What is a good short Christmas wish?

“Wishing you a warm and joyful Christmas” is short, sincere and works for almost anyone — friends, neighbours, coworkers or distant family.

What can I write in a Christmas card if I don't know the person well?

Keep it warm and neutral: “Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas and a bright new year.” Sign your full name so they know who it's from.

What's a non-religious Christmas wish?

“Wishing you a cozy, restful holiday season filled with the people you love.” It's warm, inclusive and never feels off.

Are funny Christmas wishes okay for family?

Yes, if your family teases each other. Keep them gentle: “Merry Christmas — may your batteries be included and your in-laws be brief.”

Wishes and messages

Christmas Wishes and Holiday Messages

Open handwritten Christmas card on a wooden table with pine and candles

Quick answer

The best Christmas wishes are short, specific and sound like you. Below are warm, funny, family and business-friendly options you can copy straight into a card, a text or a social post. For card-format wording in particular, see our companion guide to Christmas messages for cards and texts.

Short Christmas wishes

Pick one and send it

Good for texts, postcards and busy mornings.

Wishing you a warm and joyful Christmas.
Merry Christmas — with love from our home to yours.
Happy holidays. May your December be kind.
Sending you peace, joy and good coffee this Christmas.
Have a beautiful Christmas and a brilliant new year.
Thinking of you at Christmas. Big hug.

Warm Christmas wishes

When you want to sound sincere

Slightly longer, written to land softly.

Wishing you a Christmas full of small, quiet moments and warm light.
May your home be cozy, your table be full and your heart be light this Christmas.
Hoping this Christmas brings you everything you were too busy to ask for.
Sending you warmth, rest and the kind of Christmas you actually want.
Wishing you a slow morning, soft music and the people you love nearby.

Funny Christmas wishes

Keep it gentle

Use with people who already tease each other.

Merry Christmas — may your batteries be included and your in-laws be brief.
Wishing you the strength to assemble whatever Santa leaves under the tree.
Happy Christmas. May your wifi be strong and your relatives gentle.
Eat the cookie. It's Christmas. Calories don't count until January.
Merry Christmas. Try not to fall asleep before the Queen's speech.

Family Christmas wishes

For parents, siblings, grandparents and kids

To my favourite people in the world — Merry Christmas. I love this little family.
Wishing my parents a Christmas as warm as the one you always gave us.
To my brother/sister — Merry Christmas. Thanks for being weird with me every December.
Grandma, Grandad — wishing you a Christmas as cozy as your house has always been.
Merry Christmas, kids. Stay little for one more year if you can.

Romantic Christmas wishes

For partners and long-distance loves

Merry Christmas to the person who makes every season feel warmer.
All I really wanted this Christmas was another one with you.
Wishing you the Christmas you keep planning for everyone else.
Merry Christmas, my love. Same tree, same us, one more year.
Sending you all my Christmas — the cocoa, the lights, the long slow morning.

Business Christmas wishes

For clients, customers and colleagues

Swap [Company] and [Year] for your own.

Wishing you and your team a restful Christmas and a strong start to the new year.
Thank you for a year of great work together. Wishing you a warm Christmas.
Season's greetings from all of us at [Company]. We look forward to working with you in [Year].
Happy holidays. Thank you for trusting us with your business this year.
Wishing you a peaceful end to a busy year and a calm Christmas with your family.

Religious and non-religious options

Religious

May the peace of Christ rest with you and your family this Christmas.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a hope-filled new year.
Glory to God in the highest. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
May the joy of the Nativity warm your home this Christmas season.

Non-religious

Wishing you a cozy, restful holiday season filled with the people you love.
Happy holidays — may your December be calm and your January kind.
Sending warm winter wishes your way. Enjoy every quiet moment.
Hoping the end of your year is gentle and the start of the next is bright.

How to write your own in two minutes

Start with one specific thing about the person. "Thanks for hosting Easter" or "I loved our coffee in October." Then add one warm line and one wish for the year ahead. Three sentences, no filler.

Need a fuller card? Our Christmas messages guide has longer, ready-made wording grouped by relationship and channel.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good short Christmas wish?: “Wishing you a warm and joyful Christmas” is short, sincere and works for almost anyone — friends, neighbours, coworkers or distant family.
What can I write in a Christmas card if I don't know the person well?: Keep it warm and neutral: “Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas and a bright new year.” Sign your full name so they know who it's from.
What's a non-religious Christmas wish?: “Wishing you a cozy, restful holiday season filled with the people you love.” It's warm, inclusive and never feels off.
Are funny Christmas wishes okay for family?: Yes, if your family teases each other. Keep them gentle: “Merry Christmas — may your batteries be included and your in-laws be brief.”