Holiday Card Messages

Holiday cards exist in a weird space. You're supposed to send them to everyone — family, friends, coworkers, your dentist somehow — but most of them end up saying the same thing: "Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!" Which is fine, but it's also the written equivalent of waving at someone from across a parking lot. For the cards that actually matter — the ones going to people you genuinely care about — you can do better than the parking-lot wave.

The two-tier holiday card strategy

Be honest: not every card needs a personal message. Your partner's aunt, your kid's soccer coach, your neighbor who waters your plants — these people get the family photo and a signed name. That's appropriate. But your best friend, your parents, your mentor? Those cards deserve a few sentences that are just for them. The trick is knowing which tier each person falls into and not trying to write something deeply personal 40 times. Save your energy for the people who'll really read it.

What to write in the personal ones

Reflect on the year you shared with them. "This was a big year for you and I'm so proud of how you handled it" works if they went through something. "Every time we got together this year was a highlight — the dinner in March, the weekend in July, that ridiculous karaoke night" works for friends you saw a lot. "I know this year was hard. I'm glad I got to be in your corner" works when things weren't easy. The best holiday card messages aren't about the holiday. They're about the year, and what the person meant to you during it.

Inclusive messages for mixed audiences

If you're sending to people of different faiths or backgrounds: "Wishing you warmth, joy, and good people around your table this season" works for everyone. "Here's to a new year that's kinder than the last" is universally resonant. You don't need to reference a specific holiday to write something genuine. Focus on the human stuff: gratitude, connection, hope for the year ahead. Those aren't denominational.

Quick tips

• Year-in-review highlight: name one shared moment from the past 12 months
• For the mass-send cards: a handwritten name and one extra sentence makes it feel 10x more personal
• "I'm grateful for you" is simple, non-denominational, and always lands
• Don't recap your year unless asked. The card is about them, not your vacation
• If you skipped cards last year, acknowledge it: "I owe you a card — here's this year's and last year's feelings combined"
• Humor works great for holiday cards: "Another year of bad decisions and great memories. Here's to more of both."

More card-writing guides