Marie writes a letter to include with her Christmas cards - it insults Debra and praises Marie. They decide to write a letter together. Raymond is heavily praised and Robert is not. Robert wants to include his own information.
When Marie receives a letter from a relative detailing how wonderful her life is and how well her kids are doing, it drives Marie insane with jealousy. She enlists Debra's help in writing a Barone "family update," but despite efforts to make everyone sound successful, the letter makes them all feel inadequate about what they have done - or not done.