In this guide
The two-line Christmas card formula
If you're writing a lot of cards, use a base message and add one line for each person. The base is the same for everyone; the personal line is what makes them smile.
- 1
The wish
“Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!” Pick one you like and reuse it. - 2
The personal line
One sentence about them or your year together. “Thank you for all the Sunday dinners.” “So glad we finally did that trip.”
Together:
Merry Christmas! Thank you for all the Sunday dinners this year. Here's to many more in the new one.
Merry Christmas! Wishing you warm socks, cozy nights and lots of cookies.
Merry Christmas! May your home be full of love and your stocking full of treats.
Wishing you the coziest Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Christmas card wording for family
Family cards can be warmer and more sentimental. Mention a tradition (the cookie bake, the terrible board game, the Christmas Eve call) or something that happened this year. If someone is spending their first Christmas without a loved one, a gentle line like “Thinking of you especially this year” means a lot.
For friends
Friends love a callback: an inside joke, a trip, a night that went sideways. Then a hope for next year together. “Merry Christmas! This year's highlight: you, me and that disastrous karaoke night. Let's top it in the new year.”
Merry Christmas, friend! Thanks for being one of the best gifts of my year.
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you everything, especially a nap.
To my friend at Christmas: thanks for every laugh and every late-night talk this year.
For coworkers, bosses and clients
At work, warm and inclusive is the goal. “Happy holidays” is the safe default for mixed teams, and a line of thanks for the year lands well. Avoid religious messages unless you know the person shares your faith, and keep jokes light.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for being such a great teammate this year.
Happy holidays! Enjoy your break, you've definitely earned it.
Merry Christmas! Working with you has been a highlight of my year.
Funny Christmas card messages
For siblings, friends and anyone who'd rather laugh, a joke about cookies, ugly sweaters or competitive board games is perfect. End with a real wish so it still feels like Christmas.
Merry Christmas! May your cookies be plentiful and your relatives be on their best behavior.
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you everything you deserve. Fingers crossed it's not coal.
Eat, drink and be merry, because January starts the diet. Merry Christmas!
Religious Christmas card messages
For family and friends who celebrate the birth of Jesus, a faith-centered message can be the most meaningful of all. Luke 2:11 and Isaiah 9:6 are popular verses, or keep it simple: “May the peace and joy of Christ fill your home this season.”
Merry Christmas! May the peace and joy of Christ fill your home this season.
Celebrating the birth of our Savior with you. Merry Christmas and God bless.
May the love of Jesus fill your heart this Christmas and all year long.
Send it in time
Paper cards should go out by mid-December to arrive before the holiday, later for overseas. A digital card can be written whenever you have a quiet moment and scheduled to open on Christmas morning, with a festive song playing as it opens.
P.S.Quick questions
- What do you write in a simple Christmas card?
- “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Thinking of you this season.” Add one personal line if you can, like a memory from this year.
- What do you write in a Christmas card to coworkers?
- Keep it warm and inclusive: “Happy holidays! Thanks for a great year of teamwork. Enjoy a restful break.”
- Should I write merry Christmas or happy holidays?
- Use “merry Christmas” for people who celebrate it and “happy holidays” for mixed groups, work or when you're not sure.
- When should Christmas cards arrive?
- Paper cards usually go out in the first two weeks of December. A digital card can be sent any time, or sealed to open on Christmas morning.
That's everything you need. The rest is just picking a photo and saying what you mean.
Love, Bun 🐰
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