What to Write in a Christmas Card: 100+ Christmas Card Messages

There's a particular kind of pressure that builds up around Christmas card writing - not because any single message needs to be profound, but because there are so many of them to write, and each one is for someone different.

A card for a close friend needs something different from a card for a colleague, and a card for someone who's had a hard year needs something different again. The good news is that Christmas card messages don't need to be original. They need to be warm, and they need to sound like you.

Below you'll find over 100 Christmas card messages, grouped by who they're for - family, friends, your partner, colleagues and clients, neighbours, teachers, a new baby, someone facing a difficult Christmas - along with short and simple greetings, religious messages, gently funny ones and a list of sign-offs. Borrow them as they are, or use them as a starting point for your own. Choosing the card itself first? Our guide to the best luxury Christmas cards in the UK covers what to look for and the brands worth knowing.

Relove Santa's List Christmas card from Katie Leamon

Before You Start Writing

A couple of things worth doing before you work through the pile.

Make a list first. Christmas cards multiply quickly - close family, extended family, friends, neighbours, colleagues. Splitting the list into groups before you start makes the task feel manageable rather than endless.

Decide on your register early. Are you writing warm and personal messages throughout, or is a shorter, simpler greeting enough for most of the list, with something more considered reserved for the people closest to you? Both approaches are fine. Trying to write twenty deeply personal messages in one sitting usually backfires.

Leave time. Christmas is a busy season for everyone. A message written in a rush often reads that way. Set aside a proper stretch of time rather than trying to fit it between other things.

How to Write a Christmas Card: The Basic Wording

Most Christmas card wording follows the same simple shape, and once you have it, the writing gets much quicker.

Start with a greeting. "Dear Anna," or simply "Anna," at the top. For a family or household, "Dear all," or "Dear Sarah, Tom and the girls," works well.

Add your message. One to three sentences is plenty. A seasonal wish, plus something specific to them if you can - a moment from the year, a plan for the new one, a thank you.

Finish with a sign-off and your name. "With love," "Warmest wishes," or "All the best," followed by your name, or the names of everyone the card is from. There's more on this in the sign-offs section below.

Short and Simple Christmas Messages

For the wider list - colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances - a short, warm message does the job well. These work especially nicely alongside a card with a strong design of its own.

  • "Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all good things for the new year."
  • "Season's greetings, and warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas - hope it's a restful, happy one."
  • "Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth and good company."
  • "Happy Christmas to you and yours."
  • "With love and best wishes for Christmas and the year ahead."
  • "Thinking of you at Christmas. Have a lovely one."
  • "Wishing you peace, joy and a little rest this Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas and a very happy new year."
  • "Warmest wishes for a cosy Christmas."
  • "Hoping your Christmas is calm, bright and full of good things."
  • "Sending festive love your way."
  • "Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a bright new year."
  • "Have a wonderful Christmas, and see you in the new year."
  • "Merry Christmas, with love."

Christmas Card Messages for Family

Family cards can be the hardest to write precisely because there's so much you could say. Keep it simple and let the warmth do the work.

  • "Wishing you a Christmas full of everything that matters most. So much love to you all."
  • "So grateful to have you in my life this Christmas and always. Sending all my love."
  • "Can't wait for us all to be together this Christmas. Wishing you all so much love."
  • "Mum and Dad, thank you for every Christmas you've made so special. This one included. All my love."
  • "To the best grandparents anyone could ask for - wishing you a very merry Christmas and plenty of rest."
  • "Happy Christmas to my favourite sister. Here's to another year of long phone calls and too much chocolate."
  • "To my brother - Merry Christmas. I'll forgive you for winning the quiz again this year. Lots of love."
  • "Sorry we can't be together this Christmas. We'll be thinking of you all day, and raising a glass to you at lunch."
  • "Wishing the whole family a Christmas full of laughter, good food and long, lazy afternoons."
  • "Thank you for always making home feel like home. Merry Christmas, with all our love."
  • "To my wonderful aunt and uncle - thank you for always making us feel so welcome. Happy Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas to my cousins, near and far. Here's to seeing more of each other next year."

Christmas Card Messages for Friends

For the people closer to you, it's worth adding something specific - a line about the year you've shared, or what you're looking forward to seeing them for.

  • "Another year done, and I'm so glad you were part of it. Merry Christmas - can't wait to see you soon."
  • "Wishing you a Christmas as lovely as you've made this year for everyone around you. So much love."
  • "Here's to another year of us. Merry Christmas, and see you very soon."
  • "Merry Christmas to the friend who always knows what to say. Thank you for this year."
  • "I know we haven't seen enough of each other this year. Let's fix that in the new one. Happy Christmas."
  • "Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, and a new year full of good news and long lunches."
  • "Christmas wouldn't feel quite right without a card to you. Thinking of you, and sending love."
  • "Thank you for every walk, every coffee and every voice note this year. Merry Christmas, my friend."
  • "Distance doesn't change a thing. Wishing you the happiest Christmas, wherever you are."
  • "To many more years of friendship, and many more Christmases. All my love."
  • "Merry Christmas to my oldest friend. Some things never change, and I'm so glad."
  • "Wishing you a peaceful Christmas, and a new year that brings everything you've been hoping for."

For a couple you know well:

  • "Wishing you both a Christmas full of warmth, good food, and each other. With love."
  • "So happy to be sharing another Christmas thinking of you two. All our love."
  • "Merry Christmas to two of our favourite people. Can't wait to celebrate with you in the new year."
  • "Wishing you both a gentle, happy Christmas in your new home."

Christmas Messages for Your Partner

A card to a husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend is the one place a little sentiment is not just allowed but expected. Write it last, when you're not in a hurry.

  • "My favourite thing about Christmas is spending it with you. All my love, always."
  • "Thank you for another year of laughter, patience and cups of tea in bed. Merry Christmas, my love."
  • "Of all the things I'm grateful for this year, you're top of the list."
  • "Our first Christmas together - I hope it's the first of very many."
  • "Wherever we are, home is wherever you are. Happy Christmas."
  • "You make every ordinary day feel a bit like Christmas. Thank you for this year."
  • "Merry Christmas to the person who still makes me laugh every single day."
  • "Here's to us, to this year, and to everything still to come. With all my love."
  • "Twelve months, one very full year, and I'd do every minute of it again with you. Merry Christmas."
  • "Thank you for being my favourite person, at Christmas and every other day."

Christmas Cards Worth Writing In

Christmas Messages for Colleagues and Clients

Office cards call for something a little more measured - warm, but not overly familiar. For a manager, a team or a client list, a line of thanks goes a long way. If you're sending to clients, our guide to business Christmas cards for clients and colleagues covers etiquette, timing and wording in more detail.

  • "Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all the best for the new year ahead."
  • "Merry Christmas - thank you for making this year at work such a good one."
  • "Season's greetings to you and your family. Wishing you a restful break."
  • "Thank you for all your help and good humour this year. Have a wonderful Christmas."
  • "It's been a pleasure working with you this year. Wishing you a happy Christmas and a successful new year."
  • "Enjoy a well-earned rest over Christmas. See you in January."
  • "With thanks for your support this year, and warmest wishes for the festive season."
  • "Thank you for your custom and kindness this year. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas from all of us."
  • "To a brilliant team - thank you for everything this year. Merry Christmas."

Christmas Card Messages for Neighbours

A card through the neighbours' door is one of the nicest small traditions of the season. Keep it friendly and light.

  • "Happy Christmas, neighbour - it's been lovely getting to know you this year."
  • "Thank you for taking in all our parcels this year. Wishing you a very merry Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas from number 12. We feel very lucky to live next door to you."
  • "Wishing you a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. Do knock if you ever need anything."
  • "Season's greetings to our lovely neighbours. Here's to another year on the street."
  • "Welcome to the neighbourhood, and a very happy first Christmas in your new home."
  • "Merry Christmas! Thank you for keeping an eye on the house while we were away."

Christmas Messages for Teachers

A short, specific note from a parent or a child means a great deal to a teacher at the end of a long term. We've written a whole guide on what to write in a teacher's Christmas card, but here are a few to start with.

  • "Thank you for a wonderful first term. Wishing you a restful and very happy Christmas."
  • "Thank you for making school somewhere Sam looks forward to every day. Merry Christmas."
  • "Wishing you a lovely Christmas break - you've more than earned it."
  • "Thank you for all your patience, kindness and encouragement this year. Happy Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas to the best teacher in the school (we may be biased)."

Messages for a New Baby or First Christmas

A baby's first Christmas card is often one that gets kept. Write to the parents, to the baby, or to both. For more ideas, see our guide to what to write in a baby's first Christmas card.

  • "Happy first Christmas, little one. You've made this a very special year for everyone who loves you."
  • "Wishing you all a magical first Christmas as a family of three."
  • "To the newest member of the family - welcome to your very first Christmas."
  • "Congratulations on a year of big changes. Wishing you a cosy, happy and hopefully well-rested Christmas."
  • "The first of many happy Christmases. Sending all our love to the three of you."

Vintage Stocking Christmas card from Katie Leamon

For a Difficult Christmas

Christmas isn't easy for everyone, and a card doesn't need to pretend otherwise. If you're writing to someone who's had a hard year - a loss, an illness, a difficult change - a gentler message is often more welcome than a bright and breezy one.

  • "Thinking of you especially this Christmas. Sending love and warmth for the days ahead."
  • "Wishing you moments of peace and comfort this Christmas. You're in my thoughts."
  • "Sending you love this Christmas, and hoping the season brings you some gentleness."
  • "Thinking of you as Christmas comes round. Here for you, always, if you need anything at all."
  • "I know this Christmas will feel different. Thinking of you, and of David, with so much love."
  • "No need to reply - just wanted you to know you're in our thoughts this Christmas."
  • "It's been such a hard year. I hope the new one is kinder to you. With love."
  • "Wishing you rest and quiet comfort this Christmas, however you choose to spend it."

There's no need to over-explain or dwell on the difficulty in the message itself - a short, sincere line that acknowledges the year, without making the card feel heavy, usually strikes the right note.

Religious Christmas Card Messages

For friends and family who mark Christmas as a religious festival, a message that reflects the meaning of the season is often appreciated.

  • "Wishing you the peace and joy of Christ this Christmas."
  • "May the blessings of Christmas be with you and your family, today and throughout the new year."
  • "Rejoicing with you in the birth of our Saviour. A blessed Christmas to you all."
  • "Wishing you a holy and peaceful Christmas, filled with hope."
  • "May the light of Christmas shine on you and your home this year."
  • "Praying for you and your family this Christmas. With love and every blessing."
  • "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. Wishing you a blessed Christmas."
  • "May the hope, peace and love of Christmas stay with you all year."

Funny Christmas Messages

A bit of humour goes down well with people who'll appreciate it - close friends and family who share your sense of humour, rather than the whole list. Keep it kind: the joke should be one you'd be happy for them to read aloud.

  • "Wishing you a Christmas with just the right amount of mulled wine and just the wrong amount of Monopoly-related conflict."
  • "May your fridge be full, your jumper be tacky, and your family only mildly argumentative this year. Merry Christmas."
  • "Sending you a Christmas with more presents than pounds gained. Unlikely, but wishing it anyway."
  • "Officially giving you permission to eat a full tin of Roses before December 25th. Merry Christmas."
  • "I was going to get you something amazing for Christmas, but then I remembered you already have me."
  • "Merry Christmas! May your sprouts be few and your naps be long."
  • "Wishing you a Christmas where the lights work first time and nobody mentions the cracker jokes."
  • "Here's to eating cheese for breakfast and not knowing what day it is. Happy Christmas."

Quotes for Christmas Cards

A quote can round off a message nicely, but it works best alongside your own words rather than in place of them. Your own line, followed by something well-chosen, tends to feel far warmer than a quote signed with just a name.

  • "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." - Norman Vincent Peale
  • "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis
  • "Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day." - Helen Steiner Rice

Christmas Card Sign-Offs

The last line before your name sets the tone as much as the message does. Match it to how well you know the person.

For family, close friends and partners:

  • "With love,"
  • "All my love,"
  • "Lots of love,"
  • "Love always,"
  • "With love and hugs,"
  • "Love and Christmas wishes,"

For colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances:

  • "Warmest wishes,"
  • "With best wishes,"
  • "Kind regards and season's greetings,"
  • "Best wishes for the festive season,"
  • "With every good wish,"
  • "Merry Christmas from all of us,"

Signing for a household. When a card is from more than one person, it's usual for whoever writes the card to put their own name last, so a card written by Emma might be signed "Love from Tom, Lily, Max and Emma". "From the Clarke family" or "From all at number 12" works well for a wider list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I write in a Christmas card to a friend?
A seasonal wish plus one specific line about your friendship or the year works best - a shared memory, a thank you, or a plan to see each other soon. "Thank you for every walk and coffee this year. Merry Christmas, and see you in January" is warmer than any generic greeting.

How do you sign a Christmas card?
Use a sign-off that suits the relationship - "With love" or "All my love" for people close to you, "Warmest wishes" or "Best wishes" for colleagues and acquaintances - followed by your name. For a joint card, list everyone it's from, with the person writing it traditionally placing their own name last.

What is a good short Christmas message?
Something like "Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all good things for the new year" or "Happy Christmas to you and yours." A short message is perfectly polite, especially for a long card list, and pairs nicely with a card that has a strong design of its own.

What do you write in a Christmas card for someone who's had a hard year?
Keep it gentle and brief. Acknowledge that the season may feel different, let them know you're thinking of them, and avoid asking them to be cheerful. "Thinking of you especially this Christmas, and sending so much love" is enough.

Should I write a long message or a short one?
Most Christmas cards only need one to three sentences. Save longer, more personal messages for the handful of people closest to you, and use shorter greetings for the wider list. Sincerity matters far more than length.

Is it "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Christmas"?
Both are correct. "Happy Christmas" is very common in Britain and can feel a little softer; "Merry Christmas" is equally warm. Use whichever sounds most like you.

The Most Important Thing

You don't need to write something clever. You need to write something that sounds like you, addressed to someone who'll be glad to hear from you. A short, sincere line will always land better than a long one that strains for the perfect words.

Make your list, set aside the time, and write by hand where you can. The card matters far less than the fact that you sent it at all.

Looking for the perfect card to write in? Shop our luxury Christmas cards, or our luxury boxed Christmas cards for a long list - designed in our North London studio, printed on sustainably sourced paper and plastic-free throughout. Free UK delivery on card orders over £20.

Tree and Lights Christmas card from Katie Leamon

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