Christmas Wishes and Card Messages for Family

Christmas wishes for family are short messages you write in a card to a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling or in-law to wish them a merry Christmas. The best ones add one detail from your year together.

This guide has Christmas card messages for family members of every age, wording for a card your household sends to others, and tips on signing a card from the whole family. You will also find a few Bible verses and some funny lines.

Article contents

• How to Write a Christmas Card to Family
• Short Christmas Wishes for Family
• Christmas Messages for Your Husband or Wife
• Christmas Wishes for Mom and Dad
• Christmas Wishes for Your Son, Daughter and Grandchildren
• Christmas Card Messages for Grandparents
• Christmas Wishes for Your Sister or Brother
• Christmas Messages for In-Laws
• Christmas Messages for Family You Will Not See This Year
• Christmas Card Messages From Your Family
• How to Sign a Christmas Card From Your Family
• Religious Christmas Wishes for Family
• Funny Christmas Messages for Family
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Write a Christmas Card to Family

A family card does not need to be long. These four steps will help.

1. Start with the person's name and a warm greeting. Dear Mom or To my favorite brother sets a warm tone.
2. Mention one thing from this year. A trip, a new job or a new baby makes the card personal.
3. Say what you are looking forward to. A line about seeing them soon keeps the note hopeful.
4. Close with a holiday wish and your name. End with Merry Christmas and sign the way you usually sign to this person.

Here is one example: "Dear Mom and Dad, thank you for hosting everyone at the lake this summer. The kids still talk about the fireworks. We cannot wait to see you on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, and all our love, Jen, Mark, Lily and Sam"

Short Christmas Wishes for Family

These short wishes work for any relative and fit on a gift tag.

• Merry Christmas to my family. I love you all.
• Merry Christmas to the people who make every holiday feel like home.
• Wishing my whole family a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
• Merry Christmas! I am so thankful to be part of this family.
• Merry Christmas to the best family anyone could ask for.
• Merry Christmas! I hope this year's holiday is full of good food and long talks.
• Wishing you peace, rest and joy this Christmas.
• Merry Christmas, everyone. Thank you for another year of love and laughter.

Christmas Messages for Your Husband or Wife

A card to your spouse can be the most personal card you write this season. Mention something from your year together.

Christmas Messages for Your Husband

• Merry Christmas to my husband and best friend. I love sharing every holiday with you.
• Thank you for all the ways you take care of our family. Merry Christmas, my love.
• Merry Christmas to the man who still makes me laugh every single day.
• Thank you for hanging the lights and putting up with my holiday music. Merry Christmas.
• This year had its ups and downs, and I am grateful we faced them together. Merry Christmas.
• Of all the gifts under the tree, you are still my favorite. Merry Christmas.

Christmas Messages for Your Wife

• Merry Christmas to my beautiful wife. Thank you for making our house a home.
• I love watching you light up during the holidays. Merry Christmas to my wife and best friend.
• Thank you for all the planning, shopping and wrapping you do every year. This year, the dishes are on me. Merry Christmas.
• Another Christmas with you is the best gift I could ask for. I love you.
• Merry Christmas to the woman who holds our family together. I am so lucky to be your husband.
• Looking back on this year, my favorite moments all include you. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

Christmas Wishes for Mom and Dad

Parents often save the cards their children send, so thank them for something specific.

• Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad. Thank you for every Christmas morning you made special for us.
• Merry Christmas to the best parents. I love you both very much.
• Thank you for hosting us again. Coming home is still my favorite part of Christmas.
• Mom, thank you for the cookies, the stockings and all the little traditions you keep going. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas, Mom. I hope you take some time this year to relax and let us help.
• Dad, thank you for always being there when I need advice or a hand. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas, Dad. I hope Santa brings you everything on your list, including a long nap.
• The older I get, the more I appreciate everything you do. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.

Christmas Wishes for Your Son, Daughter and Grandchildren

Keep notes for young kids short and simple. For grown children, mention something they did this year that made you proud.

Christmas Wishes for Your Son or Daughter

• Merry Christmas to my wonderful son. I am so proud of the man you are becoming.
• Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Being your parent is the best gift I have ever been given.
• To my daughter, thank you for filling our home with so much joy. Merry Christmas.
• Even though you are grown, Christmas still feels best with you home. We love you.
• Merry Christmas to my son and his family. We love you all.
• Merry Christmas, kiddo. I love you more than everything on your list.

Christmas Wishes for Grandchildren

• Merry Christmas to my sweet grandson. Grandpa and I love you very much.
• Merry Christmas to our wonderful granddaughter. We are so proud of you.
• Have a merry Christmas, and please save a cookie for Grandma.
• We hope Santa brings you everything on your list this year. Love, Grandma and Grandpa
• Merry Christmas to all our grandchildren. You are the best part of our year.
• Watching you grow up is our favorite gift. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

Christmas Card Messages for Grandparents

Grandparents tend to keep every card. A note about a favorite memory will mean a lot, and young grandchildren can add a drawing.

• Merry Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you for all the love you give our family.
• Christmas at your house is one of my favorite memories. Thank you for every one of them.
• Merry Christmas, Grandma. Nobody makes the holidays feel as cozy as you do.
• Thank you for the stories, the cookies and all the hugs. Merry Christmas, Grandpa.
• We feel so lucky to have you as our grandparents. Merry Christmas, and we love you.
• Thank you for always making time for us. Merry Christmas to the best grandparents.
• Wishing you a merry Christmas and a healthy new year. We cannot wait to visit soon.

Christmas Wishes for Your Sister or Brother

Siblings can take a little teasing, but it is also nice to thank them once a year.

• Merry Christmas to my sister and lifelong best friend.
• Merry Christmas to the best brother. Thanks for always having my back.
• Growing up with you made every Christmas more fun. Merry Christmas, sis.
• I am so glad we get to spend another Christmas together. Love you, little brother.
• Merry Christmas to my sister. Thank you for every late night phone call this year.
• No matter how old we get, I will always want to race you down the stairs on Christmas morning. Merry Christmas.
• Thanks for being my sister, my sounding board and my favorite shopping partner. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas to my brother and his family. I am so proud of the home you have built.

Christmas Messages for In-Laws

A card to your in-laws is a good chance to thank them for welcoming you into the family.

• Merry Christmas to the best in-laws. Thank you for welcoming me into your family.
• Thank you for raising such a wonderful husband. Merry Christmas from both of us.
• Thank you for raising such a wonderful wife. We hope you have a merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas to our daughter-in-law. We are so glad you are part of our family.
• Merry Christmas to our son-in-law. Thank you for loving our daughter so well.
• Thank you for including me in all your family traditions. I feel right at home. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas to my mother-in-law and father-in-law. Thank you for your kindness all year.

Christmas Messages for Family You Will Not See This Year

When distance keeps you apart, a card in the mail helps close the gap. If someone in your family is facing their first holiday after a loss, our guide to first Christmas without a loved one messages has gentle wording for that card.

• We wish we could be there this Christmas. You will be in our thoughts all day.
• Merry Christmas from far away. We miss you and love you very much.
• The miles between us cannot change how much we love you. Merry Christmas.
• It will not feel the same without you this year. We will call you on Christmas morning.
• We will raise a glass to you at dinner and count the days until we see you again.
• Merry Christmas! Please save us a slice of pie. We will be there next year.
• We are thinking of you as we decorate the tree. We miss you.

Christmas Card Messages From Your Family

These family Christmas card messages work for cards your household sends to friends, neighbors and relatives.

• Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
• Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year from all of us at the [Last Name] house.
• From our home to yours, we wish you a warm and peaceful Christmas.
• Merry Christmas! We are thankful for your friendship and hope to see you in the new year.
• Season's greetings from the [Last Name] family. We hope this year has been good to you.
• Wishing you joy this Christmas and good health in the new year. With love from all of us.
• Merry Christmas from the four of us and the dog. We hope your holidays are happy and relaxing.

How to Sign a Christmas Card From Your Family

You can list each person in your household or use your family name. Here are a few common ways to sign.

• Love, the Smiths
• With love from the Garcia family
• Merry Christmas from Mike, Jen, Ava and Max
• Warmly, Dave, Sarah and the kids
• All our love, the Johnsons and Biscuit the dog

To make a last name plural, add "s" to most names, so Smith becomes the Smiths. Add "es" to names that end in s, x, z, ch or sh, so Jones becomes the Joneses. Leave out the apostrophe unless something belongs to the family, as in "the Smiths' house." Our guide on how to sign a card has more closings.

Religious Christmas Wishes for Family

For family members who share your faith, a Bible verse fits well in a Christmas card. The verses below are from the New International Version (NIV). You can find more in our guide to Christian Christmas greetings.

• "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11. Merry Christmas to our family, with love.
• "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. Wishing you a blessed Christmas.
• "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26. Merry Christmas to all of you.
• "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15. Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
• Merry Christmas! We thank God for each of you and pray for His blessings on our family in the new year.
• May the peace of Christ fill your home this Christmas. We love you all.
• We are grateful for a family that shares our faith. May God bless you this Christmas and always.

Funny Christmas Messages for Family

Keep the jokes about the holiday itself so no one feels singled out.

• Merry Christmas! I am only here for the cookies, but I guess I love you too.
• Wishing you a Christmas with plenty of leftovers and no one asking about your plans for next year.
• I told Santa you were all very good this year. Please do not make me a liar. Merry Christmas.
• Merry Christmas to the people who know all my embarrassing stories and keep me around anyway.
• May your coffee be strong and the kids sleep past 5 a.m. on Christmas morning.
• Merry Christmas! The only thing I want this year is the last slice of Mom's pie.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I write in a Christmas card to my family?

Start with a warm greeting, mention one memory or update from this year, and close with a Christmas wish and your name. Two or three sentences are plenty for most relatives.

How do you sign a Christmas card from the whole family?

You can write "Love, the Smiths" or list everyone's first names, such as "Love, Mike, Jen, Ava and Max." Add "s" or "es" to make a last name plural and leave out the apostrophe.

When should I mail Christmas cards to family?

Many people mail Christmas cards in the first two weeks of December so they arrive before the holiday. For relatives overseas, mail earlier and check the post office's holiday mailing dates.

For more holiday wording, see our 120 Christmas and holiday wishes or visit our Christmas page. After the holidays, our guide to Christmas thank you notes can help you thank your family for their gifts.

Our Playful Cats Watercolor Cards suit the cat lover in your family, and our Vintage National Park Cards are a good fit for a relative who loves the outdoors. Both sets are blank inside and printed on 100% recycled paper.