What are Christmas card greetings?
Christmas card greetings are messages on cards sent in December. They mark the holiday season. People send them to family, friends, and coworkers. The greeting can be printed or handwritten. Common formats include "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," and "Season's Greetings."
Common Christmas card greetings
Here are phrases used on Christmas cards.
- Merry Christmas
- Happy Holidays
- Season's Greetings
- Wishing you a joyful Christmas
- Peace and joy to you
- Best wishes for the new year
Some cards include religious messages. Examples: "Rejoice in the birth of Christ" or "Blessings this Christmas."
What to write in a Christmas card
Add a personal note below the printed greeting. Keep it short. Mention a shared memory or a wish for the coming year. For example: "Hope you enjoy the holidays. See you in January." Sign your name. If you send many cards, a printed signature works. For close friends, handwrite the note.
When to send Christmas cards
Send cards between late November and mid-December. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing by December 15 for arrival before December 25. Cards sent after December 20 may arrive late. For international addresses, send by December 10.
Christmas card etiquette
- Include a return address.
- Use the correct title and spelling of names.
- For business cards, avoid religious messages unless the recipient shares that faith.
- Do not expect a card in return. The gesture is the point.
History of Christmas cards
The first commercial Christmas card was commissioned by Henry Cole in 1843 in London. It showed a family at a table. Hallmark sold its first Christmas cards in 1915. Today, Americans send about 1.3 billion Christmas cards each year.