The Perfect Christmas Card Formula plus 60 Message Ideas

Why Writing Christmas Cards Is Stressful 

Quick… quick… hurry up and think of something clever, coherent, and concise

Hurry hurry,  write it down, you need to get this gift out the door and it doesn’t have a card!! QUICKLY THINK OF SOMETHING TO WRITE

Have you ever been in someone’s driveway frantically hovering your pen over the card you just spent $8.50 on because it’s so beautiful (it’s velvet even with gold foil…) and the pressure is mounting because you feel like the gift is so-so, but you thought you could make up for your lack of originality with a sweet Christmas card message? 

You really want to avoid a lame message like “Happy Holidays” or worse, just signing your name and leaving it at that *gasp*.  You do like to add a personal touch, but right now your palms are sweaty, the clock is ticking, and in a moment the door will fling open and the greetings will begin and you’ll hand over your lame af card and gift and feel stressed about your inability to come up with a decent Christmas card message once again. Like what are you going to do, sneak away to the bathroom and write your message on the toilet? (No shame btw)

You have to get a message into that card!!

Let me tell you the stress of what to write on a holiday card Is REAL. It is visceral. 

Every time I have a card to write I worry I’m going to botch it so much I’ll have to send a second card to apologize for the first one. I have actually done that. 

If you follow my Christmas card formula below, Christmas card messages don’t have to be stressful.

Common Mistakes Made When Writing Christmas Cards

Over the years, I have made at least one of these mistakes. Check your card once, check it twice and for goodness sake look it up if you don’t know! 

Mistakes usually made while writing all cards (not just holiday cards):

• Spelling erors. 
• Poor Sentence structure. 
• Repeated words that are said the same way.
• Flowery language and so many superlatives. 
• The wrong holiday!
• Rambling on about that memory or story that we one time and realizing that shoot! Now I’m about to run out of room and have to write on the other side of the card and now it’s out of order so I’ll probably have to draw an arrow or write on the back which…. 
• Crossed out words
• Happy faces 
• You spell their aname wrong. I know there are 89 variations of the name Aaliyah, but come on! 

After literally writing hundreds of cards (I used to send over 200 handwritten ones each year as part of my job),  I decided to make a formula for coming up with a holiday message that is succinct, well constructed, and appropriate. 

Let me tell you, breaking it into steps has been quite helpful for this scattered mind. 

When Is the Best Time to Send Your Christmas Cards

If you’re not going to see the person during the holidays, it is best to have your Christmas cards sent in the first or second week of December. This gives them enough time to work their way through the busy postal system and bring extra joy to your friends and family just in time for Christmas. 

December 9th is official Christmas Card Day,  so make this day your annual deadline for making, writing, and mailing your Christmas Cards.

Tip: Always add your return address to the envelope in case the recipient would like to send one back to you

Fest-ivities

Perfect Formula for Christmas Grace and 21 Examples

A Formula For Writing the Best Christmas Card

Ultimately a heart-felt personalized Christmas message will make those who receive your card feel appreciated and special. Before writing each card, think about the person you’re writing to, visualize them in your mind, hear their voice, recall what makes them smile. It’s a quick mental process that can help with the flow of memories and messages when you can see whom you’re writing to. 

The Greeting 

The Note ( I sometimes include this after the personal message)

• Merriest of Christmases to you 
• Wishing you a happy holidays
• Wishing you a very MERRY Christmas 
• Merry Christmas with lots of love
• Praying you have a wonderful Christmas and healthy new year
• Thinking warmly of you and your family. 
• Happy holidays with thanks and love
• Wish we could be together this Christmas.
• Missing you terribly this holiday season. 
• Sending you good vibes.
• Ho Ho Ho it’s that time of year again!
• Hope all is well with you and your family. 

Personalize your cards by adding a memory, story or well-wish 

• Thank you for <insert why you are thanking them. Perhaps it was a physical gesture they did for you or just because they are a positive influence on your life. Feel free to be as serious or lighthearted as necessary>
• I can’t thank you enough for <insert reason>
• I found myself reminiscing about <insert funny, memorable, fond memory or reminder you had of the person>  and wanted to send a card to let you know I was thinking of you. 
• It was wonderful to see you again <insert location or event here>
• It was nice to hear about <insert something positive that happened in their life>
• Here’s to a year filled with relaxation, adventure, and good health.
• Hope you have more time to enjoy <insert activity here> this year.
• I miss <insert what you miss about the person or what you miss doing with them here>
• The holidays / Christmas won’t feel the same without you and <insert what you will miss about them, perhaps it’s a dish they make, a tradition you do together, or something about them like their funny jokes or taste in movies>
• My heart and thoughts are with you at this time of year. If there is anything we can do, please know we’re always here for you. 
• Sending you hugs this Christmas. Take good care of yourself. 
• I hope the holidays bring extra joy to you and your family. 
• Hoping that the new year brings you new possibilities. 
• Enjoy your time away <or insert who or where they will be spending their holiday. Such as in Hawaii or with the in-laws>
• You deserve all the <insert what they deserve and why>
• I couldn’t resist giving you this gift because… 
• When I saw this, I immediately thought of you since …<insert reason why>
• I hope you enjoy all the nut butters you’ll be able to make with this new blender. 

Closing Remark

Always personally sign your cards. Even if you mess up everything else, a personally signed card shows you at least opened the card before giving it to them. Even if you’re responsible for signing dozens of cards in the case of work or business or you’re just really popular, try to include a little quip (See below) for ideas and messages.

Sincerely,

Ho Ho Ho, 

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Looking forward to catching up in the New Year

Lets get on a Zoom call 

Warmest Wishes

Best Regards,

Hugs, 

Love, 

Cheers,

Merry Happy Holidays,