What to write in a Christmas card - 39 festive message ideas

Christmas is a time full of love and joy. And what better way to spread some festive cheer than with a personalised Christmas card?

Of course, you’ll want each card to have a unique and thoughtful message, but with lots of cards to send, it can be hard to nail down what you want to say. Especially if you’re sending wishes to a range of people. Luckily, we’re here to help.

If you’re struggling with what to write in a Christmas card, we’ve got some examples to help you feel inspired. From things to write in your significant other’s card to Christmas messages for different family members, take a look at our list of ideas.

Jump to:

1. What to write in a Christmas card for a friend
2. What to write in a partner’s Christmas card
3. What to write in a Christmas card for your family
4. More ways to personalise your Christmas cards

Getting ready to write your Christmas greetings

But first things first. The key to writing your own Christmas cards is preparation.

Start off by making a list of who you want to send a card to. This’ll help you work out how many cards you need - and how long you’ll need to write them all. Begin with friends and family and then think about other people you’d like to share a Christmas message with, from your colleagues to your neighbours. Next, make sure you’ve got all your cards, stamps and envelopes ready so you can get to the writing without worrying about running out.

Now comes the hard part. When you’re writing Christmas card messages, there are a few things you can do to make the process a bit easier:

• Split up your list - Whether you want to send cards to 5 or 50 people, splitting it up by group will make the task seem more manageable. This way, you can dip in and out and not feel pressure to finish writing everything in one go.
• Leave yourself plenty of time - Christmas is a busy period for many of us, and no one wants to add rushing to write cards to their to-do list! So, make sure you set aside enough time to finish them off. If you’re ordering cards online, we also recommend doing so 4-6 weeks before you want to post them so you’ve got plenty of time to sign and send (and a bit of wiggle room if there are delays).
• Opt for direct delivery - If you know you are going to be short on time, choosing direct delivery cards can be a good way to get ahead and make sure you get your cards sent in time. While you can’t give a handwritten note, you can still customise your cards with your pictures and add your own message.

So, now that you’re feeling prepared, let’s take a look at our Christmas greeting ideas:

What to write in a Christmas card for a friend

If you’re looking for funny messages to write in a Christmas card or heartfelt ideas for your loved ones, here are some things you could say to friends:

For close friends:

• Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year (because you get to see me!)
• Merry Christmas! Sending warm wishes and hoping we can catch up soon
• Sending all my love this holiday season - here’s to another great year ahead

For new friends:

• So glad we met! Wishing you a fantastic Christmas
• Here’s to new friendships and festive celebrations! Merry Christmas
• It’s been great getting to know you this year and I can’t wait for what’s next - Happy Christmas

For work friends:

• It’s always a pleasure to work with you and see you in the office - Have a great Christmas!
• Hope you have a great festive break and see you in the new year!
• Happy Christmas! Wishing you a holiday filled with joy and some well-deserved rest

Tip: If you’ve got friends who live far away, why not send a card with a removable photo? That way you can share a memento of time spent together and they can keep it long after the holiday season.

What to write in a partner’s Christmas card

From what to write in your boyfriend/ husband’s Christmas card to Christmas greetings for your girlfriend/wife, here are some ideas for writing a message for your significant other:

For a wife:

• To my beautiful wife, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
• Here’s to our first Christmas together - and many more to come!
• Wishing you a Christmas filled with good food, bad TV and some time to ourselves

For a husband:

• Merry Christmas to my partner in crime! Here’s to more adventures and memories in the year ahead
• There’s no one I’d rather spend Christmas with
• I’m so happy we get to celebrate Christmas together. Thank you for being my rock and my best friend

For a girlfriend

• You’re the best Christmas gift I could ask for
• Here’s to cosy nights, festive lights and spending the holidays together
• Merry Christmas to the best girlfriend in the world - you mean so much to me and I can’t wait to celebrate together

For a boyfriend

• Spending the holidays with you is my favourite time of the year
• You’ve made this year one of the best and I’m so excited to celebrate our first Christmas together
• I’m so grateful that I get to spend Christmas with you by my side

Tip: Whether it’s your first or your tenth holiday season together, taking the time to write a personalised message in your partner’s Christmas card can be a great way to show how much your special someone means to you. And if you’re looking for the perfect present to top it all off, a photo gift of your favourite memory together will pull on their heartstrings and remind you both of happy times.

What to write in a Christmas card for your family

If you need inspiration for cards for your parents or are wondering what to write in a child’s Christmas card, here are some seasonal wishes you can share with your family:

For mum

• Merry Christmas, Mum! Thanks for always making the holidays feel extra special
• Happy Christmas to the best mum ever! Thanks for all you do
• Happy Christmas, Mum - Can’t wait to come home and celebrate with you and Dad

For dad

• Cheers, Dad! Hope your Christmas is filled with good food, good company, and a festive drink (or two)!
• Merry Christmas, Dad! Looking forward to celebrating together this year
• Happy Christmas, Dad! Let’s eat, drink and be merry

For a sister/daughter

• Merry Christmas, sweetheart! Wishing you lots of love and joy this holiday season
• Happy Christmas, sis - looking forward to spending some time together
• Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoy the holidays and love your presents!

For a brother/son

• Here’s to a brilliant Christmas! Looking forward to spending time with you and having a few laughs
• Wishing you a cracking Christmas, mate! Let’s enjoy the festive fun
• Merry Christmas, son! Hope you enjoy it

For a grandparent

• Wishing you a lovely Christmas, Gran/Grandad! Can’t wait to spend the day together
• Merry Christmas Gran/Grandad! Hope you have a great day
• Happy Christmas! Thinking of you and sending lots of love

For a grandchild

• Merry Christmas, little one, looking forward to seeing you soon!
• Wishing you all the blessings of a wonderful Christmas time
• Happy Christmas! Have a fantastic day and I’ll see you in the new year

Tip: Is someone in your family welcoming a new addition? If you’re not sure what to write in a baby’s first Christmas card, we recommend sending well wishes for the year ahead and mentioning how excited you are to see them next - and don’t forget to include a note for the parents too!

More ways to personalise your Christmas cards

• Create your own designs - if you’re looking for something extra special to send out this holiday season, did you know you can design your own Christmas cards with CEWE? With our Creator Software you can fully customise your cards. Alongside photos of your choosing, we have a range of templates, clip art and frames for you to add to create something unique.
• Add a handwritten note - If you’re creating a set of cards, you can make each one personal by adding a handwritten sign off. Even if the greeting inside is the same, you can make each card unique with your closing message. Make sure to include some well wishes for the festive season and end your card by signing your name.
• Include a video message - If you’re struggling with what to write in a Christmas card, why not say it instead? With CEWE, you can add a video to your Christmas cards that you can watch on your smartphone by scanning a QR code. Whether it’s a heartfelt message or a clip that’ll make them smile, a video can help add an extra festive touch to your cards.

Celebrate the festive season with your own Christmas messages

So, there you have it, our top ideas for things to write in a Christmas card for friends, family and partners.

Whatever message you choose to include, sending a Christmas card is a great way to show loved ones you care. Even if you can’t be together over the holidays, sharing Christmas greetings will show you’re thinking about them and put a smile on their face.