What to Write on a Christmas Card: Thoughtful Messages for Every Occasion

In our master guide to gift-giving, we explored winter holiday gift-giving etiquette in both professional and personal settings around the world. One detail appeared time and again as quietly essential: a well-written card.

A gift may be beautifully chosen, but it is the words that give it meaning. A few carefully chosen lines can transform even the simplest gift into something personal, memorable, and deeply felt.

To continue Scriveiner’s holiday gift-giving series, we have created an easy, practical cheat sheet for Christmas cards. Below, you will find clear guidance and ready-to-use examples for every important relationship in your life.

Without further ado, here are our suggestions for what to write on a Christmas card.

 

 

What to Write on a Christmas Card for a Colleague or Business Partner

When writing to a colleague or business partner, the tone should remain warm yet professional. This is not the place for deeply personal reflections, but neither should it feel cold or automatic. Aim for goodwill, appreciation, and optimism for the year ahead.

Keep the message concise, neutral, and inclusive. Avoid overly emotional language, humour that could be misread, or references that assume personal familiarity.

short and simple

• wishing you a joyful Christmas and a successful year ahead.

• season’s greetings, with best wishes for the new year.

• warm Christmas wishes and continued success in the coming year.

polite and professional

• wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year.

• with best wishes for the festive season and every success in the year ahead.

• may the festive season bring rest, reflection, and renewed energy for the year to come.

slightly more personal

• thank you for your collaboration this year. wishing you a restful Christmas and continued success in the new year.

• it has been a pleasure working with you this year. warm wishes for Christmas and the year ahead.

What to Write on a Christmas Card for Your Boss or Mentor

A card for a boss or mentor should communicate respect, gratitude, and professionalism. This is an opportunity to acknowledge guidance, leadership, or support without becoming overly familiar.

Focus on appreciation for their role in your growth or the team’s success, and keep the tone measured and sincere.

respectful and appreciative

• Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a successful year ahead. Thank you for your guidance and leadership.

• Warm Christmas wishes, with sincere thanks for your continued support throughout the year.

acknowledging mentorship

• Thank you for your leadership and encouragement this year. Wishing you a restful Christmas and a rewarding year ahead.

• your guidance has been greatly appreciated. Best wishes for a joyful Christmas and continued success.

formal yet warm

• With best wishes for the festive season, and appreciation for your leadership throughout the year.

• Wishing you a happy Christmas and every success in the year to come.

What to Write on a Christmas Card for a Friend or Close Relative

Cards for friends and close family allow for warmth, familiarity, and shared memories. This is the space to express gratitude, affection, and joy in the connection you share.

You may reference time spent together, challenges overcome, or simply the comfort of knowing one another. Keep it heartfelt, but natural.

warm and friendly

• Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a new year filled with laughter and good moments.

• So grateful for you this year and always. merry Christmas.

reflective and thankful

• Thank you for all the laughs, support, and shared moments this year. Wishing you a joyful Christmas.

• Christmas feels brighter with you in my life. Here’s to more memories in the year ahead.

longer and personal

• This year has been richer for having you in it. Thank you for every conversation, every laugh, and every moment of support. Wishing you a warm and joyful Christmas.

• From shared memories to future plans, i’m grateful for it all. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

What to Write on a Christmas Card for a Spouse or Loved One

A card for a partner or loved one is an opportunity to express love, appreciation, and emotional support. This is the most personal of Christmas messages and should reflect sincerity above all else.

You may acknowledge shared challenges, quiet moments, or simply the comfort of being together.

tender and loving

• Merry Christmas to the one who makes every day brighter.

• Christmas is better with you by my side.

deeply personal

• Thank you for your love, patience, and strength. I am endlessly grateful for you. Merry Christmas.

• through every season, you are my constant. Wishing us a warm and joyful Christmas together.

reflective and heartfelt

• This year has had its moments, but sharing it with you has meant everything. Merry Christmas, with all my love.

• I couldn’t ask for a greater gift than you. Christmas and always.

What to Write on a Christmas Card for a Child or Grandchild

Writing a Christmas card to a child allows for warmth, encouragement, and a sense of wonder. Whether for your own child, a niece or nephew, or a grandchild, keep the message uplifting and supportive.

Express pride, belief in their potential, and joy in watching them grow.

simple and joyful

• Merry Christmas! May your day be full of magic and fun.

• wishing you the happiest Christmas and lots of exciting adventures ahead.

loving and encouraging

• So proud of you and all that you are becoming. Merry Christmas.

• Watching you grow brings us so much joy. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.

inspiring and warm

• Never stop being curious, kind, and brave. Merry Christmas with all our love.

• May your Christmas be full of laughter, dreams, and everything that makes you smile.

Before we move on with other Christmas preparations,

A Christmas card does not need to be long or elaborate to be meaningful. What matters is intention: choosing words that reflect the relationship, the moment, and the feeling you wish to leave behind. When written by hand, those words carry an added weight, like a quiet signal that time, care, and thought were given.

Written with care, a card becomes more than an accompaniment to a gift. It becomes a keepsake: a small, lasting reminder that someone took the time to write, by hand, just for them.

As a small contribution to that confidence, Scriveiner has created a set of Christmas writing drills to help refine letterforms, rhythm, and flow. They are designed to be simple, calming, and practical. A quiet moment with pen and paper before the card is written. Our writing drills are available for free here for as long as you need them.