I can spend ages choosing the right Christmas postcards, but when it’s time to write something on the back, I often end up with the good old “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But sometimes it’s nice to write something a little different, especially when you’re sending cards to family, friends, teachers, neighbours or fellow Postcrossers.
So I’ve collected some Christmas message ideas for different people on your list. Feel free to copy them, change a few words or add something personal. After all, you know your recipients much better than I do!
What to write to your mum
Christmas is a lovely opportunity to remind your mum how much she means to you. You can thank her for something, tell her you’re looking forward to spending time together, or simply wish her a wonderful Christmas.
Example 1
Merry Christmas, Mum! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with all your favourite things. Sending you lots of love and a big hug!
Example 2
Dear Mum, wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for all the little things you do for me throughout the year. Love you!
Example 3
Merry Christmas, Mum! I wish we could spend Christmas together this year. I miss you and hope you have a lovely holiday. I’ll call you on Christmas morning!
Example 4
Happy Christmas, Mum! Can’t wait to see you, eat too much Christmas food, and spend some time together. Lots of love!
And sometimes a simple “Merry Christmas, Mum! Love you lots!” is all you need. Especially if that’s exactly how you normally talk to each other.
What to write to your grandmother
A Christmas postcard for your grandmother can be full of love and warm wishes. You might tell her how much you miss her, thank her for the wonderful memories, or share a little news from your life. And of course, wish her good health and happiness in the coming year.
Example 1
Are you making your famous Christmas biscuits this year? I’ve tried making them myself, but they’re never quite as good as yours! Merry Christmas, Grandma, and save a few for me!
Example 2
Merry Christmas, Grandma! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I miss you so much and hope we can see each other soon. Sending you all my love!
Example 3
Dear Grandma, I still remember all those wonderful Christmases we spent together when I was little. Thank you for making them so special. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas and a very happy New Year!
Example 4
I was putting up my Christmas decorations yesterday and remembered how we used to decorate your tree together when I was little. Such lovely memories! Sending you lots of love this Christmas, Grandma.
What to write to your hairdresser, neighbour or someone you see regularly
What about the people you see throughout the year but don’t know quite as well? Your hairdresser, a friendly neighbour, your favourite barista or someone who always stops to chat when you’re walking your dog?
A Christmas postcard is a nice way to wish them well, perhaps with a little thank-you or a reference to something you have in common.
For your hairdresser:
Merry Christmas, S! Thank you for all the lovely haircuts and our chats this year. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. See you in January!
For a neighbour:
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Thank you again for looking after our plants while we were away. We’re lucky to have such lovely neighbours!
For someone at your favourite cafรฉ:
Merry Christmas! Thanks for all the good coffee this year. I hope you have a lovely holiday, and I’ll see you for my usual cappuccino in January!
For someone you know from walking your dog:
Merry Christmas to you and Bella! I hope you both have a lovely holiday, with plenty of long walks and treats. See you in the park!
And when you don’t know someone particularly well:
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! I hope you enjoy the holidays and have a great start to the new year.
What to write to a friend
With friends, you can write just about anything! Remember something funny that happened this year, tell them how much you miss them, make plans to meet, or simply wish them a Merry Christmas. And if you’re the kind of friends who always tease each other, there’s no reason to stop just because it’s Christmas.
Example 1
Merry Christmas, my dear! I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for all the laughs, long conversations, and wonderful memories we’ve made this year. Love you lots!
Example 2
Merry Christmas, Emma! I still laugh when I remember our little adventure in August. We really need to do something like that again next year! Have a wonderful Christmas and give everyone a hug from me.
Example 3
I wish we lived a little closer so we could meet for coffee whenever we wanted. I miss you and our endless conversations! Have a lovely Christmas, and let’s finally arrange that visit we’ve been talking about.
Example 4
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brings you a mountain of books, plenty of chocolate, and absolutely no ugly socks. Unless you specifically asked for ugly socks, of course. Love you!
Example 5
Happy Christmas! I hope you have a lovely time with your family. Looking forward to seeing you in January. I’ve got so much to tell you!
If you have a favourite joke, a funny memory or a nickname that only the two of you understand, use it. Those are the little things that make a Christmas postcard feel like it really came from you.
What to write to a Postcrosser
When you’re sending a Christmas postcard through Postcrossing, why not share a little about how Christmas is celebrated in your country? You could write about a family tradition, a favourite Christmas food, the decorations in your town, or what you’ve been doing lately.
It’s also worth checking the recipient’s profile before writing. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, and some people might prefer a more general holiday greeting.
Example 1
Merry Christmas from Lithuania! Here we have a special family dinner on Christmas Eve, traditionally with twelve dishes and no meat. One of my favourite treats is kลซฤiukai, tiny biscuits with poppy seeds. Do you have any special Christmas foods in your country?
Example 2
Hello from Lithuania! It’s only 4 in the afternoon and already getting dark outside. At least all the Christmas lights make our streets look beautiful! I’m writing my Christmas cards with a big cup of tea beside me. Hope you’re having a lovely December!
Example 3
Happy Christmas! I’ve spent most of my afternoon writing postcards, and I think I’ve used enough stamps to keep our post office busy for a week! I wonder how many Christmas cards you’ll receive this year. Wishing you lots of lovely mail!
Example 4
Greetings from Lithuania! Every year I tell myself I’ll finish my Christmas preparations early, and every year December seems to disappear twice as fast as expected. Are you more organised than I am? Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
Example 5
Merry Christmas! My favourite Christmas tradition is getting together with family on Christmas Eve. We have a long dinner, exchange stories and usually eat far too much. I’d love to hear about your favourite holiday tradition!
If your recipient doesn’t celebrate Christmas:
Hello from Lithuania! December is a busy month here, with Christmas markets, decorations and lights everywhere. What is December like in your part of the world? Wishing you a wonderful end to the year and lots of interesting postcards in 2027!
If you’re looking for more ideas beyond Christmas greetings, I’ve also written about what to write on a Postcrossing postcard.
A few more things you can write on a Christmas postcard
Maybe you’ve already written “Merry Christmas!” and still have plenty of space left. What else could you add?
Here are a few ideas:
- Tell them about your Christmas plans. Are you travelling, visiting family, or staying home?
- Share a little news from your life. It doesn’t have to be anything important.
- Mention something you enjoyed doing together this year.
- Ask about their holiday plans or family traditions.
- Tell them about a Christmas tradition you particularly love.
- Recommend a book, film, or recipe you’ve recently enjoyed.
- Share something funny that happened while preparing for Christmas.
- Tell them why you chose this particular postcard.
- Make plans to meet in the New Year.
You could write something as ordinary as “We bought our Christmas tree yesterday, but the cat seems to think it’s a new toy for him.” Or “I’m spending Christmas at my parents’ house this year. My mum is already planning enough food for twenty people!”
These are the kinds of little updates you might share during a phone call or over coffee. They work just as well on a postcard.
And if you enjoy sending postcards all year round, you’ll find plenty more examples and prompts in my Postcard Writing Ideas guide.
Short Christmas postcard messages
Of course, you don’t always need to fill the whole postcard. If you’re sending a big pile of Christmas cards, or writing to someone you don’t know very well, a short greeting is perfectly fine.
Here are a few you can use:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Sending lots of love to you and your family.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas! I hope you enjoy every minute of it.
Happy Christmas! Hope Santa brings you something you’ve been wishing for!
Thinking of you this Christmas and sending a big hug your way.
Merry Christmas! I hope the coming year brings you good health, happiness and plenty of reasons to smile.
Wishing you a lovely Christmas with your family. Enjoy the holidays!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Hope we get to see you again soon.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year. See you in January!
Sending warm Christmas wishes from Lithuania!
Merry Christmas! Eat plenty of Christmas cookies and save a few for me!
Need ideas for the rest of the year too? I’ve made a free PDF with 50 Things to Write on a Postcard, including writing prompts and conversation starters.
Ready to write your Christmas postcards?
I hope you’ve found a few ideas you can use, whether you’re writing to your mum, your best friend or someone you’ve never met through Postcrossing.
Personally, I think a mixture of traditional greetings, little updates and a few personal words works best. And yes, sometimes I write nothing more exciting than “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” That’s fine too.
Now all that’s left is choosing your postcards, finding your address book and getting those cards into the post!
And if you’re still looking for something to send, have a look at my Christmas and winter postcards. I’ve added quite a few new designs this year!
You might also enjoy:
- Why Is It So Hard to Know What to Write on a Postcard?
- Postcrossing Starter Guide
- Everything for Postcrossing
- Postcard Collection
- Postcard message ideas
