What to Write in a Christmas Card: 60 Messages

A simple formula

Start with a greeting, add one personal line and finish with a wish for the year ahead. For example: “Merry Christmas, Anna! I loved our walks this autumn. Here’s to many more next year.”

The personal line is what people remember. Mention something you did together, something they helped with or something you are looking forward to.

Short Christmas card messages

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Wishing you a season full of joy.

Warmest wishes this Christmas.

Peace, love and joy to you all.

Thinking of you at Christmas.

May your holidays sparkle.

Sending you love this Christmas.

Have a cozy and happy Christmas.

Wishing you joy today and all year.

Merry everything and a happy always.

Hope your Christmas is merry and bright.

With love at Christmas and always.

Messages for family

Merry Christmas to the family I love most. I’m so grateful for all of you.

Christmas is my favorite because it brings us together. Can’t wait to see you.

Mom and Dad, thank you for every Christmas you made special. We love you.

To my wonderful sister: may your Christmas be as lovely as you are.

To my brother: thanks for always being there, even when we fight over the remote.

Grandma, your kitchen is still my favorite place at Christmas. Sending you a big hug.

Wishing our dear family a Christmas full of laughter and far too much food.

No matter how far apart we are, you are always with us at Christmas.

To our children: you are the best gift we ever received. Merry Christmas.

Here’s to another year of family, love and terrible Christmas jokes.

Messages for friends

Merry Christmas to a friend who feels like family.

I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.

Thanks for another year of laughs. Here’s to many more.

Hope your Christmas is as fun as our last night out.

Friends like you make the whole year brighter. Merry Christmas!

It’s been too long! Let’s catch up in the New Year. Merry Christmas.

Wishing you a calm, happy Christmas. You’ve earned it.

Cheers to you, my friend, and to everything next year brings.

Distance changes nothing. Thinking of you this Christmas.

May your Christmas be full of good food and better company.

Messages for coworkers, bosses and clients

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a great New Year.

It’s been a pleasure working with you this year. Enjoy a well-earned break.

Thanks for all your help this year. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas to the best team around. See you in the New Year.

Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Wishing you a restful holiday.

Season’s greetings and best wishes for a successful New Year.

Thank you for your business this year. We wish you a joyful holiday season.

Hope you get plenty of rest, and no emails, this Christmas.

Funny Christmas card messages

Merry Christmas! Calories don’t count until January.

I got you this card. The real gift is my friendship.

Hope Santa brings you everything you deserve, and a little more for good luck.

Eat, drink and be merry. Tomorrow, we hide from the scale.

This card is proof that I remembered. Please enjoy it.

May your coffee be strong and your relatives be brief.

Our family photo didn’t turn out, so please accept this card instead.

Dear Santa, define “nice”.

Wishing you a Christmas with no assembly required.

Sleigh all day. Nap all night. Merry Christmas!

Religious Christmas messages

May the peace of Christ fill your home this Christmas.

Wishing you the hope, joy and love of the season.

Rejoicing with you in the birth of our Savior.

May God bless you and your family this Christmas and always.

Keeping you in our prayers this holy season.

Messages for someone having a hard Christmas

Thinking of you this Christmas and sending all my love.

I know this season is hard. I’m here whenever you need me.

Holding you close in my thoughts this Christmas.

Remembering them with you this Christmas, and sending you strength.

Wishing you gentle days and moments of peace.

How to sign off

For family and close friends, use “With love”, “Love always” or “Big hugs”. For coworkers and clients, “Warm wishes”, “Best wishes” or “Season’s greetings” is safer.

If you are signing for the whole household, write the names in order, for example “Love from Sam, Priya and Max”. Pets are welcome on the list.

Put your message on a photo card

Once you have your message, you can turn it into a printable card. Upload a family photo to the AI Christmas card effect, type a short greeting and download a 5×7 card with it set in the design. Short greetings render most cleanly, so check the spelling before you print.