Christmas Card Messages: 60 Wishes, Traditions & What to Write
Christmas cards have been a tradition since 1843, when the first commercial card was sent in England. Today, roughly 1.3 billion are sent in the US alone each year — which means a lot of people are staring at a blank card every December. Here's everything you need: traditions around the world, messages for every relationship, and the cultural notes that matter.
Wishing you warmth, rest, and the people who matter most.
Christmas Around the World
- 25 December — most of the Western world; church services on Christmas Eve are central in Germany, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe
- 7 January — Orthodox Christmas (Russia, Serbia, Ethiopia, Egypt) following the Julian calendar
- 24 December (Christmas Eve) — the main celebration day in most of Continental Europe, Latin America, and Scandinavia
- Japan: Christmas Eve is the major night — treated as a romantic holiday; KFC has been a Christmas tradition since 1974
- Australia & New Zealand: midsummer Christmas — beach BBQs, seafood, and outdoor concerts replace the white Christmas imagery
- Philippines: the world's longest Christmas season — starts playing carols in September; Simbang Gabi (9 days of dawn masses) begins 16 December
Key Traditions
- Cards — sending Christmas cards peaked in the 1990s but has surged again with physical card resurgence
- Advent calendars — originally religious, now a mainstream countdown tradition; chocolate and beauty versions dominate retail
- Germany's Christkind vs. Weihnachtsmann — the 'Christ Child' and Santa Claus coexist depending on region
- Christmas crackers (UK) — pulled at dinner, releasing a paper crown, a small toy, and a terrible joke
- Sweden's Julbord — a Christmas buffet featuring herring, meatballs, Jansson's temptation, and rice pudding
- 13 December: St. Lucia Day (Scandinavia) — a girl in a white dress and candle crown leads a procession; marks the start of Christmas season
What to Write in a Christmas Card
“Wishing our favorite people a Christmas full of good food, loud laughter, and moments worth remembering. Love you all.”
“Merry Christmas! Thinking of you and grateful for every year we have together.”
“Here's to surviving another year together. Merry Christmas to my favorite chaos partner.”
“This year wouldn't have been the same without you in it. Wishing you a Christmas that's as warm as you make everyone feel.”
“My favorite part of every Christmas is that you're in it. Merry Christmas, love.”
“Wishing you a restful holiday season and a strong start to the new year. Happy Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas! Hope your break is everything your inbox is not — calm, quiet, and free of notifications.”
“Merry Christmas! So glad to have you as a neighbor. Wishing your household a warm and restful holiday.”
“Santa's watching, the cookies are ready, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate with you. Merry Christmas, sweetheart!”
“Wishing I could be there to celebrate in person. Merry Christmas from across the miles — thinking of you.”
“Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season — rest, good food, and the people who matter most.”
“Merry Christmas! May your gifts be exactly what you asked for and your relatives be exactly who you can tolerate.”
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Create a Free Card →Things to Avoid
- ⚠️'Happy Holidays' vs 'Merry Christmas' — in professional settings or with colleagues of unknown faith, 'Happy Holidays' or 'Season's Greetings' is more inclusive; with family and close friends, use whatever feels natural
- ⚠️Orthodox Christmas dates — if sending to someone in Russia, Serbia, or Ethiopia, 25 December may not be their celebration date
- ⚠️Sending cards too late — for physical cards, post by mid-December for domestic delivery; earlier for international
- ⚠️Japan Christmas context — Christmas Eve is a romantic couple's holiday in Japan, not primarily a family or religious event
- ⚠️White Christmas imagery in Australia — Australians celebrate in summer; snow imagery can feel out of place; many prefer 'Australian Christmas' imagery like beaches and native flora
Tips for a Card They Actually Keep
- ✓One specific detail beats five generic sentences: 'I loved seeing you at the cabin this summer' > 'Hope you're well'
- ✓For professional cards, keep it brief — 1–2 sentences max — and always handwrite your name even on printed cards
- ✓If you're sending to a large list, personalize at least the opening line for close contacts
- ✓Christmas Eve or Christmas Day delivery via a digital card can still feel special if the message is thoughtful
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