How do you make a message personal?
Start with a greeting and the person's name. Add one true detail, then a wish and your sign-off. 2 to 4 short lines are usually enough.
- Greetingchoose Christmas, holiday or New Year wording that fits the recipient.
- Personal detailmention the book they recommended, a walk together or help they gave.
- Wishname something they would welcome, such as time for a hobby or good company.
- Sign-offchoose a closing below and add your name.
The 4 parts of a card message
Greeting, personal detail, wish and signature. Keep only the parts that fit your relationship.
Which message fits your family?
Use the names and family titles the recipient prefers. A card to one parent or grandparent does not need a paired greeting. Choose a neutral wish if thanks for childhood memories would not feel true.
For family?
Merry Christmas to the whole family. May there be room for everyone around the table.
Wishing you a Christmas full of laughter, good food and stories worth retelling.
Merry Christmas! Save a seat and a slice of pie for the next visit.
For a parent or parents?
Merry Christmas, Mom. Thank you for every call, packed lunch and lift along the way.
Merry Christmas, Dad. Hope someone else does the washing up today.
Merry Christmas to you both. Thank you for the traditions that still bring the family together.
For grandparents?
Merry Christmas, Grandma. Looking forward to another afternoon of stories at your kitchen table.
Merry Christmas, Grandpa. Hope there is a good puzzle and a quiet chair waiting for you.
Wishing you both a lovely Christmas, with time for all the people you hold dear.
What can you write to friends or a partner?
For a friend?
Merry Christmas to the friend who always finds the right thing to say.
Here's to another year of long walks, unfinished stories and laughing on the doorstep.
Thank you for all those just-checking-in messages. Have a lovely Christmas.
Merry Christmas! May your group chat be funny and your phone battery full.
Here's to another year of sending each other videos instead of going to sleep.
For a partner?
Every Christmas is brighter with you. Here's to more ordinary days made special together.
Here's to your favorite film, a blanket big enough for two and nowhere else to be.
Thank you for another year of laughing at the same silly things. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to the only person I'd share the last roast potato with.
I saved you the good seat, the soft blanket and the last biscuit.
What can an adult write in a child's card?
Mention something the child enjoys, without linking presents to good behavior. Keep the words short enough to read aloud together.
For a child or grandchild?
Merry Christmas! Hope your day has room for stories, games and your favorite snack.
Wishing you a Christmas full of surprises and sparkly lights.
Merry Christmas to a wonderful kid. Have fun making new holiday memories.
What suits work and everyday thank-yous?
Use a neutral holiday greeting unless you know the recipient celebrates Christmas. Keep a work card about appreciation, with no assumptions about family, travel or time off. For a teacher, name one real act of help instead of making a broad claim about every child.
For a coworker?
Happy holidays! Thank you for making the busy days easier to manage.
Thanks for sharing your time and ideas this year. Best wishes for the holidays.
Thank you for the help behind the scenes. It has made a difference.
Thanks for being so easy to work with this year. Enjoy the break.
Happy holidays, and thank you for every quick answer and calm word on the busy days.
For a boss or client?
Thank you for your support this year. Warm wishes for the holidays.
With appreciation for the chance to work together. Happy holidays.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and every success in the new year.
Thank you for a good year of working together. Best wishes for the season.
Many thanks for your trust this year. We look forward to the year ahead.
For a teacher?
Thank you for the care you put into each school day. Happy holidays!
With thanks for your patience and encouragement throughout the term.
Wishing you a restful break, with a good book waiting when you need it.
For neighbors?
Merry Christmas from just next door. Hope the holidays bring plenty of good company.
Thank you for all the small kindnesses that make this street feel like home.
Season's greetings to you and your household.
What if Christmas feels difficult?
Choose words that leave room for how the person feels. Avoid telling them to cheer up, be grateful or look on the bright side. A short, sincere line is enough; it does not need to solve anything.
For someone who is grieving?
Thinking of you this Christmas and sending love for the days ahead.
Remembering your loved one with you this Christmas.
Sending a quiet Christmas wish, with no need to reply.
If it feels welcome, use the person's name and one brief memory of them. Offer specific help only if you can follow through. Avoid promises that time or the holidays will make grief easier.
For someone far away?
Sending Christmas wishes across the miles, with love for the days ahead.
Thinking of you when the familiar songs come on. Merry Christmas.
Wishing you good company wherever you spend the holidays.
Distance can hurt. Avoid saying it means nothing, or urging someone to come home when travel may be impossible. Mention a call or visit only if it is welcome and agreed.
For a difficult year or a strained relationship?
Wishing you a gentle holiday season, with space to spend it in your own way.
Sending a quiet wish for peace this Christmas.
Season's greetings and good wishes for the year ahead.
Keep the message free of pressure to reply, forgive or meet. A neutral greeting can be complete on its own.
Which tone feels right?
Use humor about shared pleasures rather than someone's body, age, finances or family tensions.
Something funny?
Merry Christmas! May your tangled lights untangle themselves.
Hope Santa brings you everything on your list, and the batteries.
Wishing you a quiet evening and a dishwasher that loads itself.
A holiday wish for anyone?
Warm wishes for the season, wherever and however you spend it.
Wishing you good company and something to look forward to.
Season's greetings and every good wish for the new year.
Wishing you a restful break and a bright start to the year.
If the person does not celebrate Christmas, choose a neutral card as well as neutral words. A New Year greeting can be useful when you are unsure what they celebrate.
What fits on a gift tag?
Short lines for gift tags?
Made you smile yet?
Open me first!
Do not shake. Well, maybe once.
What about late cards and new beginnings?
Match the message to news the recipient has shared with you. Keep a new baby greeting about welcome and affection; avoid promising sleep or assuming parenthood feels easy.
A belated Christmas card?
A little late for Christmas, but sent with warm wishes for the days ahead.
The card missed Christmas; the good wishes carry on. Happy new year!
Belated Christmas wishes, and every good wish for the new year.
A New Year card?
Wishing you a happy new year with time for the people and plans that matter to you.
Here's to fresh pages, small pleasures and good company in the new year.
Best wishes for the year ahead, whatever it holds.
For a new baby's first Christmas?
Warm wishes for your baby's first Christmas, with love to the whole household.
A first Christmas, a new stocking and a little person to welcome. Sending lots of love.
Wishing your growing family a gentle holiday season and moments to enjoy together.
For Christmas in a new home?
Merry Christmas in your new home. May the first decorations find just the right places.
Wishing you happy holidays at your new address, with room for new traditions.
Here's to the first Christmas in your new place and many welcoming days ahead.
How should you close and sign the card?
Which sign-off fits?
With love
Warmest wishes
With gratitude
Best wishes
Kind regards and happy holidays
Love and hugs