What to write in a Christmas card 2026: 77 free messages to copy
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Family (aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole lot)
For the relatives you will see at some point over Christmas, or only hear from once a year.
Wishing you all a Christmas full of laughter, good food and the people you love most. Thinking of you all and hoping the new year is a kind one.
Merry Christmas to all of you. Our family is better for having you in it, and we can't wait for the next time we are all in one room.
Sending lots of love this Christmas. May your house be warm, your table full and your year ahead full of good things.
Merry Christmas! May your sprouts be tender, your relatives be early to leave and the leftovers last until New Year.
Happy Christmas to the family. May nobody lose at charades and then take it personally, which is traditionally my job.
Merry Christmas and all our love to you all.
Happy Christmas, lovely family. See you soon.
Mum and Dad
Say the thing you mean to say all year but never do.
Mum and Dad, thank you for everything you do, all year round. I hope you put your feet up this Christmas, because you have earned it. Love you both.
Merry Christmas, Mum and Dad. Whatever Christmas looks like now, the best bits are still the ones I learned from you. Love you lots.
To the two people who made Christmas feel like magic when I was little: thank you. I hope this one is full of tea, telly and cheese. All my love.
Merry Christmas, Mum and Dad. I promise to eat everything you put in front of me and to say 'oh, you shouldn't have' at least twice.
Happy Christmas to my parents, who still think I haven't noticed how much of the dinner is 'tasting'. Love you both.
Merry Christmas, Mum and Dad. Love you lots.
Happy Christmas to the best parents. Thank you for everything.
Grandparents
Short and heartfelt works best; they will keep it on the mantelpiece until January.
Merry Christmas, Nan and Grandad. Thank you for every story, every biscuit and every cuddle. We think of you all the time and love you very much.
Dear Grandma and Grandad, you make Christmas feel like Christmas. We hope it is a warm, cosy one, and we are counting the days until we see you.
Wishing the best grandparents in the world a very happy Christmas. Thank you for always having time for us. Lots of love and big hugs.
Merry Christmas! Please save us a seat by the fire and do not tell Mum how many mince pies we had last year.
Happy Christmas to the people who spoil us rotten and are not sorry about it. We would not change a thing.
Merry Christmas, Nan and Grandad. Lots of love.
Happy Christmas, with hugs and kisses from all of us.
Husband, wife or partner
Warm without being cheesy, or cheesy on purpose.
Merry Christmas, my love. Another year with you and I still can't think of anyone I would rather share a sofa, a blanket and a bar of chocolate with.
Thank you for another year of making me laugh and making me feel at home. Every Christmas with you is my favourite one so far. I love you.
To the one I want next to me on Christmas morning and every other morning too: Merry Christmas. You are my favourite part of every year.
Merry Christmas! I promise to stop eating the chocolates off the tree as soon as there are none left.
Happy Christmas to the person I would happily share the last roast potato with. This is a huge compliment, as you know.
Merry Christmas, my love. Always yours.
Happy Christmas. You are my favourite person.
A close friend
For the people who know the real you and have kept you sane this year.
Merry Christmas to a friend who has been there through the good bits and the not-so-good bits this year. I am so glad I know you. Let's make time for each other soon.
Thank you for being the kind of friend who makes everything better. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a brilliant new year.
Wishing you a Christmas full of everything you love. You deserve a good one, and I can't wait to hear all about it.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for being my friend, my secret-keeper and my reason to eat the second mince pie.
Happy Christmas to the person who has seen me at my worst and is still sending me a card. We should do a proper catch-up over a big pot of tea.
Merry Christmas, you star. Let's catch up soon.
Happy Christmas, with love and a very big hug.
Neighbours
Friendly, short, and nice to find on the doormat.
Merry Christmas to our lovely neighbours. Thank you for being so kind and friendly this year. Wishing you a warm, happy Christmas and a great start to the new year.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas. We feel lucky to have such lovely neighbours and look forward to another year of friendly waves over the fence.
Merry Christmas from next door. Thank you for keeping an eye out and for always being so kind. Wishing you everything good for the new year.
Merry Christmas! We promise to put the bins out on the right day if you do not mention the fairy lights, which are staying up until February.
Happy Christmas to the best neighbours on the street. Our festive lights are not a cry for help, just a lot of enthusiasm.
Merry Christmas to our lovely neighbours.
Happy Christmas from next door. Have a lovely time.
Colleagues and work friends
Friendly but safe for everyone. Use a first name and keep humour gentle.
Merry Christmas! It has been a pleasure working with you this year. Wishing you a restful break and a great start to the new year.
Thank you for all your help and good humour this year. I hope you have a relaxing Christmas and come back refreshed in January.
Wishing you a happy Christmas and a lovely time with the people you love. You have earned a proper break.
Merry Christmas! May your inbox be empty and your out-of-office be switched on by lunchtime.
Happy Christmas! Here's to the team, the tea rota and the person who always finds the last biscuit.
Merry Christmas and thank you for a great year.
Happy Christmas! Enjoy the break.
Boss or manager
Polite, genuine and not sycophantic. Specific thanks go a long way.
Merry Christmas. Thank you for your support and guidance this year, it has made a real difference. I hope you have a restful break and a great new year.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas. Thank you for being approachable and fair this year. It is genuinely appreciated.
With thanks for a good year and best wishes for Christmas and the new year. I hope you get a proper rest.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for your support this year. I hope you also have a break from every meeting that could have been an email.
Happy Christmas. Wishing you a restful holiday and an unusually quiet inbox.
Merry Christmas, and thank you for a good year.
Happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year.
Your child's teacher or teaching assistant
Keep it kind and specific; a line about what your child enjoyed means a lot. Have your child sign it.
Merry Christmas and thank you for everything you do. [Child's name] loves coming to school, and that is down to you. Wishing you a restful and happy Christmas.
Thank you for a wonderful term. You have made [Child's name] feel confident and cared for, and we are so grateful. Have a lovely, well-earned break.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas. Thank you for your patience, your kindness and for making learning fun. We hope you get a proper rest.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for putting up with glitter, glue and our child's endless questions. You are a superhero, and you deserve a very long sit down.
Happy Christmas to a teacher who deserves a medal, a nap and a very large cup of tea. Thank you for everything.
Merry Christmas and thank you for everything you do.
Happy Christmas, with thanks from [Child's name] and family.
Someone far away or overseas
For the friend or relative you can't visit. Post early; check the Royal Mail dates.
Merry Christmas from all of us. We wish we could be with you, and we are thinking of you every day. Sending lots of love across the miles.
Distance can't change how much you mean to us. We hope your Christmas is full of warmth and people who love you, and that we can see you very soon.
Thinking of you this Christmas and missing you. Wherever you are celebrating, we are sending hugs. Let's plan a proper catch-up in the new year.
Merry Christmas! It is cold and grey here, so we are sure your Christmas is better. Please send photos of the food and we will be very jealous.
Happy Christmas! Please imagine a big hug from us and a slice of Christmas cake wherever you are. We will save you the best bit.
Merry Christmas, wishing we were there with you.
Happy Christmas and lots of love, near or far.
Someone having a hard time
Gentle and honest. Do not push cheer; just let them know you are there.
Thinking of you this Christmas. There's no pressure to be cheerful. I just want you to know that I am here whenever you want a chat, a cuppa or nothing at all.
I know this year has been hard. I'm sending you a big hug and a lot of love this Christmas. You are not on your own, and I am always on the end of the phone.
Wishing you a quiet, kind Christmas. I'm thinking about you, and I'd love to see you soon. No need to reply to this; I just wanted you to know.
Sending you a card with no pressure attached. Merry Christmas, and I'll bring biscuits whenever you're ready for a visit.
If Christmas is a lot this year, please know that you can do as little as you like and I'll still think the world of you.
Thinking of you this Christmas. With love.
Sending love and a big hug this Christmas.
How to write a Christmas card people keep
- Use their name and write one sentence only they would recognise, such as a joke from this year or a thank you for something specific. That one line is what makes it feel personal.
- Keep it to two to four sentences. A short card that is clearly meant for them beats a long one that could have gone to anyone.
- Write it by hand even if you copy the words from here. Pen on card is the point.
- Sign for the whole household if it is from everyone, and let children add their own names.
- Post on time: see our Christmas card posting dates and card list planner and the Christmas 2026 key dates UK page.
More free tools for December
- Christmas card posting dates 2026: last posting days and how many cards to write each evening.
- Christmas budget calculator UK 2026: a gift and spending plan.
- Free letter from Santa 2026: personalised and printable.
- Secret Santa generator: draw names in seconds.
Planning the whole month? The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner 2026 (£2.99, instant download) includes a Christmas card list you can tick off as you write.
Common questions
What should I write in a Christmas card?
Start with the person's name, add one warm sentence that is true for them, and finish with a wish for Christmas or the new year. For example: 'Merry Christmas, Sam. Thank you for being such a good friend this year. Wishing you a happy, restful Christmas and a lovely new year.' Everything on this page can be copied and changed.
How long should a Christmas card message be?
Two to four sentences is plenty. For colleagues and neighbours a single line is fine. For close family and friends a short personal sentence about them, rather than a general wish, is what they will remember.
What do I write in a Christmas card to my boss or colleagues?
Keep it friendly and positive, use their first name, and thank them for something specific. Avoid jokes about work pressure, alcohol or anything that could be misread. A short thank-you with best wishes for the break and the new year works well.
What do I write in a card to someone who is struggling?
Don't push cheer. Tell them you are thinking of them, that there is no pressure to reply, and that you are there when they want a chat or a cup of tea. A short honest line is kinder than a long cheerful one.
Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas?
Both are correct. In the UK 'Happy Christmas' is traditional and 'Merry Christmas' is just as common. Choose the one that sounds like you.
When should I post my Christmas cards in the UK?
Royal Mail publishes last posting dates each year, with second class earlier than first class. We list the dates, and a card-writing planner that works out how many to write each evening, on our free Christmas card posting dates page.
Should I sign cards from the whole family?
Yes, if you are writing as a household: sign with everyone's names, or 'Love from all of us at number 12'. For children, let them sign their own name; a wobbly signature always goes down well with grandparents.
Can I copy these messages?
Yes. They are free to copy, change and use in your own cards. Adding the person's name and one real detail makes any message personal.
Messages written by TCH Works for you to copy and adapt. Posting dates are Royal Mail's; check Royal Mail for the current dates.