How to Craft the Perfect Holiday Card Message, According to Stationery Experts

Whether your holiday cards are simple or elaborately styled, complete with family photos or specially chosen stamps, what matters most is the sentiment they contain. But a heartfelt message doesn't require a poetry degree—just honesty and reflection.

"With so much of our communication happening online, a real holiday card feels surprisingly meaningful," says Peter Hewitt, founder of FreshCut Paper, makers of 3D pop-up paper flower cards and gifts. According to Hewitt, the most cherished cards bypass the pre-packaged in favor of sincerity. "When I write one, I think about the person I’m sending it to, what they bring to my life, and how I can express my gratitude in a way that feels honest and personal," he says. "I try to avoid the usual lines and focus on something that truly reflects our relationship."

Below, learn how to write seasonal sentiments that turn holiday cards into treasured keepsakes.

Make It Feel Personal

Memorable holiday cards are the ones that feel like they could only have come from you. “A holiday card feels personal when it reflects the spirit of the sender,” says Minted’s Katherine Philpot. "Highlight quirky moments or milestones from the year, a shared joke, nod to the cultural zeitgeist, or include something unexpected, especially a photo that hasn’t already been shared on social media," she suggests. "These details can help a card feel uniquely yours."

Small, personable touches like these ensure your card feels less like a formality and more like a warm holiday gesture.

How to Tailor Your Message for Every Recipient

“Each person in our lives holds a special place in our hearts, so our holiday messages should reflect the relationship we share,” explains Hewitt. Crafting a message that fits each one ensures your card feels both appropriate and sincerely personal.

For Coworkers or Acquaintances:

Keep your tone warm and polished. Philpot suggests short, inclusive greetings (think: “Happy Holidays,” “Season’s Greetings,” or “Happy Everything!”). You can also mention a shared milestone or express gratitude for collaboration this year.

“Mention something specific and optimistic if possible,” Philpot adds, “a milestone, success from the year, or recognition for their partnership.” 

For Friends:

You can get more intimate and expressive here. “A longer note, favorite shared memories, sincere gratitude for your friendship, or punny greetings and inside jokes can all work well here depending on your relationship,” says Philpot.

For Family:

"For family, holiday cards are often about memory and sentiment," says Philpot. "Consider including reflections on the year, gratitude for time together, and hopes for the coming year."

Since it's a season built around familial togetherness, look to your favorite holiday traditions and nostalgic memories for inspiration. "People are looking for messages that reflect genuine appreciation, warmth, and the relationships they’ve built," says Hewitt.

Holiday Card Message Ideas

Whether you’re writing a couple cards or an entire stack, sometimes you simply need a little inspiration. These ideas help spark the right tone: personal, heartfelt, and fitting for the season.

For Coworkers or Acquaintances:

• So grateful for you this year—happy holidays!
• Wishing you cozy moments and cherished memories this season.
• Warmest wishes for continued success and collaboration in the year ahead.
• Grateful for all we accomplished together. Happy Holidays!
• Wishing you peace, joy, and all the warmest moments this season.
  

For Friends:

• Cheers to another year of laughs, late-night chats, and unforgettable moments.
• You make every season brighter—excited for everything ahead.
• Happy holidays to the friend who makes life a little more magical.
• May your cocoa be hot, your cookies homemade, and your holiday season unforgettable.
• Thinking of you and feeling grateful for every memory we shared this year.
• Your presence in my life has been one of this year’s greatest gifts.
  

For Family:

• Feeling especially grateful for our family’s love, traditions, and togetherness this year.
• Home is wherever you are. Wishing you a warm and joyful season.
• Thank you for filling this year with so much love—looking forward to a beautiful new one together.
• Eat, drink, be merry—and let the dishes wait until January.
  

"Because we’re seeing a shift toward analog, nostalgic holiday aesthetics this year at Minted—from vintage photography designs to folk-inspired illustrations—these kinds of simple, yet sentimental phrases feel especially on point," explains Philpot.

When in doubt, slow down and focus on gratitude and sincerity. And, as Philpot adds, "It helps to treat the card as more than a to-do."