Delivering Christmas cheer: A letter-perfect holiday tradition

Terry Craig is on a mission to revive the lost art of letter writing.

As the holiday season approaches, the Saskatoon scribe’s dedication to personalized communication shines brightly, especially through his Christmas cards.

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For him, mailing out a printed photo simply doesn’t cut it.

“It’s like a present,” Craig explained, his eyes lighting up at the thought of receiving a piece of mail meant to spread Christmas cheer. “You open your mailbox and there’s something for you. It’s fun to unfold that letter and see what’s inside.”

Terry Craig sends handwritten letters to friends and family over the Christmas season. For Craig, writing is a gift — one that he hopes to inspire in others. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Craig’s love for the written word extends far beyond the festive season.

In April, he participates in National Letter Writing Month, challenging himself to write 30 letters in 30 days.

Listen to Crag on Behind the Headlines:

“You get out your address book and look at all your contacts and just send them a letter! It’s a project,” he said with enthusiasm.

The prolific writer is committed to honing his craft.

“I’ve been trying to work on my penmanship. For the longest time, I had little chicken scratch,” he admitted.

Craig said he enjoys visiting his local stationary shop in the weeks leading up to Christmas. He carefully selects cards and the inks he will use to write in them. (Soul Paper/Facebook)

He even encourages his 21-year-old grandson to write whenever he visits, starting with printing and working up to full cursive.

“He’s not grumbling about it!” Craig chuckled.

Nostalgia plays a significant role in Craig’s passion. He fondly remembered the introduction of ballpoint pens in school, having begun with dip pens.

After his father passed away, he said he discovered an assortment of vintage writing instruments.

“I found his old dip pens and nibs from the ‘30s. They’re fun to use, even if I’m a bit sloppy with them,” he said with a smile.

Craig says his cursive writing used to resemble “chicken scratch,” but he has been working diligently to improve it. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

For Craig, writing isn’t just about the message; it’s about the medium. He referenced Barry Chudakov, a visiting research fellow at the McLuhan Program in Toronto, who said “A fountain pen has become a magic wand of thought flow.” Craig couldn’t agree more, seeing his pen as a vessel of creativity and connection.

As the holiday season nears, Craig prepares his Christmas cards with care.

“When I send out Christmas cards, I like to include a little note about what we’ve done this past year,” he shared.

Unlike many who opt for a standard update, Craig said he always takes the time to personalize each message.

“I don’t know whether people appreciate it or not, but I think it’s fun to do. You’re getting it whether you like it or not!” he laughed.

“Most Christmas cards are really small and I tend to be a little wordy, so I’ll have an enclosure with the card,” he explained, delighting in the vibrant inks he uses — shades of reds and greens to match the festive spirit.

Craig says an essential part of his correspondence ritual is selecting the perfect stamp. (Soul Paper/Facebook)

In a world where electronic communication often reigns supreme, Craig is a champion for meaningful connection through the written word. Despite the Canada Post strike currently interfering with traditional mail across the country, he said physical letters are much more personal than an email or a text.

“Everybody’s in such a rush these days,” he reflected. “Computers have taken over, and texting is so easy. But letter writing requires thought.”

For Craig, writing is a gift — one that he hopes to inspire in others.

“You could start with a pencil, good lined paper, and your imagination. That’s all you need,” he said.

As the holiday season approaches, Terry Craig’s passion for letters captures the spirit of giving and connection we treasure at this time of year — one heartfelt note at a time.