Holiday card messages: 60 ideas for family, friends, coworkers and clients

The best holiday card message is short, warm and sounds like you. One or two lines is plenty. Below are 60 messages by who the card is for, plus how to sign off and when to send.

How to write a holiday card message

1. Open with their name, even on a card to a whole family.
2. Add one line about them or your year together. A shared memory beats any poem.
3. Close with a wish for the season or the new year.
4. Sign with names everyone will recognise. The Garcias works for close friends; Ana and Luis Garcia for clients.

Happy holidays or Merry Christmas?

Say happy holidays or season's greetings for coworkers, clients and anyone whose traditions you don't know. It covers Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year at once. Say Merry Christmas to people you know celebrate it.

60 holiday card messages

Swap in your own names and details.

Family

1. Merry Christmas to the people who make every year feel like home.
2. Wishing our favourite family a season full of laughter and second helpings.
3. However far apart we are, you are at our table this Christmas.
4. Thank you for every phone call, visit and pep talk this year. We love you.
5. Here's to more time together in the new year. Happy holidays.
6. To Mom and Dad: thank you for every Christmas you made magic. Our turn now.
7. Missing you this season and counting the days until we're together.
8. The kids made us promise to tell you they've been very good. Mostly.

Friends

9. Happy holidays to the friend who makes every year better.
10. Thanks for the late-night talks, the bad movies and the good advice. Merry Christmas.
11. Wishing you a cozy season and a new year full of adventures we can share.
12. Of all the gifts this year, your friendship was the best one.
13. Cheers to another year of friendship. Let's not wait until next December to catch up.
14. Sending love, cookies and a standing invitation for coffee in January.
15. Here's to the friends who feel like family. Happy holidays.

Family and friends

16. Warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year.
17. May your home be warm, your table full and your heart light this season.
18. Wishing you joy, rest and plenty of time with the people you love.
19. Peace, love and joy to you and yours this holiday season.
20. Thinking of you this season with gratitude and love.
21. From our home to yours, happy holidays and a bright new year.

Coworkers and colleagues

22. Happy holidays to the best team I could ask for.
23. Thanks for the teamwork, the patience and the snacks. Enjoy a well-earned break.
24. Wishing you a restful holiday and a great start to the new year.
25. It's been a pleasure working with you this year. Season's greetings.
26. Here's to fewer meetings and more celebrations. Happy holidays.
27. Thank you for making the hard days easier and the good days better.
28. Enjoy the time off. You've more than earned it.

Your boss

29. Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Happy holidays.
30. Wishing you a restful break and a wonderful new year.
31. I've learned so much working with you this year. Season's greetings.
32. Thank you for believing in the team. Enjoy the holidays.

Employees and staff

33. Thank you for your hard work and dedication this year. Happy holidays.
34. This year's wins belong to you. Enjoy a well-earned rest.
35. We couldn't have done it without you. Wishing you and your family a wonderful season.
36. Thank you for everything you brought to the team this year. See you in the new year.
37. Rest, recharge and celebrate. You've earned every minute.
38. Grateful for each of you this season and excited for what's next.

Clients and customers

39. Thank you for your business and your trust this year. Happy holidays.
40. Wishing you a joyful season and a prosperous new year.
41. It has been a pleasure working with you. Season's greetings from all of us.
42. Thank you for being part of our year. We look forward to the next one together.
43. Warm wishes for the holidays and continued success in the new year.
44. Our customers make what we do possible. Thank you, and happy holidays.
45. Season's greetings and best wishes for the year ahead, from the whole team.

Teachers

46. Thank you for making school a place our child loves. Happy holidays.
47. Wishing you a restful break. You've earned it with every lesson.
48. Thank you for your patience, kindness and all the glitter. Merry Christmas.
49. Our family is grateful for everything you do. Enjoy the holidays.

Merry Christmas

50. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
51. May the magic of Christmas fill your home with joy.
52. Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, wonder and good food.
53. Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

Funny

54. Wishing you a holiday season with more cookies than calories.
55. May your coffee be strong and your relatives be few. Happy holidays.
56. We tried to get a nice family photo. This card is what you get instead.
57. Eat, drink and be merry. Diets start in January. Maybe.
58. Our elf on the shelf has seen things. Happy holidays anyway.

New year

59. Here's to a new year of health, happiness and more time together.
60. Cheers to the year behind us and all the good things ahead.

How to sign a holiday card

• Family and friends: With love, Love always, Hugs from all of us.
• Coworkers and your boss: Warm wishes, Best wishes, All the best.
• Clients and customers: Season's greetings, With gratitude, then your name and the company.

When to send holiday cards

Mail paper cards in the first two weeks of December so they arrive well before the 25th. International cards need about three weeks. A card sent by text or email can go any day up to New Year, though early December still lands best.

Sending one by text

Most holiday messages are read on a phone now (four free ways to send one). A free sealed note turns your message into a link that opens as an envelope with a wax seal, so a text still feels like a card. Hosting a holiday party instead? Paper&Seal holiday party invitations are free for up to 25 guests, and the Christmas party invitation wording guide has 50 lines to start from.