Rather than cropping a family portrait onto this year's holiday card, personalize with custom lettering. With the help of an Etsy small business, for instance, select your preferred color (anything from steel blue to gold dust), quantity, and written message. Though many customers use custom calligraphy cards for wedding invites — "These cards were excellent. I used them to ask family and friends to participate in my wedding," writes one Etsy reviewer — they can also be adapted for the holiday season. 

According to verywell mind, sending and receiving personalized letters can have a tremendous psychological impact. Whether you're sharing life updates or just saying hi and happy holidays, "Many studies show that writing is a healing act," says psychotherapist and author Sherry Amatenstein.