What to write in a Christmas card: messages for everyone on your list
A good Christmas card message is short, warm and personal: a seasonal wish (“Merry Christmas and a happy New Year”), one line that is just for them, and your sign-off. Below are ready-to-copy messages for family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and clients, plus funny, religious and very short options.
How do you write a Christmas card message?
Most cards need only three parts:
- The greeting – “Dear Sam,” or simply “Sam,”.
- The wish – one or two lines wishing them a happy Christmas and a good year ahead.
- The personal touch – a reference to something you shared this year, a plan for next year, or a thank-you.
Then sign off (“With love,” “Best wishes,” “Warmest wishes,”) and add your name. If you are writing a big batch, keep a basic wish the same and change only the personal line – it is the part people remember.
Christmas card messages for family
- Merry Christmas to the people who make every Christmas feel like home. All our love.
- Wishing you a Christmas full of laughter, good food and far too many mince pies.
- Thank you for everything this year. We are so lucky to have you. Happy Christmas!
- Sending love and big hugs across the miles until we can be round the same table again.
- Here’s to another year of family chaos, terrible cracker jokes and memories we’ll talk about for years.
- To Mum and Dad – thank you for making Christmas magic for all those years. Now it’s our turn to spoil you.
- To our wonderful grandparents: Christmas isn’t Christmas without your stories. Lots of love.
- Merry Christmas to my favourite brother – yes, I’m counting, and yes, you’re still winning.
- Wishing our little family the happiest first Christmas in the new house.
Christmas card messages for friends
- Merry Christmas to a friend who feels like family. Can’t wait to see you in the New Year.
- Thanks for the laughs, the long chats and the emergency coffee runs this year. Happy Christmas!
- Wishing you a cosy Christmas and a New Year full of good news.
- Christmas is better with good friends, and you’re one of the best.
- Here’s to us – older, wiser and still not organised enough to post cards on time.
- Sorry we didn’t see each other enough this year. Let’s fix that in the next one. Lots of love.
- Have a brilliant Christmas, and let’s raise a glass together soon.
Christmas card messages for colleagues and your boss
Keep work cards friendly but neutral. Avoid in-jokes that other people reading the card on a desk won’t understand.
- Wishing you a restful Christmas and a happy New Year. Thanks for being such a great colleague.
- Merry Christmas! It’s been a pleasure working with you this year.
- Have a wonderful break – you’ve earned it.
- Thanks for all your help and good humour this year. Enjoy the holidays.
- To the best team I could ask for: have a fantastic Christmas and see you in the New Year.
- (To a manager) Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas.
- Season’s greetings and best wishes for the year ahead.
Christmas card messages for neighbours
- Happy Christmas from next door! Thanks for being such lovely neighbours.
- Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year from all at number 12.
- Thank you for taking in our parcels all year. Have a wonderful Christmas!
- Merry Christmas – it’s a pleasure to live next to such kind people.
Christmas card messages for clients and customers
- Thank you for your custom this year. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
- Season’s greetings from all of us. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
- With warm wishes for the festive season and sincere thanks for your support.
- Wishing you and your team a restful break and every success in the New Year.
Funny Christmas card messages
- Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you everything on your list, or at least the batteries.
- May your sprouts be few and your pigs in blankets be many.
- This card comes with a free hug, redeemable at the next family gathering.
- Eat, drink and be merry – and if anyone asks, the diet starts in January.
- Wishing you a Christmas with no flat batteries, no missing tape and no tangled lights.
- Happy Christmas! I’ve been very good this year. Mostly. Occasionally.
- Our elf on the shelf has seen things this year. Merry Christmas anyway!
- Remember: calories eaten in December don’t count. That’s the rule.
Religious Christmas card messages
- Wishing you the peace and joy of Christ this Christmas.
- May the light of the Christmas star guide you through the year ahead.
- Celebrating the birth of Jesus with you and your family. God bless you this Christmas.
- May your home be filled with hope, peace and love this holy season.
- Praying for a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year for you all.
Short Christmas card messages
Perfect for gift tags, office cards or when you have forty cards to write. (For more tag ideas see our gift tag messages.)
- Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
- Warmest wishes this Christmas.
- Joy, peace and love this Christmas.
- Have a cracking Christmas!
- Season’s greetings.
- Wishing you a magical Christmas.
- Love and festive hugs.
- All the best for the year ahead.
Messages for someone having a hard Christmas
For someone who is grieving, ill or alone this year, skip “Merry” and acknowledge the season gently. Our sympathy card guide has more help, and the first Christmas without someone has ideas for supporting them.
- Thinking of you this Christmas and sending all our love.
- We know this Christmas will be different. We’re here for you, whenever you need us.
- Remembering [name] with you this Christmas. Sending warmth and love.
- Wishing you moments of peace and comfort over the festive season.
Christmas messages for children
- Merry Christmas! I hear you’ve been on the Nice List all year.
- Have a magical Christmas, and save me a bit of chocolate.
- Happy Christmas to my favourite little elf!
- Wishing you a Christmas full of surprises, snow (fingers crossed) and fun.
How to sign off a Christmas card
| Who it’s for | Sign-off ideas |
|---|---|
| Partner or close family | All my love, Love always, Lots of love and hugs |
| Friends | Love, Lots of love, Big hugs, Cheers |
| Colleagues | Best wishes, Warm wishes, Kind regards |
| Clients | With best wishes, Season’s greetings, With thanks |
| Neighbours | Best wishes, Warmest wishes, From all at number… |
Christmas card etiquette tips
- Write names in full on family cards. “From Jo, Sam, Ella and Max (and Biscuit the dog)” helps relatives you rarely see.
- Post early. Check Royal Mail’s last recommended posting dates on royalmail.com, especially for overseas cards, which need sending well before UK ones.
- Round-robin letters are welcome from people you rarely see – keep them to one side of paper and add a handwritten line.
- Don’t feel you must reply to every card you receive; a message or call in the New Year is fine.
Questions people ask
What is a simple thing to write in a Christmas card?
“Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year” followed by your name is always correct. Add one personal line, such as “Hope to see you in the spring”, to make it feel less like a template.
Should I write “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas”?
Both are fine in the UK. “Happy Christmas” is a traditional British phrase, while “Merry Christmas” is used everywhere. Pick whichever feels natural to you.
What do you write in a Christmas card to someone you don’t know well?
Keep it warm and general: “Wishing you a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.” Avoid personal questions or in-jokes, and sign off with “Best wishes” or “Warm wishes”.
Is it OK to write a Christmas card to a colleague of a different faith?
Yes. Many people of other faiths or none happily exchange Christmas cards, but if you are unsure, “Season’s greetings” or “Warm wishes for the festive season” is inclusive and friendly.
What do you write in a Christmas card for someone who has lost a loved one?
Acknowledge that it may be a hard time: “Thinking of you this Christmas and sending love.” Mentioning the person who has died by name is often a comfort rather than an upset.
Gift ideas to go with the card
Need the present as well? Start with our Christmas gifts for mum and for dad, Secret Santa gifts and Christmas gifts on a budget — or, if you’re cutting it fine, last-minute Christmas gifts.
More card messages: Gift tag messages · Sympathy card messages · Memorial messages