't send it to EVERYONE on your list.
Of course, my hubby and I don't purchase holiday gifts for each other or our children (see my post here to understand where I'm coming from: http://stampinmama.typepad.com/stamp...click-win.html ), so it wouldn't be a biggie to me if I got it in the mail from him.
Maybe it just helped him vent some of his frustration over the commercialism our society is steeped in and venting like that can often times be very healthy.....I write things out for myself a lot just to get my thoughts out and off my chest.....I don't usually send them out, though. haha! And if I do, I usually have to backspace about 10 pages of type in red to get to the only paragraph that's actually usable and non-offensive to send. *wink*
I actually just created a card today for a friend that has just as wicked a sense of humor as I do.....and mailed it off to him today. I cut pictures out of toys and electronics from magazines and pasted them all over the card and labeled it, "Merry Material-mas." Of course, I packed a couple packets of hot cocoa in there to sweeten it up......but I wouldn't have sent that card out to too many people maybe other than my family. But this is an inside joke he and I have and he will totally snarf his butt off when he opens that package.
And I also put the attached picture in there, as well.
Like I said, we share the same wicked sense of humor.
I must be one of the very few that would LOVE a letter like that......but then again, my family is twisted and bizarre and we'd probably all be rolling on our butts in laughter over it, knowing that it was done in jest.
There are definitely some that would be offended, but I'm guessing that your hubby was just being silly and honest at the same time and probably wouldn't send it to EVERYONE on your list.
Of course, my hubby and I don't purchase holiday gifts for each other or our children (see my post here to understand where I'm coming from: http://stampinmama.typepad.com/stamp...click-win.html ), so it wouldn't be a biggie to me if I got it in the mail from him.
Maybe it just helped him vent some of his frustration over the commercialism our society is steeped in and venting like that can often times be very healthy.....I write things out for myself a lot just to get my thoughts out and off my chest.....I don't usually send them out, though. haha! And if I do, I usually have to backspace about 10 pages of type in red to get to the only paragraph that's actually usable and non-offensive to send. *wink*
I actually just created a card today for a friend that has just as wicked a sense of humor as I do.....and mailed it off to him today. I cut pictures out of toys and electronics from magazines and pasted them all over the card and labeled it, "Merry Material-mas." Of course, I packed a couple packets of hot cocoa in there to sweeten it up......but I wouldn't have sent that card out to too many people maybe other than my family. But this is an inside joke he and I have and he will totally snarf his butt off when he opens that package.
And I also put the attached picture in there, as well.
Like I said, we share the same wicked sense of humor.
If I got this, as soon as I read the first sentence the letter would go in the trash probably along with your card. Sorry. I'm one of those 'throw up Christmas' kinda people and to have someone basically crap all over it, teasing or not, is rough.
Actually I dislike family Christmas letters anyways. I usually just skim through then toss them.
I don't find it particularly offensive, but I think it's probably a little too harsh. And it could definitely use some word usage corrections - your vs. you're, etc.
I love getting family letters and think I have a pretty good sense of humor, but no, this isn't funny, it comes across as angry, IMHO.
Exactly. I have a very dry sense of humor (and have offended many with it), but this sounds to me like he really means what he's saying, and if that's the case it's not really appropriate to be sending it out to friends and family this time of year. Why wreck their fun? If he's trying to be funny, he needs to lighten it up a little. JMHO.
If you decide to keep it you could add a little disclaimer at the bottom of the letter...
*The views and opinions of this Christmas letter do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or position of the wife and children of the author.
I think that would add a little humor and he'll take the heat if there are any disgruntled relatives!
I don't like the Christmas letters either. I, too, after reading the first sentence would throw this in the trash. It's ugly and while the sentiment may be correct that the meaning of Christmas has been lost in commercialism, the harshness of the letter can be expressed in a less extreme way and still get the message across.
__________________ McFadden/MacHappy Ho /Kash So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.1 Cor 10:31
I think it would be funny to get...if I knew the person really well. I think a lot of people would be offended but that is exactly the type of letter my family would send to one another. DH's family? They would all drop dead of heart attacks! Hmmm.....should I?...no, just kiddin'!!!
I think Christmas and the stress of it all is hard enough to get through sane and happy.... getting a letter like this would just bring me down. I'd be angry someone sent it to me.
Add me to the "it's too much" votes. I get the idea, and some would find it funny, but I wouldn't appreciate a letter like that at Christmas time. In my family a letter like that would spark discussions of what is wrong with him or theories about who has "burned" him lately to make him seem so bitter... even if meant as a joke.
t's ugly and while the sentiment may be correct that the meaning of Christmas has been lost in commercialism, the harshness of the letter can be expressed in a less extreme way and still get the message across.
I'd have to agree. I think it's very off-putting.
__________________ ~ Alexis, mom to Matthew (born April 7) and the Furry Horde
Both dh and I loved it. But this "Hope this finds you broke on your *** and buried in credit card receipts with no way to turn!" But we really strive for no debt, so we really would not want someone buried in cc receipts.
DH has a very dry humor and agree's with the letter. I guess it would depend on who you sent it to.
Although I got a chuckle out of it--- and not knowing your husband's sense of humor, I'd have to say I wouldn't like getting this letter either.
I agree that Christmas has gotten way too materialistic, but there's so much negative going on in the world already.. Christmas is a time of joy. That letter is too much of a downer.
I pulled up the letter today to read it to my mom and that entire first paragraph was gone. So,... I'm assuming that this first part was just for my benefit. Isn't he precious?!?
Although the holiday has become much more commercialized that I would like and I don't wish debt on anyone, I would not have sent out the letter as it was written.
My view on the Christmas letter: I'm not a big fan of "the letter", sometimes that's the only time we get to communicate. I like to know what grade the kids are in and what activities they are involved in. Are they still working for the same place. etc. I get very frustrated when I just receive a family photo and while a card is always nice. I still like to know what's up. Just my opinion.
So, no the letter will not go out as originally typed. I'm sorry for those who were offended, I do hope that some got a chuckle out of it. :-D
Merry, Merry Christmas and a glorious & wonderous stamping New Year to everyone!!
Christmas letter opinion...
