What To Write In A Christmas Card: 112 Messages For Everyone On Your List

Not sure what to write in a Christmas card? These 112 Christmas card messages cover everyone on your list, from short and simple Merry Christmas wishes to funny sayings and heartfelt notes, so you can get through the whole stack without staring at a blank card.

They’re sorted by who you’re writing to: family, friends, your partner, coworkers and your boss, teachers, neighbors, grandparents, long-distance loved ones, someone having a hard year, faith-filled wishes and messages kids can write themselves.

If cards are just one job on a very long December list, grab our free 38-page Christmas planner too. It keeps the whole season organized in one place.

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Get the free printable Christmas planner here.

What To Write In A Christmas Card: The Easy Formula

The easiest formula has three parts: a warm greeting, one line that’s specific to that person, and a sign-off.

That specific line is what makes a card feel personal, and it can be tiny. A memory from this year. Something you’re looking forward to doing together. A thank you for something they did that you haven’t forgotten.

If you’re writing a big stack, start with the cards that only need a short, simple message. Save the more personal ones for a quiet half hour with a cup of something warm, when you’ve actually got the headspace to write them.

One practical tip: if your cards have a glossy finish, use a fine gel pen that dries fast. Smudged messages are nobody’s idea of festive.

Short And Simple Christmas Card Messages

Short Merry Christmas wishes that are perfect for big batches, office cards and cards where the design already does most of the talking.

• Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
• Wishing you a cozy, joyful Christmas.
• Warmest wishes this Christmas.
• Sending love and Christmas cheer your way.
• Wishing you peace, joy and plenty of rest.
• Have a wonderful Christmas with the people you love.
• Here’s to a bright and happy New Year.
• Thinking of you this Christmas.
• Wishing you a merry, sparkly season.
• Joy, peace and love to you all this Christmas.
• Hope your Christmas is full of good food and good company.
• Cheers to you this holiday season.

Funny Christmas Card Messages And Sayings

For friends, siblings and anyone who would rather laugh than get misty-eyed.

• Merry Christmas! May your wrapping paper tear neatly and your batteries be included.
• Wishing you a Christmas with more cookies than cardio.
• Here’s to eating your body weight in snacks and calling it tradition.
• Merry Christmas from someone who bought these cards in November and wrote them on December 22nd.
• May your Christmas lights untangle on the first try.
• Consider this card proof that I do, in fact, own stamps.
• Wishing you a Christmas where nobody asks when you’re getting married, having kids or changing jobs.
• Merry Christmas! The card is from me. The rest of your gift is my wonderful company.
• May your elf stay put and your kids sleep past 6am.
• Here’s to stretchy pants season. Merry Christmas!
• I asked Santa to put you on the nice list. He had questions.
• Merry Christmas to one of the very few people I’d share my last chocolate with.

Christmas Card Messages For Family

Heartfelt messages for parents, siblings, in-laws and the relatives who make Christmas feel like Christmas.

• Christmas always feels like home because of you.
• Thank you for every tradition, every late night and every bit of love you put into this season.
• The best part of my Christmas is getting to share it with you.
• Wishing our family a Christmas full of laughter, good food and time together.
• However busy the year gets, I’m so grateful we always find our way back to each other at Christmas.
• Thank you for being my people, this year and every year.
• I hope this Christmas gives you as much joy as you give all of us.
• So many of my favorite memories started around your table.
• Merry Christmas to the family I’d choose all over again.
• Love you all. Here’s to many more years of the same wonderful chaos.

Also see: 44 Meaningful Christmas Traditions To Start With Your Family

Christmas Card Messages For Friends

For your closest friends, your oldest friends and the ones you don’t see nearly enough.

• Merry Christmas to the friend who makes every year better.
• This year was a lot easier with you in it. Thank you.
• Wishing you a Christmas that’s as fun as our group chat.
• Can’t wait to catch up properly in the new year. Merry Christmas!
• Here’s to another year of friendship, laughter and far too many voice notes.
• Sending you a huge hug and all the Christmas cheer.
• You’re one of my favorite people to celebrate with. Have the best Christmas.
• Busy calendars and all, you’re always on my list. Merry Christmas.
• Thank you for showing up for me in so many ways this year.
• Wishing you rest, joy and something delicious this Christmas.

Christmas Card Messages For Your Partner

Sweet, a little bit soppy and just for the two of you.

• Merry Christmas to my favorite person to do absolutely nothing with.
• Every Christmas with you becomes my new favorite one.
• Thank you for another year of love, laughter and stealing all the blankets.
• Home is wherever you are, especially at Christmas.
• I’d choose you over every present under the tree.
• Here’s to cozy nights, cheesy Christmas movies and many more years together.
• You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my Christmases.
• Merry Christmas, my love. You make every ordinary day feel a little bit magic.

Christmas Card Messages For Coworkers And Your Boss

Friendly, warm and office-appropriate, with a few messages for your boss at the end. If you’re pairing your card with a small gift, our list of cute Christmas gifts for coworkers has plenty of ideas.

• Merry Christmas! It’s been a pleasure working with you this year.
• Wishing you a relaxing break and a great start to the new year.
• Thanks for being such a great teammate. Enjoy every minute of your time off.
• Happy holidays! Here’s to fewer emails and more cookies.
• Thank you for all your help this year. Have a wonderful Christmas.
• Wishing you and your family a peaceful holiday season.
• You make the busy days so much easier. Merry Christmas!
• Enjoy the break. You’ve more than earned it.
• Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Merry Christmas!
• Wishing you a restful holiday season. Thank you for being such a great leader.
• Merry Christmas, and thank you for making this such a good place to work.

Christmas Card Messages For Teachers

A sincere note is one of the nicest things a teacher can take home before winter break. Swap in your child’s name to make it personal.

• Thank you for everything you do for [child’s name]. Have a wonderful Christmas.
• Wishing you a restful winter break. You’ve earned every minute.
• Thank you for making the classroom such a happy place to be.
• [Child’s name] talks about your class all the time. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
• Thank you for your patience, kindness and hard work this year.
• Wishing you a cozy Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us.
• Thank you for helping [child’s name] grow in so many ways.
• Merry Christmas to a teacher who makes a real difference.

Christmas Card Messages For Neighbors

For the neighbors who wave, water your plants and rescue your packages from the rain.

• Merry Christmas from your neighbors next door!
• We’re so lucky to live next to you. Happy holidays!
• Thanks for being such wonderful neighbors this year.
• Wishing you a warm and happy Christmas, from our house to yours.
• Thanks for all the packages you saved this year. Merry Christmas!
• Happy holidays! Come by for a hot cocoa anytime.
• Here’s to another year of friendly waves and good neighbors.

Christmas Card Messages For Grandparents

Sweet enough for grandma and grandpa to keep on the mantel all season.

• Merry Christmas to the best grandparents in the world.
• Thank you for all the love, the stories and the extra cookies.
• Christmas with you is always my favorite part of the year.
• Wishing you a Christmas as warm as your hugs.
• We’re so grateful for you, this Christmas and always.
• Thank you for filling our family with so much love.
• We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Merry Christmas!

Long-Distance Christmas Card Messages

For the family and friends you won’t get to see in person this year.

• Wishing we were celebrating together. Sending you all our love this Christmas.
• The miles don’t change a thing. You’re in our hearts this Christmas.
• We’ll be raising a glass to you on Christmas Day.
• Missing you extra this time of year. Merry Christmas.
• Until we can hug in person, please accept this card as a very big hug.
• Counting down to the next time we’re together. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Messages For Someone Having A Hard Year

Christmas can feel tender when someone is grieving, struggling or just worn out. Keep your message gentle, and don’t feel you need to fix anything. Letting them know you’re thinking of them is enough.

• Thinking of you this Christmas and sending so much love.
• I know this Christmas may feel different. I’m here whenever you need me.
• Wishing you moments of peace and comfort this holiday season.
• Holding you close in my thoughts this Christmas.
• There’s no right way to feel this Christmas. Just know you’re loved.
• Remembering [name] with you this Christmas.
• Sending gentle wishes for a calmer, brighter new year.

Religious Christmas Card Messages

For friends and family who celebrate the faith at the heart of Christmas.

• Wishing you the joy and peace of Christ this Christmas.
• May the hope of Christmas fill your home and your heart.
• Celebrating the birth of Jesus and sending you blessings this season.
• May God bless you and your family this Christmas and in the year ahead.
• Praying your Christmas is full of peace, love and light.
• Rejoicing with you in the true gift of Christmas.

Christmas Card Messages For Kids To Write

Short, easy lines kids can copy out or finish themselves. If they’re making the cards too, our ideas for making Christmas cards with kids will keep them happily busy.

• Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you something awesome.
• Have the best Christmas ever!
• Thank you for being my friend. Merry Christmas!
• I love Christmas because…
• My favorite thing about you is…
• I hope your Christmas is full of snow and presents!
• Merry Christmas from me and my family!
• This Christmas I’m most excited about…

Easy Christmas Card Sign-Offs

Finish with something a little warmer than just your name.

• With love and Christmas cheer,
• Warmest wishes,
• Merry everything,
• Love and hugs,
• From our house to yours,
• Joy and peace,
• Cheers to the new year,
• All our love this Christmas,

Get The Rest Of Christmas Organized

Once your cards are written, stamped and in the mailbox, that’s one big job off your list.

For everything else, from gifts to food to the festive plans you actually want to make time for, our free 38-page Christmas planner keeps it all in one place.

Grab the free printable Christmas planner here.