Holiday card messages: Christmas gift bags

It’s that time of year again. You’re busy wrapping presents, doing some last minute holiday shopping, and booking tickets to see friends and family on the opposite side of the country. And for those loved ones you can’t quite get to this year, you’re trying to craft the perfect holiday card messages.

But what do you write to every last person on your list? You want to keep it personal but brief. You want to let people know that no matter how many miles are between you, you still think about them. And of course, you want something a bit more unique than the standard, “Happy holidays!”

Below, we’re sharing heartfelt messages for everyone you love. From friendly messages to share with family, appropriate notes to send to your team at work, and a few jokes for friends, you’ll find the perfect way to share the holiday spirit with those you care about.

Add your own custom greeting, or feel free to copy these directly. Either way, be sure to let everyone know you’re so thankful for another year spent with them.

Holiday Messages to Send to Just About Everyone

Holiday card messages: a card that reads, "Happy Holi-yays!"

Design: Erika Firm

Whether you have too many cousins to count or just like to keep things simple, these quick messages are fit for just about anyone. Brief but heartfelt, they’ll let everyone know they’re in your thoughts this season.

  • Happy holidays! Cheers to another great year.
  • Best wishes to you and your family — can’t wait to see what the New Year has in store.
  • Have a wonderful holiday season with plenty of time spent with family and friends.
  • Merry Christmas! Thinking of and grateful for you this season.
  • I hope you have a fabulous Christmas. Say “Hi!” to your family for me.
  • Sending seasons greetings from our family to yours.
  • Cheers to another year and many more to come. Happy holidays!
  • Wishing you a very merry holiday. Can’t wait to see you in the new year.
  • The days are long but the years are short — have a happy holiday!
  • Sending my warmest thoughts and best wishes for a magnificent holiday season.

Holiday Card Messages to Send to Coworkers

Holiday card messages: a card that reads, "Thanks for holding us together"

Design: Hudson Meet Rose

Colleagues hold a special place in our hearts. Sometimes, we spend so much time with our “work family” they become just like real family, helping us crush deadlines, shatter sales goals, and celebrate at happy hour afterwards. They’ve been with us through late nights and early mornings and, therefore, deserve a nice note during the holiday season.

  • I couldn’t have gotten through the last quarter (or previous three!) without you. Take a break and enjoy the holiday season with your family. Happy holidays!
  • My only wish for you this holiday season is that you don’t have to see my face before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Enjoy this time with your loved ones!
  • You’ve put in an incredible amount of effort this year, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Have a happy holiday season. See you in the new year!
  • It’s never a dull day with teammates like you. Have a happy holiday with your family, and raise a glass to a prosperous new year!
  • This past year wouldn’t have been half as successful (or nearly as fun) without you. Now enjoy this much-deserved holiday break with your family.
  • This company wouldn’t be where it is without you. Sending good wishes for a happy holiday season (hopefully with a little relaxation).
  • I still can’t believe how much we accomplished this year, and it wouldn’t have happened without you. Have a wonderful holiday. I’ll see you in the New Year.
  • Thank you for all your hard work this year. Sending warm wishes to you and your family.
  • You’ve shown a tremendous amount of loyalty, hard work, and dedication. Sending my happiest holiday greetings, and looking forward to what next year has in store.
  • Thank you for all the hard work and all the hours you put in this year. Sending warmest wishes to you and your family.

Religious Christmas Messages

Holiday card messages: a card that reads, "Peace on Earth & goodwill to all"

Design: Up Up Creative

In Christian faiths, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And while the holiday has modernized to include traditions like Christmas trees, stockings, and wrapping paper, many who celebrate the holiday like to be reminded of the gift of their faith.

  • Let Christ’s gift of love surround your family this year. Have a blessed Christmas.
  • May your family be warmed with Christ’s gift of peace, hope, and faith. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
  • May the grace of God provide your family with the gift of faith and the blessing of hope this season. Merry Christmas!
  • May the Lord Jesus Christ fill your house with the true spirit of Christmas. Have the holiest and happiest Christmas Day.
  • Peace on Earth and good will toward you and your family. May God fill your home with the blessing of hope and the gift of happiness.
  • Rejoice! A child is born. May peace, joy, and faith fill your home during this magical Christmas season.
  • Merry Christmas to you and your family. May Christ fill your home and answer your prayers this Christmas.
  • Thinking of you and saying a prayer for your family this holy season. Merry Christmas!
  • Sending my warmest greetings to you and your family this season. May God fill the last weeks of the year with the magic of Christmas.
  • There is no greater joy of the holiday than Christ’s love. Merry Christmas!

Funny Holiday Card Messages for Friends

Holiday card messages: a card that reads, "Oh what fun"

Design: Jen Montgomery

Your friends have been by your side as you landed your first job, moved into your first apartment, and took out your first line of credit. You’ve kept in touch no matter how many miles were between you, and always show up for the big moments in one another’s lives. For your BFFs, here are a few fun holiday card messages to send.

  • They always say it’s the thought that counts. And trust me, I thought really, really hard about getting you a gift this year.
  • This time of year, there is no one I’d rather share a surge-priced Uber with. Cheers to another wonderful New Year with you by my side.
  • I can’t tell if it’s the joyous holiday season or the spiked eggnog, but there’s no one else I’d rather be single and not-mingling with through the winter.
  • You’re going to love the Christmas gift you got me.
  • My heart is filled with the holiday spirit knowing you’ll be by my side. And by “heart,” I mean fridge, and by “spirit,” I mean gin.
  • To this day, the best Christmas Eves on record are the ones I can’t remember (thanks to you).
  • This time of the year, I really wish I had enough airline miles to visit you. Actually, as long as I’m throwing out Christmas wishes, I wish we could buy the whole plane.
  • There’s supposed to be this whole “magic of the holiday” thing, so channel your inner wizard, get on your broomstick, and come visit me.
  • I just came up with a brilliant plan: Pencil me in on your office holiday party invitation, then expense my flight so I can visit you this Christmas.
  • If I could get one holiday wish this year, I’d take us back in time to when we were in college with zero responsibilities and a month-long Christmas break. Hope you get the break you deserve this Christmas.

Spread Cheer with a Greeting Card from Greenvelope

Don’t let another holiday season go by without telling your friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family members how much they mean to you. Whether you’re grateful for your old college roommate and all the years you kept in touch, your colleagues for making those late nights more fun, or your family for always having your back, be sure to send them a holiday message.

With Greenvelope, you don’t need to keep an updated address book or suffer through the holiday rush at the post office. All you need are email addresses to send friends and family your personal greetings of the season. Select from business holiday cards, friendly holiday cards, or Christmas party invitations to wish everyone a very happy holiday and a prosperous New Year.