Guide · Christmas 2026 · About a 6-minute read
What to write in a Christmas card
You've got the pile of cards and the pen, and your mind has gone blank. Here are ready-to-use Christmas messages for everyone on your list, from Gran to the client you've only met on video calls. Copy them as they are or change a word or two to make them yours.
The easy formula
A good card message has three parts: the greeting ("Merry Christmas"), one personal line (something about them or your year together), and the sign-off. The personal line is what people remember, so even one short sentence is worth it.
For family
- Merry Christmas! We can't wait to see you all and eat far too much. Love from all of us.
- Wishing you a Christmas as lovely as you are, and a happy and healthy New Year.
- To the best Mum and Dad: thank you for everything this year. Merry Christmas, with all our love.
- Merry Christmas, Gran. Save us a seat by the fire and a mince pie (or three).
- Happy Christmas to my favourite sister. Here's to more laughs and fewer arguments over the Monopoly board.
- Sending love across the miles this Christmas. We'll be thinking of you on the day.
- Merry Christmas to the grandchildren! Be good for Santa and leave him a carrot for the reindeer.
- Happy first Christmas, little one! Your first of many, and we're so glad you're here.
For your partner
- Merry Christmas to my favourite person. Every year with you is the best present I get.
- Happy Christmas, my love. Thank you for this year and for every cup of tea you've made me.
- Our first Christmas together. Here's to many more. All my love.
- Merry Christmas! I'd still choose you over the last roast potato. That's love.
- To my husband: thank you for being my teammate in everything. Merry Christmas, with all my love.
- To my wife: you make Christmas feel like Christmas. Love you always.
For friends
- Merry Christmas! Thanks for another year of brilliant chats and terrible decisions. Let's do it all again in the New Year.
- Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas. We must catch up properly in January.
- Happy Christmas to a friend who feels like family.
- Merry Christmas! May your Wi-Fi be strong and your sprouts be optional.
- It's been a big year for you. Have a wonderful, restful Christmas. You've earned it.
- Season's greetings from our house to yours. Here's to a happy and healthy New Year.
Funny Christmas card messages
- Merry Christmas! I've been good this year. Mostly. Some of the time.
- Here's to eating our body weight in pigs in blankets and calling it tradition.
- Wishing you a Christmas with no flat batteries and no missing pieces.
- Merry Christmas! Remember: calories don't count between 24 December and 1 January.
- May your turkey be moist, your crackers be loud and your jokes be slightly better than the ones inside them.
- Have a cracking Christmas. Sorry. I'll see myself out.
For colleagues and your boss
- Wishing you a restful Christmas and a happy New Year. Thanks for all your help this year.
- Merry Christmas! It's been a pleasure working with you. Enjoy the break.
- Season's greetings, and thank you for being such a great team to work with.
- Have a wonderful Christmas and a well-earned rest. See you in the New Year.
- Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas.
For clients and customers
- Thank you for your business this year. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
- Season's greetings from all of us at [business]. We look forward to working with you in 2027.
- With warm wishes for the festive season and thanks for your continued support.
- Wishing you a happy holiday season and every success in the New Year.
- It's been a pleasure working with you this year. Merry Christmas, and here's to more of the same in 2027.
- Thank you for choosing us this year. Have a wonderful Christmas, from everyone at [business].
If you're sending to clients, check whether your business closes over Christmas and add the dates on a separate line, such as "We're closed from 24 December and back on 4 January."
For teachers, nursery staff and carers
- Thank you for everything you do for [child]. Have a lovely Christmas and a well-deserved rest.
- Merry Christmas! Thank you for making [child]'s year so happy.
- With thanks for your kindness and patience this year. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
- To [name] and the whole team: thank you for looking after Mum so well. Merry Christmas from all the family.
For neighbours
- Merry Christmas from number [house number]! Thanks for being such great neighbours.
- Wishing you a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Knock any time if you need anything.
- Season's greetings, and thank you for taking our parcels in all year.
- Merry Christmas! Thanks for keeping an eye on the house when we're away.
Religious Christmas messages
- Wishing you the joy and peace of Christ this Christmas.
- May the blessings of Christmas fill your heart and home.
- Celebrating the birth of Jesus with you this Christmas. With love and prayers.
- "For unto us a child is born." Wishing you a blessed and holy Christmas.
- May the light of Christmas be with you now and through the New Year.
Non-religious and inclusive wishes
- Season's greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
- Happy holidays! Wishing you rest, warmth and good company.
- Wishing you a peaceful festive season and a bright 2027.
- Warmest wishes for the holidays and the year ahead.
For someone who is grieving or having a hard year
- Thinking of you this Christmas. I know it will be a hard one, and I'm here whenever you need me.
- Wishing you peace and comfort this Christmas. [Name] is very much in our thoughts.
- Sending you love this Christmas. No need to reply, just know we're thinking of you.
- I know this year has been tough. Wishing you gentle days over Christmas and better ones in 2027.
For people you rarely see
- Merry Christmas! It's been far too long. Our news: [one line]. We'd love to hear yours.
- Wishing you a happy Christmas. We think of you often and hope 2027 brings us a catch-up.
- Season's greetings from [town]! Here's our year in one line: [your news].
How to sign off
- Close family and friends: With love from, Lots of love, All our love, Hugs.
- Friends and neighbours: Warm wishes, Best wishes, Love from all at number 12.
- Work and clients: Best wishes, Kind regards, With thanks and best wishes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a simple thing to write in a Christmas card?
- "Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, with love from [your names]" is always right. Add one personal line, such as a memory from this year or a hope for next year, and it stops feeling like a form.
- What do you write in a work Christmas card?
- Keep it warm but neutral: "Wishing you a restful Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you for all your help this year." Use "Season's greetings" or "Happy holidays" if you don't know whether the person celebrates Christmas.
- What do you write in a Christmas card to someone who has lost a loved one?
- Acknowledge it gently rather than ignoring it: "Thinking of you this Christmas. I know it will be a hard one, and I'm here if you need anything." Avoid "Merry" if it feels wrong; "Wishing you peace and comfort" works well.
- How do you sign a Christmas card?
- "With love from" for family and close friends, "Best wishes" or "Warm wishes" for colleagues and neighbours, and "Kind regards" for clients. Sign from the whole household and add the children's or pets' names if that's your family's style.
- Should I write a long message in a Christmas card?
- Two or three lines is plenty for most cards. Save a longer update for the people you rarely see, or slip in a short letter.
Want your message printed in the card for you?
TCH Works sells personalised Christmas cards from £3.99 with UK delivery included. You type your message for the inside (paste any of the ones above), add a name to the front, and we print and post it straight to the person, so there's no queue at the post office. Order a few working days before Royal Mail's last posting dates so it has time to be printed.
See personalised Christmas cards · from £3.99
Or print your cards at home
Out of cards, or want one tonight? Our print-at-home Christmas cards give you 15 designs that print on A4 and fold to A5. The printed-message version already has a line inside to match each design, or print the blank version and write one of the messages above. £2.99 for all 15.