What to write in a Christmas card: 70 messages for family, friends and colleagues

You've chosen the card, you've found a pen that works, and now you're staring at the blank space inside. If you've ever wondered what to write in a Christmas card that doesn't sound like every other card on the mantelpiece, this guide is for you.

Below are 70 Christmas card messages, grouped by who you're writing to, plus a simple way to turn any of them into something personal. Use them as they are, or borrow a line and make it your own.

How to write a Christmas card message that feels personal

The cards people keep are rarely the ones with the cleverest words. They're the ones that feel written for them. A simple four-part structure works for almost anyone:

1. Use their name. "Dear Jo" lands very differently from no greeting at all.
2. Mention something real. A moment you shared this year, something they did, or something you're looking forward to.
3. Add a wish for the year ahead. Keep it warm and specific if you can.
4. Sign off warmly. "With love", "Warmest wishes" or simply your name.

For example: "Dear Jo, I still laugh about that rainy day in Whitby. Wishing you a cosy Christmas and a year with far more sunshine. With love, Kate." Four short sentences, and it could only have been written to one person.

If you're writing a big batch, it's fine to use the same core message for everyone and add a single personal line to each card. That one line is what people remember.

Christmas card messages for family

• Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
• Thinking of you all this Christmas and looking forward to seeing you soon.
• With love to you all this Christmas. Here's to another year of being together.
• Merry Christmas to my favourite people. Save me a seat at the table.
• May your home be full of warmth, laughter and far too much food this Christmas.
• Sending all our love this Christmas, and hoping the New Year brings you everything you wish for.
• Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without you. With love, always.
• Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and plenty of time together.

Christmas card messages for your partner

• My favourite part of Christmas is spending it with you.
• Merry Christmas to the person who makes every day feel like a celebration.
• Here's to another Christmas together, and many more to come.
• Thank you for another year of love and laughter. Merry Christmas.
• You're the best present I could ask for. Merry Christmas, my love.
• Wishing us a cosy Christmas and a brilliant year ahead.

Christmas card messages for parents and grandparents

• Thank you for making every Christmas so special. With all my love.
• Wishing you a Christmas as warm and wonderful as the ones you gave us.
• Merry Christmas, Mum and Dad. Thank you for everything, this year and always.
• To the best grandparents anyone could ask for: wishing you a very happy Christmas.
• Every Christmas memory I treasure has you in it. Merry Christmas.
• Sending you love, hugs and a very merry Christmas.

Looking for a card worth writing in? These hand-painted designs by Michael Stringer are made to be kept long after Christmas. Read the story behind them.

Christmas card messages for friends

• Merry Christmas! Let's make sure the New Year has more catch-ups in it.
• Wishing you a Christmas full of joy and a New Year full of adventures.
• Thank you for another brilliant year of friendship. Merry Christmas.
• Here's to good friends, good food and a very merry Christmas.
• Thinking of you this Christmas and raising a glass to you.
• Merry Christmas to a friend who feels like family.
• Hoping your Christmas is as lovely as you are.
• Here's to the year just gone and the one ahead. Merry Christmas.

Christmas card messages for neighbours

• Wishing you a very merry Christmas from all of us at number [house number].
• Thank you for being such wonderful neighbours this year. Merry Christmas.
• Season's greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
• Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year from next door.
• It's a pleasure living near you. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas card messages for colleagues and clients

• Wishing you a restful Christmas and a successful New Year.
• Thank you for all your hard work this year. Enjoy a well-earned break.
• Season's greetings and best wishes for 2027.
• It's been a pleasure working with you this year. Merry Christmas.
• Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas.
• Thank you for your support this year. Warmest wishes for the festive season.
• Here's to a well-deserved break and an exciting year ahead.

Christmas card messages for someone who is grieving

The first Christmas after a loss can be one of the hardest days of the year. You don't need to find perfect words. Acknowledging that this Christmas is different, and that you're thinking of them, means more than anything clever.

• Thinking of you especially this Christmas and sending love.
• I know this Christmas will be hard. I'm here whenever you need me.
• Holding you close in my thoughts this Christmas.
• Wishing you moments of peace and comfort this Christmas.
• Remembering [their name] with love this Christmas, and thinking of you all.
• Sending you gentle wishes and a big hug this festive season.

Christmas card messages for someone far away

• Miles apart, but close at heart. Merry Christmas.
• We'll miss you this Christmas. Raising a glass to you from here.
• Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, wherever you are.
• Counting down to the day we can celebrate together again.
• Sending love across the miles this Christmas.

Religious Christmas card messages

• Wishing you the joy and peace of Christmas.
• May the blessings of Christmas be with you today and throughout the New Year.
• Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
• May the light of Christmas fill your home with hope.
• Rejoicing with you in the wonder of Christmas.

Funny Christmas card messages

• Merry Christmas! Calories don't count until January.
• I tried to be good this year, but you know how it is. Merry Christmas.
• Wishing you a Christmas with more presents than washing-up.
• May your sprouts be few and your crackers be good.
• Here's to eating your body weight in mince pies. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas! Don't forget to thank me for being your favourite.

Short Christmas card sign-offs

When you only need a line before your name:

• Warmest wishes
• With love at Christmas
• Season's greetings
• Love and best wishes
• Festive wishes
• With love from us all
• Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
• Joy and peace

A card they'll want to keep

The right words matter, but so does the card they're written in. Painted Memories cards are reproductions of the Christmas cards my father, the film designer Michael Stringer, painted by hand each year for family and friends. Each is a 3D cut-out card, 21.5cm x 17.5cm, printed in the UK and supplied with an envelope.

Writing to a few people? Mix and match any designs: buy 3 and save 10%, 5 and save 15%, or 7 and save 25%.

Delivery is free in the UK on orders over £20, and orders are dispatched within 24 hours. To arrive for Christmas, please order by 20 December.

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