The card is open, the pen is ready, and your mind goes blank. Here are Christmas messages for everyone on your list, to use as they are or make your own.
Short and warm
- Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
- Wishing you a cosy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
- Warmest wishes for the festive season.
- Merry Christmas! Hope it's full of good food and good company.
- Wishing you joy, rest and plenty of mince pies.
- Peace, love and a very merry Christmas.
For colleagues
- Merry Christmas! Thank you for making this year so much easier.
- Have a restful break. You've earned every minute of it.
- Merry Christmas to the best desk neighbour in the building.
- Thank you for all the help this year. Enjoy the holidays!
- Wishing you a lovely Christmas, and no emails until January.
Organising a card for the whole team? Our plan for Christmas cards for remote and hybrid teams covers the timing.
For the boss
- Thank you for your support this year. Have a wonderful Christmas.
- Merry Christmas! Wishing you a proper rest over the holidays.
- Thanks for a great year. Here's to the next one.
For friends
- Merry Christmas! Can't wait to see you in the New Year.
- Thanks for another year of laughs. Have the best Christmas.
- Wishing you a Christmas as fun as our last night out (but with less regret).
- Merry Christmas to my favourite person to share a mulled wine with.
For family
- Merry Christmas! We love you and can't wait to see you.
- Wishing our favourite people the happiest Christmas.
- Sending lots of love from all of us this Christmas.
- Thank you for everything this year. Merry Christmas!
For family far away
- We'll be thinking of you on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas from all of us.
- Miles apart, but close at heart. Merry Christmas!
- Can't wait to hug you in person. Until then, a very merry Christmas.
For neighbours
- Merry Christmas from number 12! Thanks for being such lovely neighbours.
- Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.
- Thank you for taking in all our parcels this year. Merry Christmas!
For clients and partners
- Season's greetings, and thank you for working with us this year.
- Wishing you a happy holiday season and a successful New Year.
- Thank you for your trust this year. Warm wishes from all of us.
Funny Christmas messages
- Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you everything you've been hinting about.
- Eat, drink and be merry. Then have a nap.
- Merry Christmas! Remember, calories don't count in December.
- I asked Santa for a great colleague. Turns out I already had one.
- Wishing you a Christmas with more presents than wrapping paper on the floor.
For people who don't celebrate Christmas
Not everyone celebrates Christmas, especially in mixed teams and with clients. These work for everyone:
- Happy holidays, and all the best for the New Year.
- Season's greetings! Wishing you a restful break.
- Warm wishes for the holidays and a happy New Year.
When someone's had a hard year
Christmas can be difficult after a loss or a tough year. Keep it gentle:
- Thinking of you this Christmas. Sending love.
- Wishing you peace and comfort over the holidays.
- We're here for you, at Christmas and always.
Making a group Christmas card special
- Add a photo from the year: the team outing, a family holiday, the dog in a Christmas jumper.
- Ask everyone for one highlight of the year.
- Choose a festive GIF: the sillier, the better.
- Schedule it for Christmas Eve morning or the last working day, so it arrives at the right moment.
Start a Christmas card: choose a free Christmas cover, share the link, and everyone can sign from their phone.
Questions and answers
What do you write in a Christmas card?
A greeting, one personal line and your name is plenty: "Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your help this year. Love, Sam."
What can I write instead of "Merry Christmas"?
"Happy holidays", "Season's greetings" or "Warm wishes for the festive season" work well for people who may not celebrate Christmas.
What do you write in a Christmas card to a colleague?
Thank them for something from the year and wish them a good break: "Merry Christmas! Thank you for making this year so much easier."
When should a Christmas e-card arrive?
Christmas Eve morning works for family and friends; for colleagues, the last working day before the break.
