How to Write a Christmas Card in 2026: What to Say & Examples

To write a Christmas card, start with a greeting, add a personal thought, then finish with your good wishes and signature. A few lines are enough, whether you're writing to Grandma, an old friend or a client.

If you're looking at a blank card and struggling to get started, use the examples below to find an opening, a message and a closing that sound like you.

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How to write a Christmas card in a few lines

Build your message around four simple steps:

1. Greet the recipient by name and wish them a Merry Christmas.
2. Add a personal thought, such as a shared memory, a thank-you or something you're looking forward to.
3. Wish them a happy holiday season.
4. Choose a closing that suits your relationship, then sign your name.

For example:

Merry Christmas, Grandma! I can't wait to see everyone together again, and I'm already looking forward to your famous Christmas cake. Have a wonderful day. Lots of love.

The mention of her Christmas cake makes the message personal. Use the same structure with a detail that belongs to your own relationship.

Who should you send a Christmas card to?

Christmas is a chance to write to family and friends, reconnect with someone you haven't seen for a while or thank someone who helped you during the year. You can also send cards to neighbors, colleagues, customers and business partners.

Let the relationship guide your tone. With someone close, an affectionate message or an inside joke may feel right. For an acquaintance, keep it short and friendly. For a client or business partner, use a professional greeting and consider adding a thank-you.

You can send the card in your own name or on behalf of a couple, family, team or company.

How to start a Christmas card

For friends and family, you can go straight to the greeting:

Merry Christmas, Sophie!

If you prefer a letter-style opening, use:

Dear Paul,

For a couple or family, try:

Dear Julie and Mark,

or:

Merry Christmas to the whole family!

In a business Christmas card, an opening such as "Dear Mr. Martin," or "Dear Team," may suit your relationship. You can also begin with the wish itself: "Wishing you a wonderful holiday season..."

Choose the wording you'd feel comfortable using with that person. A Christmas card can be friendly even when your usual correspondence is formal.

This Christmas do yourself a big favor ...

Do not miss ourAnimated Christmas eCard

What to write to make your message personal

"Merry Christmas and happy holidays!" works if you want to keep things brief. To say a little more, think about what connects you to the recipient.

You could mention a memory from the year, thank them for their friendship or say how much you're looking forward to seeing them. A family tradition or a shared joke can work, too.

For example:

Thank you for all the great memories this year.

I hope we get to spend more time together next year.

I can't wait to see you over Christmas.

Save me a slice of Christmas cake!

Pick one thought and put it in your own words. You don't need to turn the card into a long account of your year.

"Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings"?

Choose a greeting that fits the recipient and the occasion:

• "Merry Christmas" is a direct choice when you know the person celebrates Christmas.
• "Happy Holidays" covers the wider holiday season and works for a group with different traditions.
• "Season's Greetings" is a neutral, slightly more formal option for a business Christmas card.

If you're including New Year wishes, you can combine them:

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

or:

Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a wonderful year ahead.

How to sign a Christmas card

For close friends and family, choose a closing you would naturally use: "With love," "Lots of love" or "Love always." "Warmest wishes" and "Merry Christmas!" are other options if you prefer a less affectionate sign-off.

If the card is from the whole family, include everyone's names:

With love,
Claire, Thomas, Leo and Emma

On a paper card, each family member can also sign their own name.

For a business Christmas card, you could write:

Warmest wishes for the holiday season,

or:

With our thanks and best wishes for Christmas,

Then add your name, company name or team name.

What to write in a business Christmas card

Use your card to thank clients or partners for their support during the year. Keep the message friendly and appropriate to your usual relationship:

Thank you for your trust and support this year. Everyone on our team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

For a shorter message:

Thank you for being part of our year. Wishing you a joyful Christmas with those who matter most.

If you're writing to employees or colleagues, acknowledge their work and effort before wishing them a restful holiday. Save sales offers for another message, and keep the level of familiarity consistent with your usual conversations.

Should you choose a paper card or an eCard?

A paper card suits a handwritten message and can accompany a gift. The recipient can display it during the holidays or keep it afterward.

An eCard is useful when you're sending wishes at the last minute or writing to someone who lives far away. Depending on the card, it can include animation, music or photos.

On BeingSo, you can choose an animated Christmas card, personalize it with your message and send it online.

How to choose a Christmas card design

Match the design to the recipient and the tone of your message. For children and families, you might choose Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, gifts or Christmas trees.

If you prefer a simpler design, look for snowy landscapes, Christmas lights, winter branches or a minimal illustration. Traditional and nostalgic scenes also suit affectionate family messages.

For a business Christmas card, choose a festive design that fits your company's style.

This Christmas do yourself a big favor ...

Do not miss ourAnimated Christmas eCard

When to send Christmas cards

For paper cards, aim to send them in the first half of December, allowing for postal delivery time.

You can send an eCard a few days before Christmas, on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day for someone close to you. Sending it earlier gives the recipient a chance to read it before the many messages arriving on December 24 and 25.

If your card includes New Year wishes, the final days of December are also an option.

Missed December 25? Adjust the message to acknowledge that Christmas has passed:

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Wishing you a happy New Year!

Once the new year has begun, make that the main focus of your card.

What to check before you send your card

Read your message once more and check:

• Is the name correct? If you're preparing several cards, make sure Julie's doesn't begin with "Dear Michael."
• Does the message sound like you? Replace phrases you would never say with your usual words.
• Have you personalized the example? Add a memory, a thank-you or a sentence of your own to any wording you've borrowed.
• Does the tone suit the recipient? Check that the humor or affection fits your relationship.

Find a message for your Christmas card

If you still need a starting point, browse our 100+ Christmas messages for 2026. You'll find short greetings, heartfelt wishes, funny messages and professional wording, as well as ideas for text messages and eCards.

Choose a message that suits your recipient, make it your own, then add it to an animated Christmas card on BeingSo.

Merry Christmas 2026 from everyone at BeingSo!