As the holiday season continues, millions of Americans will be sending out greeting cards.

Year-in-review letters accompanying Christmas cards have become a popular way to maintain connections with friends and family who have fallen out of touch.

As the trend has emerged, so has the fact that in an age of e-mail and cell phones, many people today struggle with the art of letter writing.

John Llewellyn, associate professor of communication at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., offers these rules to help people compose engaging, thoughtful letters that loved ones will look forward to reading every year.

You care for these people. Make the love and caring –- the spirit of the season –- come through in the letter.
Use vivid language to tell your story. Let them "see" the special moments. This is not a drab inventory; it is a catalog of adventures.
Leave economic gloating for some other time, if at all. If your biggest problem is where to park the spare Jaguar, don't mention it.
Enough is enough. Two pages of news is plenty and may actually be read with interest.

Mailing Tips:

Write, type, or print complete address and return address.
Don't know the ZIP code? Never guess. Use USPS.com's ZIP Code Lookup.
Use a sturdy box to protect contents and cushion the contents.
Be careful using previously mailed boxes: Old addresses and barcodes cause confusion. Mark through them completely.
Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place separately.
When packaging powders, make sure they are in padded, sift-proof envelopes.
If mailing framed pictures, disassemble and wrap the frame and glass separately.
Enclose a card listing the contents along with the sender and recipient's address.
When flying, do not transport wrapped gifts in carry on luggage. Instead, mail them in advance.

More Information:

Recommended Mailing Dates
Addressing, Packaging Tips