Christmas cards are one of the few times a year we still write to the people we love by hand. That makes the message matter. Whether you are signing a card for your child, posting one across the country, or slipping a note under the tree, the right words turn a card into something people keep on the mantel.

Here are more than 100 merry Christmas wishes, sorted by tone and who they are for. Borrow one, or use it as a base and add a memory from this year.

Warm Christmas wishes for family

Merry Christmas to the people who make my world feel like home.
Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, laughter and far too much food. We love you.
May your home be cosy, your hearts be full and your celebrations be merry.
Merry Christmas to the family I am endlessly grateful for.
Wishing us all a season of togetherness, good food and great memories.
May your stockings be full and your hearts be fuller. Merry Christmas.
Here is to a Christmas spent with the people who matter most. We love you.
Wishing our family a holiday wrapped in love and sprinkled with magic.
Merry Christmas. Being together is the only gift I really need.
May this Christmas bring our family even closer. With all our love.

Merry Christmas wishes for friends

Merry Christmas to a friend who feels like family. Thank you for another wonderful year.
Wishing you all the joy of the season and a new year full of good things.
Merry Christmas. Thank you for being one of the best parts of my year.
Sending you warm wishes and a big festive hug. Merry Christmas.
Wishing my favourite friend a Christmas as wonderful as they are.
May your holidays be merry, bright and full of laughter. Cheers, friend.
Merry Christmas. So grateful for your friendship this year and always.
Hope your Christmas is cosy, calm and completely lovely. Merry Christmas.

Christmas messages for kids

Merry Christmas, little one. May your day be full of magic, presents and giggles.
Santa told us you have been wonderful this year. Have the happiest Christmas.
Wishing you a Christmas as bright and joyful as you are.
Merry Christmas to the best little elf we know. Have a magical day.
Hope your Christmas is full of cake, cuddles and Christmas magic.
Santa is on his way, and he is very impressed with you. Merry Christmas.
Wishing our favourite kid the most magical Christmas ever.
Merry Christmas, sweetheart. May your day sparkle just like you do.
Have the merriest Christmas, little star. We love you to the moon.

Romantic Christmas wishes for a partner

Merry Christmas to the one who makes every season brighter. I love you.
All I want for Christmas is right here with me. Merry Christmas, my love.
Doing the holidays with you is my favourite tradition. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to my favourite gift of all. I love you.
Every Christmas is better because I get to spend it with you.
Wishing my love the merriest Christmas. Here is to many more together.

Funny Christmas wishes

Merry Christmas. May your wifi be strong and your relatives be calm.
Wishing you a Christmas as relaxed as a nap after a roast dinner.
Merry Christmas. May your bank balance recover by spring.
Hope your Christmas is merry and your batteries are included. Cheers.
Merry Christmas. Remember, the calories in festive food do not count.
Eat, nap, repeat. You have earned it. Merry Christmas.

Short Christmas wishes

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Wishing you joy this Christmas and always.
Eat, rest and be merry. Happy Christmas.
Warmest wishes this festive season.
Merry Christmas, with love.
Season's greetings and lots of love.
Hope your Christmas is merry and bright.
Sending festive hugs your way.
Joy, peace and cake to you this Christmas.
Have yourself a very merry Christmas.

Religious Christmas wishes

May the peace and hope of Christmas be with you and your family this season.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with love, faith and joy.
May the light of Christ shine on you this Christmas and always.
Wishing you a holy and peaceful Christmas with those you love.
May your heart be filled with the true meaning of Christmas this year.
Glory to the newborn King. Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas.
May God's love wrap around you this Christmas like a warm blanket.

Merry Christmas wishes for colleagues

Merry Christmas. Thank you for making this year a brighter one to work in.
Wishing you a restful break and a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.
Happy holidays. May the new year bring you good things, at work and at home.
Merry Christmas to a brilliant colleague. Enjoy every minute of the break.
Season's greetings and thanks for all your hard work this year.

Christmas wishes from afar

Merry Christmas. Wish I could be there, but my heart is with you today.
Missing you extra this Christmas. Sending all my love across the miles.
Distance cannot dim how much I love you. Merry Christmas.
Thinking of you and wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Counting down the days until we are together again.

Christmas wishes for grandparents

Merry Christmas to the grandparents who make the holidays feel like magic.
Thank you for a lifetime of Christmas memories. We love you. Merry Christmas.
Wishing the best grandma and grandpa a cosy and joyful Christmas.
Merry Christmas. The whole family is merrier because of you.
Sending you all our love this Christmas, with gratitude for everything you do.

Heartfelt Christmas card messages

This Christmas, I am counting my blessings, and you are right at the top.
Thank you for filling this year with love. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Wishing you peace, comfort and joy this Christmas and all through the new year.
May your Christmas be merry and your year ahead be kind to you.
Sending warmth and love your way this festive season. Merry Christmas.
However this year has been, I hope Christmas brings you rest and joy.
Merry Christmas. May your home be filled with laughter and your heart with peace.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes

Merry Christmas and a new year full of health, happiness and good surprises.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and your best year yet ahead.
Happy holidays. May the new year be everything you hope for.
Merry Christmas. Here is to closing this year with gratitude and opening the next with hope.
Season's greetings. May your new year sparkle from the very first day.
Merry Christmas and a bright, beautiful new year to you and yours.

Christmas wishes for a neighbour

Merry Christmas to the best neighbours. Thank you for a lovely year.
Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas next door.
Happy holidays from our home to yours. Merry Christmas.
Season's greetings, neighbour. May your festive season be full of cheer.
Merry Christmas. We are lucky to live beside you.

Inspirational Christmas quotes to share

Christmas is not a season, it is a feeling.
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family.
Christmas magic is silent. You do not hear it, you feel it.
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

More merry Christmas wishes for anyone

Merry Christmas. May your days be cosy and your heart be light.
Wishing you a season packed with joy, peace and your favourite people.
Hope your Christmas is everything you wish for and more.
Merry Christmas. Sending you warmth, love and a little holiday magic.
May your Christmas be merry, your food be plentiful and your worries be few.
Wishing you twinkling lights, warm moments and a very merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. May the joy of the season stay with you all year.
Hope this Christmas wraps you up in everything good.

Make the magic last

Christmas traditions are part of what makes the season feel like the season, and the history of Christmas is a lovely rabbit hole if you have curious kids. One tradition families love to start is a Christmas Eve book. A personalised Christmas story book where your child is the hero becomes the one they ask for every December. You can see our books here.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good short Christmas message?

"Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, with love from all of us." Warm, simple and it fits any card.

What do you write in a child's Christmas card?

Keep it playful and magical. Mention Santa, the excitement of the day, and how proud you are of them this year.

Want a keepsake they will treasure? You can create your child's Christmas book in minutes.