The second-most maligned holiday icon — the fruitcake being No. 1 — is the family Christmas newsletter. Five years ago, I wrote: "Stop sending out family newsletters for Christmas. Nobody cares."

OK, stepping back, that sounds downright mean-spirited. Still, even Ann Landers was no fan of holiday newsletters, as she announced in a column back in 1999. So, while I'd rather receive a fruitcake or recording of the Jingle Cats' "Meowy Christmas" than read another newsletter, let me pass along some pointers for the task.

"When did family newsletters get such bad reputations?" Elaine Floyd asks in her 1998 book, "Creating Family Newsletters: 123 Ideas for Sharing Memorable Moments with Family and Friends" (Betterway Books, $19.99). Research for the book began with Lloyd asking friends if they had received any good family newsletters.

"Oh, we've received some, but not good ones," friends told Floyd.

Hallmark magazine's December/January issue provides several tips in an article titled "Tis the Season for Holiday Letters: Seven ways to make sure people will want to read yours!" by writer Sandra Hume.

Keep these thoughts in mind. Remember a family newsletter should sound like a conversation over coffee, not a resume!

"Start early: That way you can give the letter more thought and will have plenty of time to edit. Consider creating two versions: one for close friends and family and one for people you're in touch with less frequently."

"Involve the family. Tap your kids' memories for the year's highlights and have them help you select photos. They could even write some of the photo captions."

"Keep it simple and short: One page is enough. User-friendly layout programs like Microsoft Office Publisher or Word can help you create letter with a simple design and easy-to-read fonts. Resist the urge to decorate your text with a wide array of type of styles and colors — any more than two will look too busy. Larger type is better for the older people on your recipient list."

"Show, don't tell: Photos are universal crowd pleasers. Remember to include snapshots of adults, not just the kids — people want to see you, too."

"Tone down the boasting: Try self-deprecating humor. When mentioning your daughter's good grades, for example, say something like, 'Thank goodness Bernice doesn't take after me when it comes to school.' That sounds light and makes readers happy for Bernice."

"End on a personal note. Close with warm wishes for the recipients, leaving the attention on them instead of you. Then have everyone in your clan sign it. You can also handwrite a note at the bottom margin of the letter to personalize it and avoid that mass-mail feeling."

The Web site www.creativegiftgiver.com says a newsletter can also contain favorite family recipes, homemade bookmarks or packages of flower seeds.

I like Ted Pack's approach to Christmas newsletters. His Web site, www.tedpack.org, provides general suggestions, including "Don't use your letter as a catalog for a home-based business, even if Mary Kay Cosmetics, Amway or Septic Tank Plus has changed your life."

Pack, who lives in the small town of Hughson, Calif., admonishes writers not to brag in their newsletters and "know when to quit."