It’s that time of year again—holiday card season is upon us, bringing with it a flood of awkwardly staged family portraits and updates from relatives we seldom see. Among the flurry of festive greetings, many families seize the opportunity to brag about their achievements: the vacations taken, the accolades earned, and the unexpected promotions. But let’s be real—nobody’s life is as perfect as those cards suggest. That’s why we’re absolutely loving this mom’s refreshingly candid Christmas card that made waves on Reddit.
Meet the Thompson Family
Introducing the Thompson family: Max, Sarah, and their three children—four-year-old Jake, ten-year-old Eli, and 19-year-old Sophie. Sarah takes a no-holds-barred approach in her holiday card, sharing the raw realities of their year.
Jake: The Toddler
Take little Jake for example. “Whines incessantly and refuses to sleep when it’s time,” the card states. “He cries when he doesn’t get his favorite snacks after dinner.” Gone are the days of bragging about perfect parenting; instead, Sarah humorously admits, “Most of Jake’s art from preschool is just scribbles,” adding, “Our pride and joy (and the source of our wine consumption).” Can we get a high five for keeping it real about toddler life?
Eli: The Uncoordinated Athlete
Next up is ten-year-old Eli. Instead of a glowing report on athletic prowess, Sarah shares, “Our spirited yet surprisingly uncoordinated son just got cut from a soccer team that doesn’t even keep score—I mean, how does that happen? He spends most of his time glued to his tablet.” Honestly, Eli sounds like a mini-me of many kids out there. And to top it off, he dropped his first swear word this year. While Sarah might not be thrilled about it, if your child can make it to ten without a colorful vocabulary, you’re doing something right!
Sophie: The Aspiring Influencer
Then there’s Sophie. While many families would use their Christmas cards to boast about their 19-year-old’s lofty aspirations, Sophie is taking a different route. “She was let go from her job at the local café after telling her boss that ‘just because I’m on the schedule doesn’t mean I’m coming in,’” Sarah reveals. But fear not, Sophie has a plan. “She wants to drop out of college to pursue a career as an influencer,” her mom explains. We also learn that Sophie regularly exceeds her cell data plan and recently got grounded for sneaking a friend into the house for a “movie night.” While she might not be on a straight path to success, her journey resonates with anyone who remembers their late teen years.
Max: The Husband
Sarah even shares some unfiltered thoughts about her marriage to Max—no fairy tale here. “Max still tucks his shirts into his jeans and just took money out of our savings to buy a new fishing boat,” she writes. “His golf shoes are still sitting on the steps, despite me asking him three times to put them away.” Max, take note: when you skip out on family responsibilities, it’s just a matter of time before you get called out!
A Trend Worth Embracing
People are embracing the concept of a Christmas card that tells it like it is. Can we make this trend of honest holiday greetings a norm? The overly polished updates don’t reflect real life, and if the Thompsons were my family, I would cherish receiving such a genuine card.
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In summary, the Thompson family’s honest Christmas card is a refreshing departure from the typical holiday bragging. By embracing their imperfect realities, they remind us that authenticity is far more relatable and endearing than a curated image of perfection.