Christmas and Happy New Year Wishes (2026) to Share Joy and Cheer

By: EMMA CARSON

 Christmas and happy new year wishes are a meaningful way to spread warmth and connection with friends, family, and colleagues. Sending thoughtful greetings helps celebrate the festive season, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories. Whether through heartfelt messages, personalized notes, or digital cards, these holiday greetings and seasonal messages can brighten someone’s day. Crafting the right words adds sincerity to your wishes and makes the festive season more memorable.

Quick Answer

Christmas and happy new year wishes are short messages or greetings used to express joy, goodwill, and festive cheer. They can be shared in cards, texts, emails, or social media posts to connect with loved ones and celebrate the holiday season.

Table of Contents

• Short Christmas And New Year Wishes
• Funny Christmas And New Year Messages
• Heartfelt Christmas And New Year Greetings
• Religious Christmas And New Year Wishes
• For Family: Parents, Siblings, Extended
• For Friends: Near And Far
• For Couples: Romantic Holiday Wishes
• For Kids And Teens: Cute And Cheerful
• Professional Holiday Card Wording
• For Clients And Coworkers
• One-Line Captions For Posts And Stories
• Inclusive Holiday Greetings
• New Year Text Messages And SMS
• Thank-You Lines After The Holidays
• Classic Quotes For Christmas And The New Year
• How To Write And Send Holiday Cards

TL;DR

• Keep wishes short, kind, and specific.
• Match tone to the relationship.
• “Happy New Year” is capitalized for the holiday. poynter.org
 • New Year cards can arrive in early January. Emily Post
 • Professional notes stay gracious and neutral. poynter.org

Short Christmas And New Year Wishes

A close-up view of blank greeting cards with a holly sprig and a candle on a wooden surface in soft evening light.
A quiet moment to prepare your seasonal greetings. Simple wishes for a warm holiday.

Lead-in: You want quick lines that fit any card or text. These keep things bright and simple. For card structure ideas, skim concise formats here. (Card wording guidance.) poynter.org
 • Warm wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a bright New Year.
• Merry Christmas today, happier tomorrows all year.
• Joy to you this Christmas, hope in the New Year.
• Cozy nights now, fresh starts ahead.
• Wishing you calm, cheer, and new beginnings.
• Peace this Christmas, purpose next year.
• May your tree glow and your goals grow.
• Grateful for you this season and always.
• Blessings this season, good news ahead.
• Cheers to rest now and momentum soon.
• Merry Christmas! May the new year be kind.
• From our home to yours, happiest holidays.
• Health, laughter, and warm winter light.
• Here’s to good memories and new chapters.
• Season’s greetings and a hopeful New Year.
• Sending love today and courage for 2026.

Bold LSI in this section: short wishes, season’s greetings, festive messages.

Funny Christmas And New Year Messages

A top-down view of a notebook with simple doodles of snowmen and fireworks, next to a red mug and silver jingle bells on a wooden desk in warm evening light.
A cozy corner filled with inspiration for sharing holiday cheer. Keep your messages light and full of laughter this season.

Lead-in: Light lines add sparkle without going overboard. Keep work messages gentle; save sillier ones for friends. (See tone variety in popular roundups. Holiday messages overview.) poynter.org
 • May your Wi-Fi be strong and your cocoa stronger.
• Wishing you a tree that stops dropping needles.
• New year, same great snacks. Priorities set.
• If elves ask, I finished my list.
• May your budget and your lights both hold.
• To fewer group texts and better memes.
• Cookies are balanced… in both hands.
• Your sweater is ugly; your heart is gold.
• May the office printer behave in 2026.
• Santa saw the emails. He forgives you.
• Let’s call these resolutions “suggestions.”
• Hoping your leftovers last till February.
• May your flights be on time and bags arrive.
• New calendar, same fabulous you.
• Fewer meetings, more marshmallows.
• Merry everything; nap accordingly.

Bold LSI: playful lines, punny wishes, holiday laughs.

Heartfelt Christmas And New Year Greetings

A top-down view of a wooden desk featuring an open notebook with a pen, a small evergreen sprig, and a gold ornament.
A quiet moment for reflection and wishes, captured on the page.

Lead-in: These lines feel warm and personal. They work for family, mentors, and close friends. (Browse friendly examples for tone reference. Sample heartfelt lists.) poynter.org
 • Holding you close in our hearts this Christmas.
• May peace settle in and hope rise up.
• Thank you for your kindness this year.
• Your friendship was a gift I needed.
• Praying your new year brings steady joy.
• You make every season brighter.
• Wishing you rest, healing, and gentle days.
• Our table is warmer because of you.
• May laughter fill your rooms and plans.
• Here’s to good health and deeper roots.
• Your support meant more than you know.
• Grateful for our memories; excited for more.
• May light find you and stay awhile.
• Sending love from our home to yours.
• Blessings now and in the year ahead.
• You are loved beyond measure.

Bold LSI: sincere wishes, warm blessings, family love.

Religious Christmas And New Year Wishes

An open leather-bound Bible with an evergreen sprig beside an unlit candle on a wooden desk.
A quiet moment of reflection and faith during the holiday season. Simple symbols of hope and peace for Christmas and the coming year.

Lead-in: Keep faith-leaning notes sincere and respectful. If you know their tradition, reflect it. (See gentle, verse-adjacent inspirations. Faith-themed references.) poynter.org
 • May Christ’s light fill your home with peace.
• Rejoicing in His birth and the hope it brings.
• Blessings today and guidance in the new year.
• May Emmanuel be near in every moment.
• Praying your heart rests in His joy.
• Grace for today; courage for tomorrow.
• May your steps be led in the year ahead.
• Thankful for God’s faithfulness this season.
• Wishing you comfort, wonder, and mercy.
• May your home reflect His love and light.
• Hope was born; may it grow in you.
• Peace on earth, beginning with us.
• Grateful for your witness and care.
• He is with us—now and always.
• Joy to the world, and to you.
• Blessings to your family in His name.

Bold LSI: blessings, peace and joy, nativity.

For Family: Parents, Siblings, Extended

A decorated pine sprig and a closed journal on a wooden desk in a softly lit study.
Wishing you a season filled with the warmth of family gatherings and cherished moments. May the new year bring continued joy and connection to your home.

Lead-in: Family lines honor shared history and new chapters. Keep them specific and warm. (See big idea banks for wording cues. Holiday wish lists.) poynter.org
 • Home feels brighter because of you.
• Thank you for steady love this year.
• Grateful for late talks and loud laughs.
• Your support carried me more than once.
• Wishing health, rest, and easy joy.
• May our table keep growing.
• Proud to share your last name.
• Your stories are my roots.
• Blessings on every travel and plan.
• May our traditions feel new again.
• Here’s to photos we’ll treasure.
• You always make space for me.
• Peace in our home, hope ahead.
• Hugs soon—save me a cookie.
• Our family is my greatest gift.
• Love you today and all year.

Bold LSI: family ties, home warmth, shared memories.

For Friends: Near And Far

Three unwritten greeting cards and fresh holly on a wooden desk in front of an out-of-focus evergreen wreath.
Preparing to send warm thoughts to friends near and far. A quiet moment of connection during the holiday season.

Lead-in: Friends deserve honest joy and a dash of fun. Mention a memory if you can. (Tone references from broad examples help brainstorming. Popular wish collections.) poynter.org
 • Your friendship was the year’s highlight.
• Let’s plan a winter walk soon.
• New city, same old us.
• Grateful for every check-in.
• May your apartment glow tonight.
• Here’s to trips we still owe.
• Coffee on me in January.
• Your texts got me through.
• Keep the playlists coming, please.
• May your plans fall into place.
• You cheer for me so well.
• Wishing courage for new projects.
• See you where the lights sparkle.
• More board games, fewer emails.
• Laugh lines > deadlines next year.
• Love you, my chosen family.

Bold LSI: friendship, inside jokes, together again.

For Couples: Romantic Holiday Wishes

A folded red wax-sealed letter and two champagne flutes on a wooden desk in the soft glow of a desk lamp.
Thoughtful words and quiet moments are the heart of the holiday season. Sending warm wishes to your special someone.

Lead-in: Keep it tender and real. Specific winter imagery helps. (Browse tone examples to calibrate sweetness. Seasonal wording ideas.) poynter.org
 • Your hand is my winter home.
• Candlelight suits your smile.
• Let’s keep choosing each other.
• I love our quiet nights most.
• May our goals grow together.
• You are my holiday peace.
• Here’s to cozy movies and plans.
• I’ll meet you under every star.
• Our love makes the year brighter.
• Thank you for your patience always.
• I fall for you every December.
• New year, same favorite person.
• Your laugh warms the room.
• I’m grateful for our ordinary days.
• More road trips, fewer worries.
• You are my best gift.

Bold LSI: cozy nights, winter magic, my person.

For Kids And Teens: Cute And Cheerful

An open blank notebook with a festive red pencil on a wooden desk next to colorful sticky notes and a mug, with morning light creating soft shadows.
A cheerful and organized space for jotting down seasonal thoughts. Perfect for sparking holiday creativity.

Lead-in: Keep words simple and happy. Bright images work best. (See general kid-safe framing in large lists.Family-friendly examples.)poynter.org
 • Hope your cookies pass quality control.
• May your snowman win first place.
• Big hugs, small homework.
• Lights bright, bedtime easy.
• May your sled run forever.
• You’re on Santa’s VIP list.
• New notebooks, new ideas.
• Shine at every school concert.
• May your team have a winning season.
• Friends who share snacks and secrets.
• Dream big; draw bigger.
• You make our home sparkle.
• Be kind, brave, and curious.
• Wish lists and wonder always.
• New year, new adventures.
• We are so proud of you.

Bold LSI: sparkle, wonder, cookie cheer.

Professional Holiday Card Wording

A warm morning scene on a wooden desk featuring a blank holiday card, a fountain pen, and a sprig of pine next to a stack of stationery.
A quiet workspace prepared for crafting your seasonal messages. Elegant, simple tools for your professional greetings.

Lead-in: Work notes should be gracious, neutral, and brief. Thank first, then wish well. (See professional examples for phrasing. Business messages.) poynter.org
 • Thank you for a year of teamwork.
• Wishing you rest and renewal.
• Grateful for your partnership.
• Cheers to shared wins ahead.
• May your projects land smoothly.
• Appreciate your reliability and care.
• Wishing safe travel and quiet days.
• Thank you for your leadership.
• Looking forward to new ideas.
• Health, happiness, and clear goals.
• Thanks for going the extra mile.
• Wishing prosperity in the year ahead.
• Appreciate your trust and time.
• Rest well; we’ll build well.
• Thanks for your mentorship this year.
• Warm regards from our team.

Bold LSI: appreciation, grateful partnership, warm regards.

For Clients And Coworkers

A top-down view of a leather notebook, reading glasses, and a closed book arranged on a wooden office desk in warm morning light.
A thoughtful setup for sharing your best wishes. A professional yet personal space.

Lead-in: Keep it client-safe: thank, wish well, avoid sales pushes. (General landscape: professional and client examples. Client-safe ideas.) poynter.org
 • Thank you for your continued business.
• Wishing you a restful season.
• We value our collaboration.
• May your plans thrive next year.
• Grateful for your trust in us.
• Wishing health and steady growth.
• Your partnership made this year better.
• Here’s to clear goals and wins.
• Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
• May your team enjoy time off.
• Looking forward to fresh ideas.
• Warm wishes from our whole staff.
• Appreciate the feedback you shared.
• Wishing smooth launches and calm days.
• Thank you for your loyalty.
• Here’s to a prosperous new year.

Bold LSI: thank you for your business, season’s greetings, prosperous year.

One-Line Captions For Posts And Stories

A top-down view of blank green flashcards held by a clipboard with a red and green striped clip, next to a gold pen and pine sprig on a wooden desk.
Keep your holiday messages fresh and simple. A little inspiration for your season’s greetings.

Lead-in: Short captions help photos carry the mood. Keep them crisp. (See large consumer lists for tone scope. Quick caption ideas.) poynter.org
 • Lights, cocoa, and calm nights.
• New year, same kind heart.
• Merry and meaning it.
• Peace inside, snow outside.
• Grateful now, hopeful next.
• Tree lit, heart light.
• Cozy today, brave tomorrow.
• Rest, reflect, renew.
• Joy belongs here.
• Notes of cinnamon and hope.
• Winter glow, steady goals.
• Braver by January.
• Cookies first, emails later.
• Home for the holidays.
• Quiet night, bright year.
• More hugs, less rush.

Bold LSI: caption ideas, short lines, photo dump.

Inclusive Holiday Greetings

A wooden library table in warm morning light holds an open notebook, a closed book, a white mug, and a small poinsettia plant.
A quiet, thoughtful space for composing seasonal messages. Warm and welcoming holiday tones.

Lead-in: Use warm, inclusive phrases when audiences are diverse. “Happy holidays” is a respectful default. (See workplace inclusion guidance. Inclusive holiday guidance.) britannica.com
 • Happy holidays and a peaceful New Year.
• Wishing you rest, joy, and renewal.
• Warmest greetings to you and yours.
• Hope the season treats you kindly.
• Sending light for the days ahead.
• Grateful for our connection this year.
• Cheers to health and good news.
• May your winter be gentle and bright.
• Wishing you calm days and clear skies.
• Thank you for being part of our year.
• Joy in your traditions and home.
• Here’s to time with people you love.
• Peace in your space, hope in your plans.
• May the new year open new doors.
• Wishing comfort and community to you.
• Warm wishes from our team to you.

Bold LSI: happy holidays, seasonal cheer, new year wishes.

New Year Text Messages And SMS

A notebook and a phone with a softly lit, blurry screen sit on a wooden desk in a cozy evening setting.
Simple ideas to help you craft your messages. A quiet moment for thoughtful writing.

Lead-in: Texts benefit from punchy lines. Keep them quick and positive. (See New Year context for variety across cultures. New Year festival overview.) britannica.com
 • New year, new mercy, same you.
• Grateful for last year, ready for this one.
• Let’s chase small wins daily.
• Fresh calendar, steady habits.
• You’ve got this—day one.
• Health, hope, and good coffee.
• Here’s to brave choices.
• May your plans find momentum.
• Cheering you on all January.
• Less noise, more meaning.
• Happy New Year—start kind.
• Ready when you are, 2026.
• Text me your first win.
• Here’s to clearer priorities.
• New pages, same purpose.
• Celebrate tonight, build tomorrow.

Bold LSI: fresh start, year ahead, cheers.

Thank-You Lines After The Holidays

A top-down photograph of a notebook with blank pages, two red and green paper clips, and a pencil on a wooden library table in daylight.
A quiet space for thoughtful reflection and planning after the busy holiday season. Simple tools for expressing gratitude.

Lead-in: Follow up with gratitude. Mention the gift or moment, not the price. (General etiquette reminders are helpful. Holiday card etiquette.) Emily Post
 • Thank you for hosting a beautiful night.
• Your gift was thoughtful and perfect.
• We’ll use it and think of you.
• Thanks for braving the weather.
• Your card meant a lot to us.
• Appreciate your time and care.
• Loved the recipe you shared.
• Thank you for the surprise drop-by.
• Your kindness steadied our week.
• We’re grateful for your support.
• Thanks for making the season easier.
• Your note arrived right on time.
• We loved celebrating together.
• Thanks for every check-in.
• You always go above and beyond.
• We’re lucky to know you.

Bold LSI: gratitude, thoughtful gift, kindness.

Classic Quotes For Christmas And The New Year

A top-down view of an open leather notebook and a brass pen on a linen-covered library table, with a pine sprig and blank cards beside it.
A quiet, reflective space for timeless sentiments. The tools for writing meaningful wishes are at hand.

Lead-in: Use short, public-domain or widely attributed lines; avoid long quotes on cards. (Browse safe, high-level references before choosing. Holiday overviews.) britannica.com
 • “Peace on earth, good will to men.”
• “Light shines in the darkness.”
• “Let your heart be light.”
• “Joy to the world.”
• “A thrill of hope.”
• “Make the coming year count.”
• “Ring out the false, ring in the true.”
• “Start where you are.”
• “Hope smiles from the threshold.”
• “Tomorrow is the first blank page.”
• “Love is the only miracle.”
• “Be the light you seek.”
• “Courage, dear heart.”
• “Choose joy each morning.”
• “Do small things with love.”
• “Kindness is always in season.”

Bold LSI: timeless quotes, inspiration, joy.

How To Write And Send Holiday Cards

A close-up top-down photo of a blank holiday card, a silver pen, a small evergreen sprig, and a stack of blank cards on a wooden desk.
Gathering your thoughts and materials is the first step. A simple, blank card awaits your personal message.

Lead-in: Keep cards simple: greet, add a note, wish well, sign. Capitalize “Happy New Year” for the holiday, and mail on time. (See AP/Poynter style guidance and Emily Post timing.) poynter.org+1
 • Start with a warm greeting.
• Add one personal detail.
• Offer a clear wish or blessing.
• Keep it under five lines.
• Use names you know they prefer.
• Spell-check every card twice.
• Capitalize holiday names correctly.
• Avoid sales talk in greetings.
• Sign with a simple, warm close.
• Mail Christmas cards in early December.
• New Year cards can arrive in early January.
• Include return address on envelopes.
• Use inclusive phrases for mixed groups.
• Handwrite a line when possible.
• Keep a list for next year.
• Save a few for last-minute needs.

Bold LSI: card wording, capitalization, mail timing.

FAQs

What do you write in a Christmas and New Year card?

Keep it simple: greeting, personal note, wish, and warm sign-off. Short lines are easiest to read. (See concise card wording guidance.) poynter.org

How should I capitalize “Happy New Year”?

Capitalize it for the holiday; otherwise use lowercase in general uses. (See AP/Poynter style tips.) poynter.org

Is it OK to send New Year cards instead of Christmas?

Yes. New Year cards are common and can arrive in early January. (See Emily Post holiday cards.) Emily Post

What’s a professional way to wish clients or coworkers?

Thank them first, keep it neutral, and wish success ahead. Avoid sales pushes in the greeting itself. (See business card examples.) poynter.org

When should I mail holiday cards?

Mail Christmas cards in early December; New Year cards may arrive in early January. (Etiquette guidance here: holiday greeting cards.) Emily Post

Conclusion

Christmas and happy new year wishes give you the chance to share positivity, gratitude, and festive spirit with those you care about. Thoughtful messages, warm notes, and simple greetings can strengthen bonds and bring smiles during the holidays. Start creating your own personalized wishes today to make this season truly special for your friends and family.

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