Most Christmas cards only need two or three sentences. The hard part is knowing how to start. This guide gives you a simple way to write a Christmas card, how to sign it, and Christmas wishes for family, friends, coworkers, clients and anyone who is grieving this year, plus short Christmas card sayings and quotes.
You can copy these messages as they are or change a few words so they sound like you. Christmas 2026 is Friday, December 25.
Article contents
- What to Write in a Christmas Card
- How to Sign a Christmas Card
- Short Christmas Wishes
- Funny Christmas Wishes
- Religious Christmas Wishes
- Romantic Christmas Wishes
- Christmas Wishes for Family
- Christmas Wishes for Friends
- Christmas Wishes for Coworkers
- Christmas Wishes for Someone Grieving
- Non-Religious Holiday Wishes
- Bible Verses for Christmas
- Christmas Card Sayings
- Short Christmas Quotes
- Christmas Messages for Clients and Customers
- Christmas Messages for Teachers, Neighbors and Service Workers
- Christmas Thank You Notes for Gifts
- Frequently Asked Questions
What to Write in a Christmas Card
A good Christmas card has four parts.
- Greet them by name. "Dear Aunt Carol," or "Hi Mike and Jen," is enough.
- Wish them a Merry Christmas. Use one of the wishes below or write your own.
- Add one personal line. Mention something from this year, a shared memory or a plan to see them.
- Close and sign. Pick a sign-off that fits the relationship and add your name.
Example: "Dear Aunt Carol, Merry Christmas! We loved seeing you at the lake this summer and hope we can do it again next year. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year. Love, Dan, Amy and the kids"
How to Sign a Christmas Card
The sign-off is the last thing people read. Here are common Christmas closings, from most formal to most personal.
- Season's greetings,
- Warm wishes,
- Best wishes for the holidays,
- With gratitude,
- Merry Christmas,
- Blessings,
- Merry Christmas and love,
- With love,
- Love always,
For a family card, list the adults first and then the children, oldest to youngest: "Love, Dan, Amy, Ella and Max." You can also write "The Parker Family." If you have pets, it is fine to add them at the end.
Short Christmas Wishes
Short is fine, especially on a card with a busy design. Add your names and you are done.
- Merry Christmas! Thinking of you this season.
- Wishing you a calm and happy Christmas.
- Merry Christmas from our house to yours.
- Hope your Christmas is full of good food and good company.
- Sending you love and a warm hug this Christmas.
- Merry Christmas. We miss you and hope to see you soon.
- Wishing you rest, laughter and time with the people you love.
- Merry Christmas! Thank you for being part of our year.
- Hope Santa is good to you this year.
- Wishing you a cozy Christmas and a bright New Year.
- Enjoy every minute of the holidays.
- Merry Christmas and all the best in 2027.
- So glad to know you. Merry Christmas.
- Wishing you peace this Christmas and all year long.
- Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Funny Christmas Wishes
A little humor works well for friends, siblings and anyone who likes a laugh. Pair a joke with a warm line so the card still feels personal.
- Yule always be my favorite!
- That warm feeling isn’t the Christmas spirit. I think you left the oven on.
- Christmas is a Claus for celebration!
- Adults can enjoy Christmas too. Until the credit card bills arrive.
- I hope your smiles will be as big as your credit card bill this Christmas!
- Merry Christmas! I hope you love the present you told me to buy for you.
- Wishing you sanity and a strong drink this holiday season!
- ‘Tis the season for leftovers and stretchy pants. Happy Holidays!
- Fill your cup of cheer with whatever you want! Merry Christmas!
- You’re a gift in my life. And not the kind I’d return for store credit. Merry Christmas!
- Happy slow down and cozy up season!
- Remember, Santa is watching everything. Yes. Even that. Merry Christmas!
Religious Christmas Wishes
These messages celebrate the birth of Jesus. They are a good fit for family, church friends and anyone who shares your faith.
- May God bless your Christmas season with joy and love.
- May the miracle of Christ’s birth bless your life with special joy this season.
- Wishing you a very Merry Christmas on this holy day. I am so thankful for you.
- Merry Christmas to my loved ones. May God replace your troubles with peace and prosperity.
- This Christmas, I pray that God blesses our family with an abundance of happiness. Happy holidays!
- May Christ bless us with love, grace, and joy! Merry Christmas! I hope you have a great holiday.
- Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and cherish all that he has done for us. Merry Christmas!
- May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, love, and laughter. May God bless you today and every day.
- I hope you get endless reasons to smile and rejoice in the upcoming year! Have a blessed Christmas.
- The magic of Christmas is not in the presents but in His presence. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
- Part of the spirit of Christmas is thinking about the special people who bless this world… like you.
- May the divine presence of Jesus Christ be with you throughout this holy season and bless all your days!
Romantic Christmas Wishes
Use these for a husband, wife or partner. Add a memory from this year to make it your own.
- All I want for Christmas is you.
- Having you in my life makes Christmas even more magical. Happy Holidays, my love!
- You are the most wonderful part of the most wonderful time of the year.
- The only thing I love more than Christmas is you.
- Your love is the best Christmas gift I could ever receive. Merry Christmas, sweetheart!
- This time of year makes me realize how lucky I am to share my life with you. Merry Christmas!
- Merry Christmas to the reason I feel merry and bright every day. I love you.
- Spending Christmas with you reminds me how lucky I am to be with you.
- Our love burns brighter than the star on top of the Christmas tree. May this Christmas and New Year be the best we’ve ever had!
- There is no one I’d rather make memories with this holiday season than you. Merry Christmas, my love.
- You know where to find me this Christmas Eve. Under the mistletoe, eager to share our holiday kiss!
- Christmas is more magical with you in my life. I’m looking forward to all the memories and romantic moments the holiday season has in store for us!
Christmas Wishes for Family
Family cards can be short. Mention a tradition you share or say you look forward to seeing them.
- Cookies and sweets in every corner of the house! That’s how it smells during Christmas with family!
- May the closeness of your loved ones, family, and friends fill your heart with joy.
- Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Season creating special memories with your beautiful family. With lots of love from the [insert family name].
- Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always.
- From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!
- On the occasion of Christmas, I pray that we all are always there for each other, there with each other to celebrate Christmas and also life.
- It’s the end of the year and you have finally got enough time to spend with your family. Enjoy it. Merry Christmas!
- Wishing a blessed Christmas to all my family and friends. May the smiles on your faces never get dull and you all are always happy.
- You all are extremely dear to me and on the occasion of Christmas, I want you all with me to make it a special Christmas for me. Merry Christmas.
- It’s the most blessed time of the year. It’s Christmas. It’s the time when the family gets back together again. Merry Christmas to the best family I could ever have!
- The only thing I desire this Christmas is to be with my family and friends. Wishing a blessed Christmas to my loved ones far away.
- Sending lots of love, warm wishes, and prayers to you on this holiday season. May you have a Christmas to remember.
Christmas Wishes for Friends
A Christmas card is an easy way to stay in touch with friends you do not see often. One line about the past year makes it more personal.
- Jingle bells, jingle bells, I have this song stuck in my head! And now you probably do, too. Merry Christmas!
- May the Holiday Season find you in good spirits, filled with joy and peace, and plenty of love and laughter. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
- All the way from here, I send a special wish, a holiday hug, and a holiday kiss!
- Merry Christmas! Unless, of course, the North Pole melts away due to climate change and the reindeers have to relocate leaving Santa without a means of transportation… But I’m sure it’ll be fine.
- Far apart during this holiday, but totally together in our hearts and minds. Merry Christmas!
- Love, joy, and happiness is all I wish for you. May you wake up on Christmas morning and find them all in your shoe. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- We may not be together on Christmas morning, but you're always in my heart.
- This Christmas, I have a piece of advice for you: give nothing but coal to your kids. That way, you’ll teach them a precious lesson and save a ton of money in presents. You’re welcome. And Happy Holidays!
- Have a lovely Christmas in the warmth of your home and in the company of your loved ones. Happy Holidays!
- No matter how hard things are in your life, everything always seems a bit better around Christmas time. Here’s wishing you a lovely Holiday Season!
- Since I had trouble finding a word to rhyme with Yuletide, I’ll just wish you a Merry Christmas, instead. Happy Holidays!
- If you wanted to have the only house visible from space, this Christmas, you’ve gotten your wish. Just kidding! I may be a little jealous… Happy Holidays!
Christmas Wishes for Coworkers
Keep work cards friendly and simple. These messages suit coworkers, managers and team members.
- Merry Christmas to you and a wonderful new year too!
- Wishing you and your loved ones a magical holiday season!
- Thank you for all the great times during the craziest workloads. Happy Holidays!
- Wishing all my coworkers a safe and happy holiday season!
- I am so happy to have a coworker like you. I wish you the Merriest Christmas!
- I’m lucky to have a coworker like you. Thank you for making work a happy place to be. Merry Christmas!
- May Jesus always be with you in good times and bad. I hope his blessings shade you every day. Merry Christmas!
- May this Christmas give you a real break from the inbox. You earned it!
- We are truly a family here, and I am so grateful for each of you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
- The energy you bring to the office is a blessing for all of us. I hope you have a beautiful Christmas season!
- I consider you to be a blessing and hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family.
- Happy holidays dear colleague! May your Christmas celebration be filled with joy, happiness, and love.
Christmas Wishes for Someone Grieving
The holidays can be hard after a loss. A gentle card that names the person they miss can mean a great deal.
- May God bless you and your family during this Christmas season.
- May the promise of Christmas fill your hearts with comfort and peace.
- Thinking of you during this Christmas season and sending you lots of love.
- Our love and thoughts are with you during the Christmas season and the promise of hope it brings.
- You will be in my prayers over Christmas and the New Year. May God bless you with peace throughout.
- It’s hard when Christmas comes during a difficult time. Just want you to know I’m thinking of you.
- Sometimes the holidays only seem to remind us of what we have lost. But you will never lose the love and caring of those who know you and want the best for you.
- My deepest love to you and your family this Christmas. I wish you all the blessings of the holiday season.
- I’m thinking of you this Christmas and sending lots of love.
- Wishing you and your whole family as much peace and happiness you can find during this difficult time.
- I pray God grants you and your family peace and that your Christmas brings you cherished memories.
- I can’t begin to understand what Christmas must be like this year, but I hope the holiday season brings you peace and strength.
Non-Religious Holiday Wishes
Use these when you are not sure how someone celebrates, or when you are sending one card to a mixed group.
- Hoping this holiday season is joyful!
- So grateful for our family this holiday season.
- Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.
- Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holidays and a Happy New Year.
- Here's to a merry and bright Christmas Day!
- May your holiday season shine as brightly as the twinkling stars on Christmas Eve.
- Season's Greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
- May your holiday season be filled with joy and the New Year brimming with hope.
- Here's to hoping Santa fills your Christmas stocking with everything you wished for and more!
- Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes. In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.
- Safe travels and warmest wishes for a wonderful Holiday season and a very happy New Year.
- Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year. May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always.
Bible Verses for Christmas
Add one of these verses under your message in a Christian Christmas card.
- "For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)
- “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
- “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” (Matthew 2:10)
- “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
- “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11)
- “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
- “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.” (Luke 1:14)
- “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
- “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” (Luke 2:16)
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Christmas Card Sayings
These short sayings work on the front of a handmade card, at the top of your note or on a gift tag.
- Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
- Peace, love and joy.
- Season's greetings from our home to yours.
- Wishing you a season of peace.
- Warmest wishes for a merry Christmas.
- Joy to your world.
- Merry everything and happy always.
- Comfort and joy to you and yours.
- 'Tis the season to be jolly.
- Sending love across the miles.
- Cheers to the season.
- From our family to yours, merry Christmas.
- Warm wishes and cozy nights.
- Peace on earth and goodwill to all.
- Nothing beats Christmas at home.
- Believe in the magic of Christmas.
For a religious card, a line from a traditional carol works well:
- Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
- O come, let us adore Him.
- Silent night, holy night.
- Glory to the newborn King.
Short Christmas Quotes
A short quote can open or close your message. Write the name of the person who said it under the quote.
- “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
- “God bless us, every one!” (Tiny Tim, in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol)
- “At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.” (Thomas Tusser)
- “Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.” (Calvin Coolidge)
- “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” (Hamilton Wright Mabie)
- “Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” (Washington Irving)
- “Heap on more wood! The wind is chill; but let it whistle as it will, we'll keep our Christmas merry still.” (Sir Walter Scott)
- “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” (Norman Vincent Peale)
- “Love the giver more than the gift.” (Brigham Young)
- “Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” (Freya Stark)
- “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.” (Thomas S. Monson)
- “It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” (Mother Teresa)
- “Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” (Helen Steiner Rice)
- “Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” (John Boswell)
Christmas Messages for Clients and Customers
A holiday card is one of the simplest ways to thank customers. Keep it short, sign it by hand, and use a non-religious wish if you are not sure how the person celebrates.
- Thank you for your business this year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
- We are grateful for customers like you. Happy holidays from all of us.
- Thank you for trusting us this year. We wish you and your family a joyful holiday season.
- It has been a pleasure working with you. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.
- Warm wishes for the holidays and a healthy, happy new year. Thank you for your support.
- Thank you for a great year of working together. We look forward to more in the new year.
- Season's greetings and many thanks for your loyalty this year.
- Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season. Thank you for choosing us.
- From our team to yours, happy holidays and thank you for a wonderful year.
- Thank you for being part of our year. Enjoy the holidays with the people you love.
Christmas Messages for Teachers, Neighbors and Service Workers
A card for a teacher, neighbor, mail carrier or babysitter is a small thank you that people remember.
- Thank you for everything you do for our kids. Merry Christmas!
- Thank you for making this year such a good one for Emma. Wishing you a restful holiday break.
- Merry Christmas to the best neighbors on the street. Thank you for always looking out for us.
- Thank you for bringing our mail through rain, heat and snow. Happy holidays!
- We are so lucky to have you in our lives. Merry Christmas and thank you for all you do.
- Thank you for taking such good care of our family this year. Happy holidays.
- Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a relaxing break. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher.
- Thank you for your hard work all year long. We hope your holidays are merry and bright.
Christmas Thank You Notes for Gifts
After the holidays, a short thank you note for each gift is a kind habit, and it is a good one to teach children. Name the gift and say how you will use it. For more ideas, see our thank you card messages.
For more wording, see our thank you for the gift messages.
- Thank you for the cozy sweater. I have worn it three times since Christmas.
- Thank you for the book. It was the first gift I opened and the first one I used.
- Thank you for thinking of us at Christmas. The kids have not stopped playing with the game.
- Thank you for the generous gift card. I am putting it toward a new pair of hiking boots.
- Thank you for hosting Christmas dinner. It was a wonderful day with the whole family.
- Thank you for the beautiful ornament. It has a special place on our tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christmas 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 is Friday, December 25. Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24.
When should I mail Christmas cards in 2026?
The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing First-Class Mail by Thursday, December 17, 2026 for delivery by December 25 within the contiguous United States. Mail earlier for Alaska, Hawaii and military addresses. Many people mail cards in the first two weeks of December.
Should I write "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"?
Use "Merry Christmas" for people you know celebrate Christmas. "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" works well for clients, coworkers and anyone whose traditions you are not sure of.
What do you write in a Christmas card for someone who lost a loved one?
Keep it gentle and short. Say you are thinking of them, name the person they lost if you knew them, and skip the word "merry." The section above on Christmas wishes for someone grieving has more ideas.
How long should a Christmas card message be?
Two to four sentences is enough for most cards. A longer note is welcome for close family or friends you have not seen in a while.
Cards for Your Christmas Messages
Every Twigs Paper set is printed on 100% recycled paper and is blank inside, so you can write any of the messages above.
- Christian Cross Greeting Cards: a cross filled with small blue flowers, a good fit for a faith-filled Christmas message.
- Birds of America Thank You Cards: six backyard birds, including a cardinal and a blue jay, for thank you notes after the holidays.
- Christian Cross Thank You Cards: for thanking your pastor, choir or church volunteers at Christmas.
See more on our Christmas cards page. Sending cards after Christmas? Try our New Year wishes.
