December is one of those delightful months where the days feel full—but not always structured. Between baking cookies, wrapping gifts, and squeezing in seasonal outings, it can be hard to keep writing skills sharp. One of my favorite low-prep ways to blend learning with the warmth of the season is holiday letter writing for kids. It’s simple, meaningful, and something kids of all ages can enjoy. Plus, these little letters become keepsakes that grandparents, friends, and faraway relatives treasure for years.
If you’re looking for a gentle writing activity that fits naturally into a busy December, my holiday letter writing templates for kids might be the perfect addition to your homeschool rhythm. Let’s explore a few ideas and easy ways to get started.
Why Holiday Letter Writing Matters for Kids
Letter writing is a dying art, which is unfortunate considering the learning benefits packed into this simple activity!
Learning Benefits include gaining intrinsic real-world writing skills. Kids have to know their audience, their purpose for writing, and the format of a friendly letter. Instead of being more busywork, they are actually communicating with someone they love and care about. So they can practice being expressive and thoughtful, because this isn’t another one of those “If you took a ship to space…” type of assignments. Plus, don’t forget the powerful connection between the brain and the body when handwriting! (You can even work in some grammar and spelling!).
Emotional benefits are also embedded into the letter writing process. As students write, encourage them to reflect on their year. What were the highlights? What are they grateful for? Do they have any goals for the new year? Communicating these ideas to a friend or family member doesn’t just make their writing more interesting, it also cues an emotional connection. These letters will be a keepsake for parents and grandparents, and when you find it in a box twenty years from know, you’ll treasure it!
Seasonal benefits include its simplicity, versatility, and repeated usefulness. December is busy enough, so having a simple activity that requires only pen and paper is a relief. Letter writing works for multiple ages, because its complexity just grows with the student. Younger ones can dictate their words or draw. Older kids will be writing full paragraphs. Letter writing at Christmas can become part of your family tradition that you return to year after year!
Easy Ideas for Kids’ Holiday Letters
Letter Ideas to Get Started:
- A “Year in Review” letter (favorite memory, biggest challenge, something learned).
- A letter of gratitude to grandparents, teachers, or friends.
- A letter to a faraway relative sharing family traditions.
- A storytelling-style holiday letter (“A Day in My Holiday Season”).
- A letter for gift-giving (tucked into mailed presents).
Prompts You Can Include:
- “This year I learned…”
- “A holiday tradition I love is…”
- “One thing I’m thankful for…”
- “Something special I want to share with you…”
Tips for Making Letter Writing Easy + Enjoyable
- Set up a simple writing station with pens, stickers, and washi tape.
- Let kids choose their audience, whether an aunt, cousin, far-away friend, or grandparent.
- Encourage drawing with labels for younger kids.
- Keep it low-pressure—short and sweet is still meaningful.
- Turn it into a family tradition (everyone writes one letter!).
- Can’t think of anyone to write to? Write to your future self and make it a time-capsule!
Ready-Made Holiday Letter Writing Templates to Help You!
To get you started, I created these holiday letter writing templates for kids. Perfect for homeschool, classroom, or family use — this printable set helps children write heartfelt Christmas or holiday letters while practicing composition skills.
This download includes 10 winter and Christmas stationery designs with cheerful borders, plus 3 guided pages to make the process easy and educational. The guided pages include:
🎄1 Letter Writing Template (guides kids to write a letter with the proper format)
🎄 1 Holiday Word Bank (seasonal words for inspiration)
🎄 1 Keyword Outline Page (helps kids brainstorm ideas before writing)
Here are just a few skills you can cover in your holiday homeschool with these holiday letter writing templates:
- Letter writing structure (greeting, body, closing)
- Vocabulary & spelling (seasonal word bank)
- Creative thinking and planning
- Fine motor practice through handwriting
Letter writing for kids encourages meaningful connection and learning during the holidays — without stress or extra prep. It’s the perfect blend of festive fun and purposeful writing!
If you want ready-to-print pages that make this activity effortless, you can find my Holiday Letter Templates here →
I hope you are enjoyment the Homeschooling Through the Holidays Blog Series and will stay tuned for more posts!
