More than any other time of year, we’re reminded at the holidays that we really should be better at keeping in touch. These reminders arrive from well-meaning friends and relatives in the form of carefully chosen cards and thoughtfully penned annual letters.

If the need to correspond causes you more stress than cheer, pick up the latest book from calligrapher and author Margaret Shepherd, The Art of the Personal Letter (Broadway Books, 2008), written with Sharon Hogan. Shepherd — who we surmise hand-addressed her holiday cards months ago — shares tips on all manner of written correspondence.

To make an annual holiday letter (a summary of family news and updates that’s often typed) more personal, for example, Shepherd suggests adding a handwritten note with an inquiry into how the recipient’s family is doing or mention of an upcoming visit — as well as a sentence such as “We miss you all.” Of course, there are letters that are too personal. (Though hilarious, unless you’re David Sedaris, “Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!” from Holidays on Ice probably shouldn’t be your letter template.)

Has email become the standard, or does seeing a handwritten address in your mailbox put a smile on your face this time of year?

Tags: American literature, author, Christmas card, David Sedaris, Emily Dickinson, Greeting cards, Holidays on Ice, Letter, Literature, Mail, Margaret Shepherd, Sharon Hogan, Writing