Oh, here in the States they are very real, and usually very eyeroll-inducing! I've never sent one nor felt the need to, but this year I did receive one from my cousin, who has never sent one out before, at least not that I remember. We are very close and she will be coming to my house for Christmas Eve, so I will have to ask her what prompted her to indulge this year.

I've noticed that my mother-in-law has received a few over the years too. To me, they are the snail-mail equivalent of Facebook: "Hey everyone, look at me and how awesome my family is! Oh, except for our trials and tribulations, please feel free to feel sorry for us! But we are strong and will rise above, so bask in our strength and superiority!"

Apologies to anyone I may have offended...

@Gothish520 said:

Oh, here in the States they are very real, and usually very eyeroll-inducing!** I've never sent one nor felt the need** to, but this year I did receive one from my cousin, who has never sent one out before, at least not that I remember. We are very close and she will be coming to my house for Christmas Eve, so I will have to ask her what prompted her to indulge this year.

I've noticed that my mother-in-law has received a few over the years too. To me, they are the snail-mail equivalent of Facebook: "Hey everyone, look at me and how awesome my family is! Oh, except for our trials and tribulations, please feel free to feel sorry for us! But we are strong and will rise above, so bask in our strength and superiority!"

Apologies to anyone I may have offended...

Same here.

Hard to believe that people really think others (even relatives) are THAT interested in what they’ve been up to during the year.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

I've received group-family-picture (in matching outfits) holiday cards; but never a letter.

Do people really send out holiday letters sharing their family's glorious accomplishments during the year? If so, has anyone ever sent one and/or received one. (No and No for me.)

Or, is it just a made-up-for-entertainment-sake thing?

---

If I did a list for a holiday letter, it would be pretty much like L&P's.

My family received many for years (especially when I was a teenager), but they seem to be falling out of favor (at least amongst my friends). I think perhaps over time people realized they were not always well received. One year after stomaching several nauseating ones, I wrote an over-the-top joke one and enclosed it for my closest family and friends. I remember laughing until I cried writing it. I only wish I had kept a copy!

I think it's fine to share the events of your life with people, but I generally only do it under one circumstance: when I'm asked.

@Lemons said:

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

I've received group-family-picture (in matching outfits) holiday cards; but never a letter.

Do people really send out holiday letters sharing their family's glorious accomplishments during the year? If so, has anyone ever sent one and/or received one. (No and No for me.)

Or, is it just a made-up-for-entertainment-sake thing?

---

If I did a list for a holiday letter, it would be pretty much like L&P's.

My family received many for years (especially when I was a teenager), but they seem to be falling out of favor (at least amongst my friends). I think perhaps over time people realized they were not always well received. One year after stomaching several nauseating ones, I wrote an over-the-top joke one and enclosed it for my closest family and friends. I remember laughing until I cried writing it. I only wish I had kept a copy!

I think it's fine to share the events of your life with people, but I generally only do it under one circumstance: when I'm asked.

Well-said! And oh, I wish you had kept a copy too, I would love to read it!

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

I've received group-family-picture (in matching outfits) holiday cards; but never a letter.

Do people really send out holiday letters sharing their family's glorious accomplishments during the year? If so, has anyone ever sent one and/or received one. (No and No for me.)

Or, is it just a made-up-for-entertainment-sake thing?

---

If I did a list for a holiday letter, it would be pretty much like L&P's.

Never heard of anyone doing that and I never would. On Christmas we show up , eat, talk , watch some TV, exchange gifts , drink not necessarily in that order.

A letter celebrating your families glorious accomplishments sounds incredibly Victorian and old fashioned to me.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

I've received group-family-picture (in matching outfits) holiday cards; but never a letter.

Do people really send out holiday letters sharing their family's glorious accomplishments during the year? If so, has anyone ever sent one and/or received one. (No and No for me.)

Or, is it just a made-up-for-entertainment-sake thing?

---

If I did a list for a holiday letter, it would be pretty much like L&P's.

Yes they are horrendous! The worst part is like when they write paragraphs of what their kids are up to and what their kids enjoy these days. Like who gives a SH*T about any of that?