What to write in a Christmas card to spread festive cheer

Settling down to write your Christmas card messages can be a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit, especially if you put on your favourite Christmas movie to get into the mood!

It can sometimes be difficult to find the right words to make your message personal or to find an original greeting to include in your Christmas card.

Don’t worry! We’ve got lots of lovely seasonal greetings to suit every recipient, whether you’re writing to a friend, your mother or your boss! We have some great tips to help you choose a personal message too.

If you’re religious and want to reference your faith in your cards, we’ve found the perfect spiritual greetings for your messages.

Looking for more traditional Christmas greetings? We’ve found lots of brilliant Christmas card message ideas for you too.

Main image: Unsplash

How do you write a short Christmas card message?

Sometimes it’s best to stick to a simple sentiment and these iconic festive greetings are a good fallback for those times when you can’t think of what to write. Choose your own classic Christmas card message:

Merry Christmas.
Happy Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Season’s greetings.
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Happy holidays!
Joy to the world.
Noȅl.
‘Tis the season.
Merry and bright.
May your Christmas be bright.
Let it snow!
Have a holly jolly Christmas.
All is merry and bright.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas wishes.
Comfort and joy.
Christmas greetings.
Have a jolly holiday.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Wishing you and your family a merry little Christmas.
Merry Christmas wishes.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Funny Christmas card messages

Make your friends and family giggle with these amusing Christmas card messages:

Merry Christmas! May it be full of wine, beer and good times!
Eat, sleep, repeat. What more could you want for Christmas?
Christmas: the only day where it's acceptable to have Bucks fizz before breakfast.
Mince pies before guys!
Hooray It's Christmas! We can eat and drink as much as we like.
Santa has the best job in the world. Work one day a year and receive endless mince pies.
All I want for Christmas is you (and a [puppy/kitten]).
This card is also your Christmas present.
I didn't get you anything this year because having me as a friend is the greatest gift I could give.
Gin-gle bells, gin-gle bells, gin-gle all the way...

Religious Christmas message for cards

If you’re a practising Christian, you may wish to write a religious message to those who share your faith. Here are some beautiful greetings to send this Christmas:

Christ the saviour is born!
Tidings of comfort and joy to you and your family.
God bless you and your family this Christmas.
Glory to the newborn king! Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
He is the reason for the season.
All is calm, all is bright!
Sending love and prayers to you this Christmas! I hope you find time for rest and reflection.
Blessings to you and all of your family this Christmas.

Make Christmas homemade

Check out our free Christmas printables, including wall art, gift tags and more!

Christmas card messages for family

Send love and warm wishes to your nearest and dearest this Christmas! We’ve got some great ideas for general festive greetings, as well as messages tailored to each family member:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to seeing you this Christmas and giving you your gift!
Happy Christmas! I can’t wait to see you and the kids this festive season.
I’m so excited to spend Christmas with you and the rest of the family!
Christmas is a time for family and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
I’m looking forward to being home for Christmas and spending time with my favourite people in the world.

Christmas card messages for your mum

Show your mum how much you care with these seasonal card messages:

Happy Christmas to the best mum in the world!
Merry Christmas, Mum! I’m so grateful for everything you do for me and I hope you have the Christmas that you deserve.
Merry Christmas to my amazing mum! I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
Season’s greetings! I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas with you this year and I can’t wait to come home.

Christmas card messages for your dad

Make your dad feel special with a personal Christmas message:

Merry Christmas to my incredible dad! I’m so proud to be your son/daughter.
Happy Christmas to the best dad! Thank you for all of the support you’ve given me this year.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the past year. I couldn’t wish for a better dad and I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with you!
Thank you for being an incredible dad! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas card greetings to send to a sibling

These custom Christmas card messages are perfect to send to your brother or sister! Choose the right one for your favourite sibling:

Thank you for being the world’s best brother/sister. I hope you have an amazing time this Christmas – you deserve it!
You deserve the world, but I can only afford to give you this gift voucher. Merry Christmas to my favourite brother/sister!
Have an amazing Christmas and New Year. I’m so proud to call you my brother/sister and you deserve only good things!
Merry Christmas! I’m looking forward to celebrating in style with my little/big brother/sister very soon.

Christmas card messages to write for your child

Christmas card messages give you the opportunity to praise your child and celebrate their best qualities! Here are some suggested festive messages for your children, however old they are:

Merry Christmas! I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of your achievements. You’ve grown into a kind, considerate and intelligent man/woman and I love you so much.
Happy Christmas to my amazing child. I’m so lucky to have such a brilliant son/daughter and can’t wait to see what you achieve in life.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I love you so much and I am so proud of you.
Merry Christmas to my beloved son/daughter! I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with you and making some wonderful new memories.

What to write in a Christmas card to a friend

Writing a Christmas card message to a much-loved friend can be a fun experience, but it can also be very emotional – especially if you’ve been through a lot together.

You could personalise your card by mentioning a happy memory of something you did together in the past year, say how much you value their friendship or thank them for their support during a difficult time.

Say when you’re looking forward to doing in the new year or mention an in-joke that you both find amusing. Here are some great messages to write in a Christmas card to a pal:

Merry Christmas! Thank you for all of the support you’ve given me in the past year. You are a true friend.
Happy Christmas to my best friend in the world! Have a relaxing break and a Happy New Year.
I’m really looking forward to going on holiday with you next year! Here’s to 2023!
Thank you for being a wonderful friend this year. I hope you have a fun Christmas with your family and I can’t wait to catch up with you in the New Year.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year! You deserve to have a restful time with your loved ones.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s been too long since we last saw each other. Looking forward to seeing you for a proper celebration soon!

Learn how to make your own cards

Feeling inspired to craft your own DIY Christmas cards this year? Take a look at our how to make cards section for lots of expert tips and tutorials.

Alternatively, see our round-ups of the best Christmas card making kits.

Christmas card messages for your girlfriend or boyfriend

Christmas can be a romantic time! These cute Christmas card messages are suitable to send to your boyfriend or girlfriend:

All I want for Christmas is you!
Meet me under the mistletoe.
Spending time with you is the best Christmas gift!
Merry kiss-mas!
Sending you love, hugs and kisses this Christmas.
Merry Christmas! You light up my world.
Happy Christmas! I can’t wait to spend the best Christmas of my life with you!
I love you and I’m so excited to be spending Christmas by your side.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and it’s even more wonderful with you here!

What to write in a Christmas card to neighbours

Let your neighbours know you're thinking of them with these lovely Christmas card messages for your neighbour. You could go for a short message as above, or pick from one of these below:

Merry Christmas to our favourite neighbours! Wishing lots of happiness and fun on Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas! Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Happy Christmas! Hope your day is filled with joy.
I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and joy.

What to write in a Christmas card to a coworker

We spend a lot of time with our colleagues, so it’s natural to want to send them a Christmas card! If you get on well with your co-workers, then you can send them a very informal card, but if you don’t know them well then it’s best to use a shorter, more traditional seasonal message.

Here are some easy festive greetings to send to friends at work:

Merry Christmas to my work bestie! I love working with you and it makes the time fly by. Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Happy Christmas! It’s been so much fun working together this year. Hope you have a good break!
Thanks for all of your help and advice this year, I’ve loved working with you! Hope you have a chilled out Christmas and a great New Year.

What to write in a Christmas card to your boss

When you’re writing Christmas cards for your work colleagues, you want to strike the right balance between being friendly and professional.

The same rules apply when you’re writing a card to your boss. If you’re unsure, then it’s best to play it safe and simply wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

If you have a great relationship with your boss, they may appreciate a more personal message. You can thank them for their support throughout the year and say that you hope they have a relaxing break over the holidays.

Here are a few quick Christmas card messages to send to your boss:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you for all of your support this year. I hope you have a relaxing Christmas and New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Happy Christmas! I’ve loved working with you this year and your support has meant a lot to me. Enjoy a restful break and I’ll see you next year.

What to write in a Christmas card for a teacher

Your child’s teacher is an important part of their life! Thank them for their dedication this Christmas with a meaningful message:

Thank you so much for the help you’ve given my child this year! I’ve been so pleased with the progress they’ve made. Have a fantastic Christmas break and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for all you’ve done for my child this year. They always come home excited to tell me about what they’ve been up to in class.
Happy Christmas to an incredible teacher! We’re so thrilled with the support you’ve given our child this year and we hope you have a fantastic time over the holidays.