How To Write A Round Robin that doesn’t inspire an eye roll

Love them or hate them, round robins are a seasonal expectation come Christmas time. Even if you’ve never heard of the ‘Round Robin’ you’ll have probably received one. The festive round robin is a letter (some longer than others) typically slotted into your annual Christmas cards that describes key events that have happened that year for you and your family. They made a resurgence post-covid when it was just impossible to keep in touch with your extended network as closely as you’d like.

Some families send them like clockwork every year, and others perhaps are thinking of just starting the tradition this Christmas. To make sure your round robin is one that your friends and family look forward to, rather than eye roll at and pop straight in the shredder, I’ve pulled together a handy guide for a joyful round robin this Christmas.

The first thing to remember is that your network doesn’t need to know every detail from the last 12 months, they don’t need details on little Olivia’s potty training or Great Aunt Hilda’s birthday party. Keep the content concise, and think about the 3-4 key things that have happened in the family – for example, births, weddings, holidays, house moves, career updates or school changes. And try to include some humour – everyone loves a bit of festive cheer.

Don’t just write about the good things, if you’ve not had a good year then there’s no shame in saying so! Don’t make out that your life is perfect if it isn’t, nobody likes a bragging Christmas letter that goes on about how perfect everything is.

Share the highs and perhaps some of the challenges to create an authentic Christmas message. You never know, someone else might have had a similar battle and reach out after reading the letter with some advice, or asking for your advice on overcoming that particular hurdle!

Why not send your round robin in a personalised Christmas card? We have a huge selection of Christmas cards all with wonderfully festive designs that your friends and family would love! We can even print the whole message for you inside the card and you’ll just need to sign your names, add the address to their envelope and pop a stamp on. Make sure to include your phone number, address or email so those who you may have lost regular contact with can reach out again.

I’d also think about adding some fun photos of the family from the last twelve months. Everyone loves a visual aid and it adds a level of cuteness to the Round Robin. Plus for those far away recipients who might not have seen you for a while (old school friends, you know the like!), putting a face to the names is sometimes very helpful!

The most important thing about writing your round robin is to have fun! If you enjoy writing it then people will enjoy reading it! If you’ve done something outrageous this year then share it with your friends, perhaps include a riddle or a *hilarious* cracker joke and mention the answer will be in next year’s Round Robin, simply end on something joyful about your hopes for 2023.

I hope this little guide has been useful and inspired you to engage in the tradition this year without feeling anxious no one will read it. The worst that happens is it gets a quick glance and popped in the recycling, the best is that perhaps it will inspire someone you’ve not caught up with for a while to get back in touch.