To make the holiday postmark even more fun, you might also want to consider adding a custom Christmas stamp to your envelopes. Then your postmark can be added to the special stamp you create.

To get your Christmas postmarks, simply address, stamp and seal your Christmas letters as you normally would, and then place them all in a larger envelope or box. Address the larger package to “Postmaster: Christmas Re-Mailing” with the city, state and zip codes below. The postal workers in these Christmas-y cities will then open your package, cancel your Christmas letters with a festive postmark and send them on their way.

There is no additional charge for this service (you just pay the regular U.S. postage rates), but be sure to leave plenty of time for the post office to deliver.

To get an idea of the type of postmarks available, see the images below. These are examples of real cancellations from Christmas-themed cities. Note, however, that the design may change from year to year, so the images depicted here may not be what is stamped on your letters this year.

Happy letter writing!

North Pole, AK 99709
Christmas postmark
Nazareth, PA 18064
Christmas postmark
Santa, ID 83866
Christmas postmark
Santa Claus, IN 47579
Christmas postmark
Noel, MO 64854
Christmas postmark

If you need some holiday paper to print your Christmas letter, you can get a variety of designs online immediately at Blue Mountain Greetings. Sign up for the 30-day free trial membership and you’ll get access to printable Christmas letter templates and envelopes, such as the images shown below, as well as printable and electronic holiday cards and other projects. To see their Christmas selection, click Create and Print from the homepage, select Holidays, click Christmas and then select Stationery.

An inexpensive alternative is to create your own Christmas letter paper with clipart. Visit our page on how to add a watermark for one idea on how to do this.

Now, rather than relying on the USPS for a handful of holiday postage stamp designs, you can create your own or select from a large variety of Christmas postage stamps available online, such as the Santa stamp shown above. Of course, you pay a bit more for custom U.S. postage stamps. But if you feel like splurging a bit for some once-a-year fun, custom Christmas postage stamps are a great way to add sparkle to your envelopes. It’s simple and fun.

Here’s how to do it. Surf over to Zazzle.com or Photo Stamps.com and follow these instructions. Be sure to have a photo or image saved as a .jpg image to your computer before you begin. If you don’t have a special photo or artwork you’d like to use, you can also simply purchase one of the many designs available at Zazzle, such as the Santa stamp above or the North Pole stamp below.

How to Create a Christmas Stamp at Zazzle.com from your own photos or artwork
1. From the homepage, select “And 100s more” from the CREATE tab in the top navigation bar.
2. Scroll down until you see “Create custom postage.”
3. In the “Get Started” popup window, click the Select Image link and then click the My Computer button to browse for your file. When you’ve found it, select Add Image.
4. Add text, if you like, in the optional text box.
5. Click the “Make it Now” button to see the preview.
6. Make any changes you like with the “Customize It” box that allows you to move the image, change text fonts and other tasks.
7. When you’re satisfied, click Add to Cart and follow the checkout process. You’re done!

How to Create a Christmas Stamp at PhotoStamps.com from your own photos or artwork
1. From the homepage, click Create PhotoStamps.
2. Click the Browse button to find the image on your computer and hit Next to see the preview.
3. Customize your stamp by zooming, rotating, changing the text color or the border and then click Continue.
4. Follow the checkout process. That’s it!

Here’s how to add a watermark to a Word document. These instructions are for Word 2007.

1. From the Page Layout tab, click Watermark in the Page Background box.
2. Click on Custom Watermark and then select Picture Watermark from the pop-up window that appears.
3. Select the picture you want to use and then click Insert.
4. If you want the picture to appear a certain size, select a percentage under Scale.
5. Be sure the Washout check box is checked to lighten the picture and make sure it doesn’t interfere with the ability to read text.
6. That’s it! You’re ready to start typing your Christmas letter.

Your letter readers will be snickering behind your back about your bragging, however, if you say, “Joe’s baseball team was so amazing this year, all the kids were outstanding and the coach was fabulous. The season was unbelievably amazing, and they went all the way to the state championship, where Joe scored the winning homerun by knocking it out of the park.” It’s too long with too many adjectives. Keep it simple and avoid the bragfest.

2. Focus on the highlights. Sure, you survived another 365 days in the past year, but not every one of them deserves to be mentioned in your Christmas letter. Pick three or four important events to mention in your letter and write a few sentences about each.

3. Write a first draft. Sit down and write your first draft without slowing to make every sentence or paragraph perfect. Just focus on what comes to your mind and try to include all the important points you want to include in your final version. Then put it aside for a few hours or overnight.

4. Read your draft out loud – and then rewrite. Now that you’ve got all the essentials on paper, read what you wrote, preferably to someone who will give you honest feedback. Is it too long? Did you fall into the bragging trap? Go back and edit anything that sounded too long-winded or awkward out loud, and then read it again. Your readers will thank you.

5. Add a personal note. Another common complaint against form Christmas letters is they’re too impersonal. You can avoid this pitfall by adding a quick note at the bottom of each letter. A single sentence or two will let the reader know you cared enough to take time to address them personally.

That’s it! You’ve survived another year of Christmas letters and won’t have to do it again for another 365 days.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.

May the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your loved ones.

May the Joy and Peace of Christmas be with you now and throughout the new year.

May the peace and joy of the holiday season be with you throughout the coming year.

Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a happy new year.

Peace On Earth and best wishes throughout the New Year

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day. – Helen Steiner Rice

Seasons Greetings and best wishes for the New Year
Season’s greetings with all good wishes for the new year.

The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas

Best wishes for the holidays and for health and happiness throughout the coming year.

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy your heart with love and your life with laughter.

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year.

Wishing you Christmas happiness to warm your heart and to fill your home with special joy.

To a joyful present and a well remembered past. Best wishes for Happy holidays and a magnificent New Year.

To wish you the special gifts of this holiday season – peace, joy and lasting happiness.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year.

A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for the coming year… These make a Merry Christmas!
- John Greenleaf Whittier