The holiday season is a time to reconnect with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and everyone else who helped make your year special. Whether you’re sending Christmas cards, holiday cards, or New Year’s greetings, finding the right words can sometimes be the hardest part. From heartfelt holiday wishes and cheerful greetings to funny messages, professional notes, and short sayings for cards, we’ve gathered plenty of ideas to help you write a message that feels personal, thoughtful, and true to your relationship with the recipient.
Jump to:
- What to Write in a Holiday Card
- Holiday Card Wishes
- Merry Christmas
- Short
- Funny
- Business
- For Family
- For Friends
- Romantic
- For Kids
- Pet
- New Year Wishes
- Holiday Quotes
- FAQs
What to Write in a Holiday Card
Not sure what to write in a holiday card? The best messages don’t need to be long or elaborate. A few thoughtful words can make someone feel remembered and appreciated during the holiday season. Whether you’re writing to close family members, longtime friends, coworkers, clients, or neighbors, focus on sincerity and choose a message that fits your relationship.
Start with a warm greeting.
Open with a festive greeting like “Happy Holidays,” “Season’s Greetings,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season.” Your greeting helps set the tone for the rest of the message.
Add a personal touch.
Including a shared memory, life update, expression of gratitude, or mention of the recipient makes your card feel more meaningful. Even a simple sentence can make your holiday message feel genuine and memorable.
Share your holiday wishes.
Let the recipient know what you’re wishing for them in the coming season and year ahead. Wishes for happiness, peace, health, success, and time with loved ones are timeless options that work for nearly anyone.
Match your message to the recipient.
A note to your best friend will naturally sound different from a message to a client or coworker. Family members may appreciate something sentimental, while professional contacts typically benefit from warm but polished language.
Keep it simple if you’re short on space.
Holiday card messages don’t need to be lengthy. A thoughtful sentence paired with a family photo or personalized card design can be just as meaningful as a longer note.
End with a warm closing.
Finish with a sign-off that feels natural, such as “With Love,” “Thinking of You,” “Warm Wishes,” “Happy Holidays,” or “Wishing You All the Best in the New Year.”
General Happy Holidays Messages
Looking for simple, universal holiday card messages? These cheerful greetings work for friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else you want to send a little seasonal joy.
- Wishing you a season filled with warmth, laughter, and joy.
- Happy Holidays! May your days be merry and bright.
- Sending festive cheer and good tidings your way.
- Wishing you a holiday season wrapped in love and happiness.
- May your holidays sparkle with moments of joy and laughter.
- Sending heartfelt holiday wishes to you and yours.
- Cheers to a joyful holiday and a prosperous New Year!
- Wishing you peace, love, and holiday magic.
- Happy Holidays! May this season bring you everything you hope for.
- Season’s Greetings! May your days be filled with warmth and happiness.
- Hoping your holiday season is full of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.
- Wishing you a cozy and cheerful holiday season with those you love.
- May your heart and home be filled with holiday cheer.
- Sending smiles and good cheer your way this holiday season.
- Wishing you joy, peace, and plenty of sweet holiday treats!
Merry Christmas Wishes
When you want to celebrate Christmas itself, these Christmas card greetings are perfect. From classic to religious to lighthearted, they capture the spirit of the season.
- Merry Christmas! Wishing you love, joy, and festive cheer.
- May your Christmas be merry, bright, and full of laughter.
- Wishing you a Christmas wrapped in joy and sprinkled with magic.
- Sending love and Christmas blessings to you and your family.
- May the spirit of Christmas fill your home and heart this season.
- Merry Christmas! May all your days be merry and bright.
- Wishing you peace, love, and all the joys of Christmas.
- Celebrate the season with laughter, love, and delicious treats!
- Merry Christmas! May your heart be full and your stockings even fuller.
- Wishing you cozy nights, twinkling lights, and all the Christmas magic.
- May your Christmas be filled with family, friends, and festive fun.
- Sending Christmas cheer wrapped in love and happiness.
- Merry Christmas! May every moment sparkle with joy.
- Wishing you a Christmas as warm and bright as your heart.
- May your days be merry, your nights be cozy, and your Christmas unforgettable.
Short Holiday Card Messages
Sometimes a few simple words are all you need to spread holiday cheer. These short holiday card messages are perfect for photo cards, gift tags, social posts, or anyone who prefers a concise greeting.
- Wishing you peace, joy, and happiness this holiday season.
- Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
- Sending warm wishes for a joyful season.
- May your holidays be merry and bright.
- Wishing you all the best this holiday season and beyond.
- Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year.
- Thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
- May your days be filled with laughter and cherished moments.
- Sending holiday cheer your way.
- Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
- Here’s to peace, love, and happiness this holiday season.
- Wishing you a season full of joy and celebration.
- Happy Holidays from our family to yours.
- May the magic of the season stay with you all year long.
- Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and a bright New Year.
Funny Holiday Card Greetings
Add a little laughter to the season with these funny holiday card messages. Whether you’re poking fun at holiday shopping, family traditions, or the annual race to get everything done before the new year, these lighthearted greetings are sure to bring a smile.
- We finally found a family photo where everyone is looking in roughly the same direction. Happy Holidays!
- Sending holiday cheer and proof that we managed to get our cards in the mail this year.
- Wishing you a holiday season that’s as joyful as finally crossing everything off your to-do list.
- Consider this your official reminder to enjoy the holidays and stop checking your email.
- May your holidays be filled with laughter, memories, and at least one successful group photo.
Business Holiday Card Greetings
Show appreciation to coworkers, clients, and colleagues with professional holiday card messages that are festive yet polished—perfect for spreading cheer in the workplace.
- Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a successful New Year.
- Season’s Greetings! Thank you for a wonderful year of partnership.
- Wishing you peace, joy, and prosperity this holiday season.
- Happy Holidays! Looking forward to continued success in the New Year.
- Warm holiday wishes to you and your team.
- Thank you for your support and collaboration this year—happy holidays!
- Wishing you a festive season filled with happiness and cheer.
- May your holidays be merry, bright, and productive-free.
- Season’s Greetings! Here’s to a joyful and successful New Year.
- Warmest wishes for a happy holiday and a prosperous year ahead.
- Thank you for your trust and partnership this year—happy holidays!
- Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a bright New Year.
- May this season bring you peace, joy, and relaxation.
- Season’s Greetings! Looking forward to what we’ll accomplish together next year.
- Happy Holidays! Thank you for helping make this year extraordinary.
Holiday Wishes for Family
Family is at the heart of the season. These holiday card greetings for family convey love and gratitude to parents, siblings, grandparents, and all your nearest and dearest.
- Wishing our family a holiday season full of laughter and love.
- May the magic of Christmas bring us all closer together this year.
- Happy Holidays to the ones who make every day brighter!
- Sending love and festive cheer to our wonderful family.
- May our home be filled with laughter, hugs, and holiday cookies!
- Wishing you peace, love, and countless holiday memories.
- Happy Holidays! So grateful for family like you.
- May the joy of the season fill your hearts and home.
- Sending warm wishes and lots of holiday hugs to all of you.
- Merry Christmas! May our family’s love shine brighter than the lights on the tree.
- Wishing our family a festive season full of smiles, stories, and sweet moments.
- Happy Holidays! So glad to celebrate another year together.
- May laughter, love, and joy fill your holiday season.
- Sending festive cheer to the best family anyone could ask for.
- Wishing you all the magic and wonder of Christmas this year.
Holiday Messages for Friends
Friends make the holidays brighter. These holiday wishes for friends range from heartfelt and sentimental to playful and fun, perfect for your social circle.
- Cheers to friends, fun, and holiday cheer!
- Wishing you laughter, love, and extra cookies this season.
- Happy Holidays! So grateful for your friendship all year long.
- May your holiday season sparkle as brightly as you do!
- Sending festive wishes and cozy vibes your way.
- Merry Christmas! Can’t wait to make more memories next year.
- Hoping your holidays are full of joy, laughter, and little surprises.
- Wishing you a season as fabulous as you are.
- Happy Holidays! May your cocoa be hot and your cookies endless.
- To a friend who makes life brighter—cheers to a joyful holiday season!
- Wishing you peace, love, and all the holiday treats you deserve.
- May your holidays be merry, your New Year bright, and your heart light.
- Sending laughter, hugs, and festive cheer your way.
- Happy Holidays! Time for hot cocoa, warm blankets, and good friends.
- Wishing you joy, love, and holiday mischief in the best way possible.
Romantic Holiday Messages
Celebrate the season with your special someone. These holiday messages are sweet, cozy, and filled with love for partners, spouses, or anyone close to your heart.
- Wishing you a holiday season as warm and bright as your love.
- Merry Christmas to the one who makes my heart sparkle all year.
- Sending kisses, hugs, and festive cheer to the love of my life.
- May our holidays be full of laughter, love, and cozy nights together.
- Happy Holidays! Grateful to celebrate this season with you.
- You’re my favorite gift every Christmas.
- Wishing us both a magical season filled with love and joy.
- Merry Christmas! Here’s to cuddles by the fire and memories to last a lifetime.
- To my love: may our holidays be merry, bright, and unforgettable.
- Wishing you warmth, love, and all the holiday magic you deserve.
- Happy Holidays! Grateful for every moment we share together.
- You make every day brighter—especially this holiday season.
- Merry Christmas to my partner, my best friend, my everything.
- Wishing you love, laughter, and a season full of cozy memories.
- Here’s to a holiday season as magical as the love we share.
Holiday Messages for Kids
Bring the magic of the holidays to life with holiday wishes for kids that are fun, silly, and full of wonder—perfect for little ones eagerly awaiting Santa.
- Merry Christmas! Hope your holidays are filled with magic and candy canes.
- Wishing you snowball fights, hot cocoa, and holiday cheer!
- Ho Ho Ho! May Santa bring you everything on your list.
- Happy Holidays! Time for fun, laughter, and holiday adventures.
- Wishing you a season full of giggles, joy, and sprinkles on cookies.
- Merry Christmas! Don’t forget to leave cookies for Santa.
- May your holidays be as bright and cheerful as your smile.
- Happy Holidays! Hope your days are merry and your nights cozy.
- Sending festive cheer and lots of hugs your way.
- Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be full of surprises and joy.
- Wishing you laughter, fun, and holiday magic at every turn.
- Happy Holidays! Enjoy the twinkling lights, candy canes, and festive treats.
- May your Christmas be filled with giggles.
Pet-Themed Holiday Messages
Our pets are part of the family too! These pet holiday card greetings are playful, pun-filled, and perfect for sharing the joy your furry (or feathered) friends bring.
- Wishing you paws, cuddles, and holiday cheer!
- Merry Christmas from our family… and our furry friends!
- May your holidays be filled with wagging tails and warm snuggles.
- Happy Howl-idays! Sending treats, toys, and lots of love.
- Paws, play, and holiday joy to you and your family.
- Wishing you a tail-wagging, purr-fect holiday season!
- From our pack to yours—have a magical Christmas.
- May your holidays be full of wet noses, warm cuddles, and festive fun.
- Merry Christmas! Don’t forget extra treats for the four-legged family members.
- Wishing you joy, love, and plenty of belly rubs this holiday season.
- Happy Holidays! May your home be filled with purrs, paws, and happiness.
- Fur-ever grateful for friends, family, and festive cuddles.
- From whiskers to wagging tails—sending holiday cheer your way!
- Merry Christmas! May your days be cozy and your pets extra playful.
- Wishing you a joyful holiday season from all of us (pets included!).
Happy New Year Wishes
Celebrate the year ahead with New Year wishes focused on fresh starts, new opportunities, and hopeful beginnings. These messages are perfect for holiday cards sent around the New Year or for anyone looking to end the season on an uplifting note.
- Wishing you a New Year filled with joy, success, and unforgettable moments.
- Cheers to a fresh start and a year full of happiness!
- May your New Year sparkle with laughter, love, and adventure.
- Here’s to health, happiness, and all the wonderful things ahead.
- Wishing you a year as bright and magical as the holiday season.
- Happy New Year! May every day be filled with love and laughter.
- May your resolutions come true and your dreams take flight.
- Ring in the New Year with joy, cheer, and endless smiles.
- Wishing you 365 days of happiness, love, and laughter!
- Happy New Year! Let’s make this one the best yet.
- May your year be merry, bright, and full of possibility.
- Sending warm holiday wishes and a New Year full of promise.
- Cheers to a joyful holiday season and a fresh, exciting year ahead.
- Wishing you laughter, love, and success in the New Year.
- May the New Year bring you closer to everything you hope for.
Holiday Quotes
Sometimes the perfect words have already been written. These holiday quotes—from classic sayings to inspiring lines—add warmth, wisdom, and timeless charm to your seasonal greetings. They’re a great choice if you’re not sure what to write in a holiday card but want your message to feel meaningful.
- “I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual.” -Henry David Thoreau
- “Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” -William Arthur Ward
- “Christmas is a time when you get homesick—even when you’re home.” -Carol Nelson
- “Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” -Dale Evans
- “Colorful candles burning bright, each lit on eight very special nights.” -Anonymous
- “Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame. Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.” -Hannah Senesh
- “Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” -Alexander the Great
- “Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.” -Victor Borge
- “You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” -Maya Angelou
- “There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.” -Bob Phillips
- “Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.” -Mary Ellen Chase
- “All holidays can be good times.” -John Clayton
- “Nothing says holidays like a cheese log.” -Ellen DeGeneres
- “We need a six month holiday, twice a year.” -Anonymous
- “I find that it’s the simple things that remind you of family around the holidays.” -Amy Adams
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Card Messages
What should I write in a holiday card?
A thoughtful holiday card message typically includes a warm greeting, a personal note, and wishes for the holiday season or upcoming year. The best messages feel sincere and reflect your relationship with the recipient.
What is a good Happy Holidays message?
A simple message like “Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with peace, happiness, and time with loved ones” works well for friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and professional contacts.
How do you write a holiday card to someone you don’t know well?
Keep your message warm and universal. Focus on wishing the recipient happiness, good health, and a wonderful holiday season without including deeply personal details.
What is the difference between a holiday card and a Christmas card message?
Holiday card messages are inclusive and can be shared with people who celebrate different traditions throughout the season. Christmas card messages specifically reference Christmas and related celebrations.
How long should a holiday card message be?
Holiday card messages can be as short as a single sentence or as long as a personal letter. Most people choose a few thoughtful lines that express holiday wishes and appreciation.
What do you write in a holiday card for coworkers?
Professional holiday card messages should be warm, positive, and respectful. Thanking coworkers for their support during the year and wishing them a happy holiday season is always appropriate.
What are some professional holiday wishes for clients?
Client holiday messages should express gratitude while maintaining a professional tone. A simple note thanking them for their partnership and wishing them success and happiness in the year ahead works well.
What are some short holiday wishes for cards?
Short holiday wishes include:
- Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year.
- Wishing you joy this holiday season.
- Season’s Greetings.
- Sending warm holiday wishes.
- May your holidays be merry and bright.
