Card messages
Christmas Card Messages: What to Write
A great Christmas card message has three parts: a warm greeting, one personal line and a sign-off. Below are 28 messages you can copy straight into your cards, plus sign-offs to finish them.
Keep a few favorites handy and you can write a whole stack of cards in one evening without staring at a blank page.
General card messages
- Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, laughter and good company, and a new year full of good news.
- May your holidays sparkle with joy and your new year be filled with happy surprises.
- Thinking of you this Christmas and wishing you every happiness in the year ahead.
- Hope this card finds you well and getting ready for a cozy, joyful Christmas.
- With warm wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a healthy, happy new year.
- Merry Christmas! We're so grateful to have you in our lives.
- Sending love and Christmas cheer from our home to yours.
For family and close friends
- It's been a big year for us, and we've loved sharing it with you. Merry Christmas, and we can't wait to see you soon.
- Our favorite part of Christmas is the people we love, and you're right at the top of the list.
- Merry Christmas! The kids have grown so much this year. We can't wait for you to see them.
- Missing you this season. Here's to more visits and long dinners together next year.
- Thank you for being there for us this year in ways big and small. Merry Christmas with all our love.
- Here's to the memories we made this year and all the adventures still to come. Merry Christmas!
- No matter the distance, you're always close to our hearts. Merry Christmas.
For neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances
- Merry Christmas, neighbors! Thanks for being such a great part of our street.
- Happy holidays! We're lucky to have neighbors like you.
- Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.
- Season's greetings! Thanks for all the friendly waves and borrowed tools this year.
- Merry Christmas! It's been great getting to know you this year.
- Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season from all of us next door.
- Thanks for a great year of working together. Wishing you a restful Christmas.
Sign-offs for Christmas cards
- With love and Christmas cheer,
- Warmest wishes,
- Merry Christmas and much love,
- Peace and joy,
- With love from all of us,
- Cheers to you this Christmas,
- Joyfully yours,
Write one personal sentence for each card, even when the rest is printed: a memory, a congratulations or a "let's meet up in January." Sign with first names for friends and family and full names for business contacts and newer acquaintances.
Frequently asked questions
What do you write in a Christmas card?
Start with a warm wish, add one personal line about the recipient or the year, then close with a sign-off like "Warmest wishes." For example: "Merry Christmas! Thank you for being there for us this year. With love, the Smiths."
How do you sign a Christmas card from a family?
List names from adults to children, such as "Love, Mike, Sarah, Emma and Jack," or use the family name, like "Warmest wishes, the Garcias." Include pets if you like.
When should you mail Christmas cards?
Mail cards to US addresses by mid-December so they arrive before Christmas, and earlier for international mail. Check your postal service's holiday mailing deadlines each year.
Is it OK to send a Christmas card without a personal note?
It's acceptable, but a single handwritten line makes a big difference. Even "Hope to see you soon!" shows the card wasn't sent on autopilot.