Christmas Wishes & Messages for Cards and Family

Sometimes "Merry Christmas" needs a bit more behind it. Whether it's for the card, the gift tag, a group text to the family, or the dedication page in a keepsake book, here are real words for whoever you're writing to this Christmas.

Jump to: family and friends · for your kids · from the kids · for grandchildren · for grandparents · first Christmas · family far away · teachers · funny · short lines · inside a book

Christmas wishes for family and friends

Wishing you a Christmas as warm as your kitchen smells right now.
Merry Christmas to the people who make the ordinary days good too.
Hope your Christmas is full of a little magic. Loud rooms, second helpings, everyone home.
Sending you a Christmas full of the people you love most.
Wishing you all the magic of Christmas morning, and a quiet moment to enjoy it too.
Merry Christmas to the friends who feel like family. Thank you for another year of showing up.
Wishing you a slow Christmas morning, a full table and nowhere else you need to be.
May your Christmas be merry, your leftovers plentiful and your new year kind to you.
Here's to the year we've had and the people who got us through it. Merry Christmas.

Christmas wishes for your kids

For the card on the tree, the note from Santa, or the words you want them to find again when they're older.

Watching you on Christmas morning is our favourite part of the whole year.
Merry Christmas, little one. You make every December brighter just by being in it.
This year you grew so much, laughed so loud and tried so many brave new things. We are so proud of you.
We hope you always remember the twinkly lights, the late nights and how loved you were every Christmas.
Of all the gifts under the tree, you are still the best one we ever got.
May your Christmas be full of wonder, and may you never get too big to believe in a little magic.
Merry Christmas to our favourite elf. Thank you for being exactly who you are.

Christmas messages from the kids

Merry Christmas! I made your present myself. Mostly.
I hope Santa knows you've been good too.
Best Christmas ever, because you're in it.
Thank you for making Christmas morning the best morning.
Merry Christmas! I love you more than candy canes. And that's a lot.
You're my favourite person to open presents with.

Christmas messages for grandchildren

From Nana, Pop, Grandma, Grandpa, or whatever name they've given you.

Merry Christmas to the best thing that ever happened to this family tree.
Watching you grow up is the greatest gift we've ever been given. Merry Christmas, darling.
Christmas got so much brighter the day you arrived.
Wishing you a Christmas full of wonder, and a lap to sit on whenever you need one.
Every year with you is our new favourite. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.
Our hearts are full this Christmas, because we get to be your grandparents.

For grandparents and extended family

Christmas isn't the same without you at the table.
Thank you for every Christmas memory we've made together.
Wishing you a Christmas full of the traditions you started with us.
The best gift this year is having you close.
Merry Christmas to the ones who taught us what Christmas is meant to feel like.
To the best aunties, uncles and cousins a kid could ask for. Merry Christmas, from all of us.

First Christmas messages

For a baby's first Christmas, a new family's first Christmas together, or a first Christmas in a new home.

Merry first Christmas, little one. You won't remember it, but we'll never forget it.
Our first Christmas as a family of three, and already our favourite.
Here's to your first Christmas, and all the sparkly, noisy, wonderful ones still to come.
Wishing you a very merry first Christmas in your new home. May it be the first of many.
One tiny stocking, a whole lot of love. Merry first Christmas.

Christmas messages for family far away

Miles apart, but you're right here at the table with us in spirit. Merry Christmas.
Different time zones, same Christmas wishes. We miss you and we love you.
Saving you a seat and a slice of pudding. Merry Christmas from all of us.
Christmas feels a little quieter without you. Can't wait until we're together again.
Sending love across the distance this Christmas, and a very big hug when we see you next.

Christmas messages for teachers and carers

For teachers, educators, nannies and anyone who has helped your child have a big year.

Thank you for a wonderful year of learning, patience and kindness. Merry Christmas.
You made this year so special for our little one. Wishing you a restful, happy Christmas.
Thank you for every cuddle, every story and every little win you celebrated with us. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to the teacher who made them excited to go to school every morning.
Wishing you a well-earned break and a very merry Christmas. Thank you for everything.

Funny Christmas messages

Merry Christmas! Let the "it's only once a year" eating begin.
Wishing you a Christmas with more presents than batteries required.
May your tinsel stay up, your turkey stay moist and your relatives stay in a good mood.
Santa asked me to pass on a message: he saw that. Merry Christmas anyway.
Merry Christmas to the only person I'd share the last mince pie with. Maybe.

What to write inside a Christmas book

A book given at Christmas tends to stick around for years, so the words inside the cover are often the part that gets read again and again. Add their name, the year and who it's from, then a line or two like these.

For your Christmas bookshelf, so you'll always remember this year. With love, Mum and Dad.
Christmas 2026. You were the brightest star in our house. Love always.
To read every Christmas Eve, for as long as you'll let us read it to you.
May you always see yourself as the star of your own story. Merry Christmas.
For our little star. Never stop shining. Merry Christmas, from all of us.
One day you'll read this to someone you love. Until then, it's ours to share. Merry Christmas.

How to write a Christmas message that sounds like you

Name a real moment. "Thank you for teaching me to make your pavlova" lands better than "thanks for everything".
Keep it short. Two warm sentences beat a paragraph of filler, especially on a gift tag.
Write to one person. Even in a family card, a line meant just for them makes it feel personal.
Add the year. On anything they might keep, a date turns a card into a keepsake.

A little more to say

Christmas looks different in every house, and that's exactly what makes it feel like yours.
It's not really about the tree or the lights. It's about who's standing under them with you.
Some years call for more than a card. If you want to put the whole story down, not just the wish, that's what a page for is.

Put the story in their stocking

If a card isn't enough this year, Christmas Star is a personalised keepsake starring your own child, with their name and a character built to look like them. Browse the full collection of personalised kids Christmas books for more ways to put your family in the story this year, including books built for siblings: Personalised Books for Siblings.

Still looking for gift ideas? Try our guides to Christmas gifts for kids, Christmas gifts for grandparents and Secret Santa ideas for kids.

It's not just a gift. It's their story, with your words in it too.