Guide · Christmas card messages
Christmas card messages: what to write
Lines for family, friends, coworkers, and the military, plus religious, funny, and short ones, and how to write a year-in-review family card.
The short answer
A good Christmas card message has three parts: a greeting, one personal line about the person or your year, and a warm sign-off. Keep coworker cards simple, make family cards specific, and save the long letter for somewhere with more room. Lines for every kind of recipient are below.
Christmas card messages, by who it's for
Short and simple
- “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!”
- “Wishing you peace and joy this season.”
- “Warmest wishes for the holidays.”
- “Merry everything, and happy always.”
- “Thinking of you this Christmas.”
For family
- “Home is wherever we're all together. Merry Christmas.”
- “Thank you for another year of being our favorite people.”
- “Wishing our family a Christmas as full as the table.”
- “However far apart we are, you're with us this Christmas.”
- “Love you all. Save us a seat by the tree.”
For friends
- “Friends like you make the season bright.”
- “Here's to another year of inside jokes. Merry Christmas!”
- “Cheers to you, to us, and to the year ahead.”
- “Wishing you cozy nights and good company.”
- “Merry Christmas to the friend who feels like family.”
For coworkers
- “Thanks for a great year of teamwork. Happy holidays!”
- “Wishing you a restful break and a bright New Year.”
- “It's been a pleasure working with you this year.”
- “Happy holidays! Enjoy every minute away from your inbox.”
- “Thanks for making the hard days easier. Merry Christmas.”
Religious
- “May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas.”
- “Wishing you the joy and hope of the season.”
- “Celebrating the gift of His birth with you and yours.”
- “May the light of Christmas fill your home.”
- “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth.”
For the military
- “Thank you for serving while we celebrate. Merry Christmas.”
- “Wishing you a Christmas full of mail and a safe New Year.”
- “We're saving you a plate and a spot by the tree.”
- “Thank you for the Christmases you've spent away so we could be home.”
- “Proud of you, missing you, and counting down. Merry Christmas.”
A little funny
- “Merry Christmas! We made the nice list. Barely.”
- “May your coffee be strong and your relatives brief.”
- “Wishing you more presents than the dog ate last year.”
- “Eat, drink, and wear stretchy pants.”
- “Our family photo took 74 tries. Enjoy.”
Writing a year-in-review family card
The family letter doesn't have to fit on the card. A Cardbop Christmas card carries the family photo on the front and a short message on the back. Every Cardbop card is a Living Card: the QR code printed on the back opens a page that belongs to that card.
Lead with one line
"Our year, in one card" or "The 2026 season" beats a long letter on the front.
Give everyone a highlight
One sentence each: the new job, the first steps, the team that won, the dog that didn't.
Put the long version behind the QR code
The full letter, the year's best photos, and a video of everyone saying Merry Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
What do you write in a Christmas card?+
A greeting, one personal line about the person or your year, and a warm sign-off. "Merry Christmas! Thank you for another year of being our favorite people. Love, the Parkers" is all it takes. Lines for family, friends, coworkers, and more are above.
What do you write in a Christmas card to a coworker?+
Keep it warm and simple: thank them for the year, wish them a restful break, and avoid anything too personal. "Thanks for a great year of teamwork. Happy holidays!" works for anyone.
What's a good religious Christmas card message?+
"May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas" or "Wishing you the joy and hope of the season." A line of scripture, such as "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth," also fits.
How do you write a family Christmas card about your year?+
Lead with one line, give each person a one-sentence highlight, and put the longer letter and extra photos somewhere else. On a Cardbop card, that's the page behind the QR code.
Can a Christmas card include more photos?+
Every Cardbop card is a Living Card: the QR code printed on the back opens a page that belongs to that card. Put the family photo on the front and the year's other photos, the letter, and a video behind the code. A single card in a case is $29.99.
Give your message a card of its own
Choose a favorite photo, add your Christmas message, and preview both sides. Free to design; pay only when you order.