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Holiday wording

What to write in a Christmas card for coworkers

For a coworker’s Christmas card, wish them a happy holiday, thank them for one specific thing they did this year, and hope they get some real rest. Keep it warm but workplace-appropriate, and use “happy holidays” if you’re not sure they celebrate Christmas. Two or three sentences is plenty.

20 examples below: Short and simple · Heartfelt · Funny · Formal

Short and simple

For signing a stack of cards for the whole team.

“Happy holidays! Thanks for making Mondays bearable this year.”
“Merry Christmas, Dana. Enjoy every minute of your time off.”
“Wishing you a restful break and an inbox that stays quiet.”
“Happy holidays to the best desk neighbor on the floor.”
“Merry Christmas! It’s been a real pleasure working with you this year.”
“Season’s greetings and thanks for all the help on the spring launch.”
A sample Christmas card front: a hand-drawn sprig of holly on cream paper
A sample card front in our hand-drawn style. The message is written inside with a real pen.

Heartfelt

For the coworkers who went out of their way for you.

“Marcus, you covered for me for two weeks when my dad was in the hospital and never once made me feel like a burden. I won’t forget it. Merry Christmas to you and your family.”
“My first year here would have been a lot harder without you. Thank you for every “quick question” you answered with patience. Happy holidays.”
“Working with you on the audit was the highlight of my year, which is not a sentence I expected to write. Thank you for the laughs and the late-night snacks. Enjoy your break.”
“I know this year asked a lot of everyone on the team, and you carried more than your share. I hope the holidays give you a real chance to rest.”
“You’re the reason I actually look forward to our Thursday meetings. Merry Christmas, and thank you for being such a good teammate.”

Funny

Light office humor, nothing that singles anyone out.

“Merry Christmas! May your holiday be longer than our last all-hands meeting.”
“Happy holidays to my favorite partner in “per my last email.””
“Wishing you a break with zero calendar invites and unlimited leftovers.”
“Thanks for never stealing my lunch from the fridge. That’s the real holiday spirit.”
“Merry Christmas! I’ve put in a request to Santa for a printer that works.”

Formal

For managers, senior colleagues or people you don’t know well.

“Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a successful new year.”
“Thank you for your guidance and support this year. Warm wishes for a happy holiday.”
“With appreciation for your hard work this year, and best wishes for a restful season.”
“Season’s greetings, and every good wish for the year ahead.”

Do

  • Use “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings” unless you know they celebrate Christmas.
  • Thank them for one specific project, favor or habit.
  • Write each name correctly and spell it the way they do.
  • Keep humor about shared work experiences, not about the person.
  • Give everyone on a team a card if you give any, so no one is left out.

Don’t

  • Don’t comment on appearance, personal life or anything you wouldn’t say in a meeting.
  • Don’t mention bonuses, raises or reviews.
  • Don’t write anything you’d be uncomfortable seeing pinned to the break room wall.
  • Don’t make a card for your boss more effusive than the ones for your peers.

How to write it

Open with their name and a seasonal wish: “Happy holidays, Jen.” Choose Christmas wording only if you know it fits.

Add one line of appreciation that’s specific to them, such as the client call they rescued, the training they gave or simply how they keep the team calm.

Close with a wish for rest or a good new year and your name. If you’re signing a group card, a short personal line next to your name stands out.

Questions

“Happy holidays” is the safe default in a mixed workplace. If you know a coworker celebrates Christmas, “Merry Christmas” is perfectly kind.

No. Many people give cards only to their immediate team or the few people they work with closely. If you give cards within a team, include everyone on it.

Thank them for something specific, like their support on a project or flexibility during a tough month, and wish them a good break. Keep it sincere and brief.

Only if they’ve shared their address with you or it’s common practice at your company. Otherwise, hand them out at the office or send them to work.

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