Holiday "brag letters"

[ZTAngel]

We got one from a friend of mine's mother. She talked about her recent divorce to her husband and how she changed her last name back to her maiden name so that she had no ties to that "lying man". She's not bitter. One of the funniest things I've ever read.

[AOIIsilver]

I actually sent one of these letters for the first time this year. I really tried to make it funny while letting people know what we have been up to.... I left out the really sad things, like my grandmother's passing and my surgery; omitted really bragging sounding things, like awards; and opted instead for punches at Mr. Silver's sports fanatic antics. We included a picture. I think they went over very well...Most people found the letter hysterical.

We actually LIKE getting the "braggy" letters. Always interesting seeing how people view themselves...
Silver

[juniorgrrl]

I had a friend from grade school who moved to TX. We've stayed in touch, and her family always sends a brag letter to us.

We never thought anything of it, until this girl's mom sent one to us talking about how much they were looking forward to retirement at their little cabin in east texas and what a wonderful year they'd had - THE YEAR MY FATHER DIED.

They had been at the funeral. She should have had the consideration to skip this happy sunny letter about their wonderful life. It would have taken .004 seconds to not put it in our card.

[ZTAMich]

My mom's college friend always sends a nice one with updates on the family, which includes 4 daughters around my age. This year I learned the one who's exactly my age got married. First friend I've known since I was an infant to get married!! It was soo sweet to see her wedding pictures in the letter and about the wedding on their website. Brought tears to my eyes a little ya know?

[winnieb]

We have a friend that receives a brag letter from another friend each year-- we all read it, as they are UNREAL!!!!!

Last year she went into details about a colon scoping she had, and then graphic details about her intestine surgery-- and the after effects on her bowels.

This year the letter told all about her her ex-husband and his new wife. She was very clear that she hates the ex- and how he is destroying the kids lives. She continues on how she would do anything to keep her kids from seeing him, but for the time the courts are making her continue with visitation. We also heard all about the family consoluer they are seeing. Let's just say the ex husband would have some serious ammunition in court with the year's letter.

The things people will tell in a letter-- wow~!!!!

-wendi

[ISUKappa]

Originally posted by ZTAMich
My mom's college friend always sends a nice one with updates on the family, which includes 4 daughters around my age. This year I learned the one who's exactly my age got married. First friend I've known since I was an infant to get married!! It was soo sweet to see her wedding pictures in the letter and about the wedding on their website. Brought tears to my eyes a little ya know?

This is what we try and do, nothing gushy, just a pleasant update. I do handwrite a little something in the card, too, even if it's just Happy Holidays, but after having to do wedding invitations and thank yous, I was all writing-ed out this year!

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by ISUKappa
This is what we try and do, nothing gushy, just a pleasant update. I do handwrite a little something in the card, too, even if it's just Happy Holidays, but after having to do wedding invitations and thank yous, I was all writing-ed out this year!

I think that little handwritten note is the best. Such a nice personal touch. The friend who sent the letter I mentioned above wrote on the card "We miss seeing you!!" which was so nice since we don't live near each other anymore. Our family use to stop in and visit on car-trips upstate.

[honeychile]

My guess is it's all in how you present it. Not all bragging, not too much detail. I'm thinking of last year's that I wrote, and it was something like:

Mr. honeychile & I started the year by getting engaged. Mixed blessing as his dad had just passed away - but he had known that mr. honeychile was about to propose; no date set.

Took the DAR genealogical course; DC post-9/11

Met some online friends.

Went to the Soccer Convention in Dallas.

Roughly 50 hours after I returned, my daddy died suddenly: We're bravely struggling.

My mama got a little bichon to keep her company.

Wonderful wishes to all, etc, etc!


Of course, it's a bit more fleshed out, but that's the idea. As I said before, I simply was incapable of writing, "My daddy died" close to 100 times.

And I stand by my birth video statement!!

[MeLikey]

We got one from a family friend this year, my mom showed me hers from last year too, it wasn't too bad. I told my mom we should do one, haha.

[WLFEO]

My mom sends out those letters every year and sometimes I cringe! She usually has an embarassing verb to describe me, such as "blossoming" or "flourishing." The worst part is that she raised me believing that sending out cards with no picture or letter is a waste of time, so I hardly ever sent any out because I thought I could not do it perfectly enough. Thankfully I'm over that now- I try to include a picture if I haven't seen the people in a while but I haven't attempted a letter in a LOOONNNNNGGGGGG time.

My brother writes the funniest ones, though- they rhyme like a Dr. Suess poem or other funny stuff. One year he wrote it like a detective who was investigating their family activities. This year is was written from how the dog views the family. I thought they were all good.

I like reading my friends' letters if they aren't too braggy! I like the basic information. If they are too braggy, you just know something's got to be wrong and they're in denial.

[UKDaisy]

I love these brag letters!!!! My mom always gets a bogus one from a high school friend who moved to Florida. Anyway, this woman tells us all about her jet skis, her husband the doctor, and their lil' boy who plays hockey. Funny, mom found out from another high school friend that the husband got caught selling illegal diet pills.

But the best was from an old friend who is beautifully cynical. So her letter was wonderful for not hearing from them in forever. It wrote something like this

" well, I hope you and your daughter are doing well. I am doing wonderful since I found out that my perfect husband, you know the one in the military with all of those military honors and badges, well, anyway - I found out there was a third partner in the marriage. Also to my great surprise is that the third partner happened to be a beautiful, well-built, 28 year old man. But the divorce has worked out well, since by not taking him to court I have saved money for the lawyers and....he's given me the house! I hope your life has brought all the new joys that mine has! Take care! "

She's doing well though! But it was funny to read after we knew she was doing ok and happy with everything.

[James]

I sponsor a girl from one of those lesser developed countries through some Save-The-Kids fund . . where out of every dollar I give 90 cents goes to paying administrators or feeding their Spokes People . .. Anyway This was my holiday Letter:

Dear ______

I am so glad to hear you are doing well! I am sorry to hear about the Drought and Famine that your nation is going through. Its been completely hectic here. I was planning a serious party fopra friend of mine and there were so many details.

It took forever to get the pool drained of all the excessive water. And then it rained and rained. I didn';t think the weather was ever going to dry out for the party! Luckily it finally did and everyone had a great time. But the clean-up! My God, the mess was totally out of this world. The sheer volume of food we had to throw away was amazing. It was a mess we had to fight the neighborhood dogs off.

The picture I enclosed is my friends splashing in the pool, in the background you can see the huge stuffed pig oin the buffet table.

Anyway, I hope you continue to do well.

Best,

James

PS. Did you like the comb I sent you?

[wrigley]

Several years ago a local columnist encouraged readers to send in holiday "brag letters" that they thought were obnoxious. Sections of the best ones were posted in a column devoted to it. They were classic. Even funnier, this one woman recognized that it was her family letter that was posted there. She wrote a letter to the editor complaining about how people just don't appreciate the effort she put into it and how it wasn't bragging. Yeah right.

[ISUKappa]

Originally posted by ariesrising
Anyway, i wrote a parody of it about our family, and my section had:

"Her spare time is spent hacking into government military bases, rigging awards shows, dancing the lead in Giselle with the Royal Winnipeg ballet, and in the new year will be performing a solo at the Opening Ceremony of the Salt Lake City Olympics before she takes on coaching duties of Team Canada.
Interests: crime scene investigation, blood spatter evidence and planning theme weddings for celebrities."

LOL! That's great! I bet some people would have gotten a real kick out of it!