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Christmas Card Messages for Clients (40 Business Examples That Don't Sound Like a Template)

Business Christmas and holiday card messages for clients and customers: a three-part formula, 40 examples for long-term clients, new clients, small businesses and agencies, plus sign-offs and what to leave out.

MKMark King · Published Nov 9, 2026 · 5 min read

A client card is a small thing that does a lot of work. It thanks someone for their business, reminds them you are a person and not just an invoice, and keeps the relationship warm into the new year.

The problem is that most business cards read like they were printed for 500 people. Because they were. Here is how to write one that does not, plus 40 examples.

The three-part formula

1. Thank them for something specific. The project you finished together, how long they’ve worked with you, a referral they sent.
2. Look forward. Mention next year in general terms: “more projects”, “the spring launch”, “working together again”.
3. Wish them a good break. Keep it about rest and people, not about sales.

If you send many cards, write the specific line by hand on each one. A printed message plus one handwritten sentence beats a fully handwritten generic one.

Should you say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”?

If you know the client celebrates Christmas, “Merry Christmas” is warm and personal. If you don’t know, or you are sending to a large list, “Happy holidays” and “Season’s greetings” include everyone. Both are professional. The specific line matters far more than the greeting.

For long-term clients

1. Thank you for another year of working together. It’s been a pleasure to grow alongside your team. Wishing you a restful holiday season.
2. Five years in, and we still look forward to every project with you. Thank you for your trust. Happy holidays!
3. Thank you for being one of our very first clients and for sticking with us ever since. Merry Christmas to you and your team.
4. We’re grateful for your partnership this year, especially on the spring rollout. Here’s to more of the same next year.
5. Clients like you make our work genuinely enjoyable. Thank you, and warm wishes for the season.
6. Thank you for the honest feedback and the good humor. Both made us better. Happy holidays.
7. Another year, another set of projects we’re proud of, thanks to you. Wishing you a peaceful break.
8. Thank you for your loyalty and your patience this year. We don’t take either for granted. Merry Christmas.

For new clients

9. It’s been a great first year working with you. Thank you for choosing us. Happy holidays!
10. We’re so glad our paths crossed this year. Looking forward to everything we’ll build together. Season’s greetings.
11. Thank you for giving us a chance this year. We hope we’ve earned many more. Merry Christmas.
12. Welcome to the family. We’re excited about what’s ahead. Wishing you a restful holiday.
13. Thank you for trusting us with your first project. It was a pleasure from the kickoff call onward. Happy holidays.

For customers of a small business

14. Thank you for shopping small this year. Every order meant a lot to us. Merry Christmas!
15. From our tiny team to you: thank you for supporting us. Wishing you a cozy holiday.
16. You’re the reason our shop is still here. Thank you, and happy holidays from all of us.
17. Thank you for being a regular. Your visits always brighten our day. Merry Christmas.
18. Thanks for every order, review and kind word this year. See you in the new year!
19. We started this business hoping to find customers like you. Thank you, and happy holidays.

From an agency, freelancer or consultant

20. Thank you for the great briefs, the quick feedback and the trust. It made this year’s work our best yet. Happy holidays.
21. It’s been a pleasure helping your team this year. Wishing you a calm holiday and a strong start to the year.
22. Thank you for being the kind of client freelancers hope for. Merry Christmas, and enjoy the break.
23. We loved working on the rebrand with you. Thank you for a creative and fun year. Season’s greetings.
24. Thank you for the referrals this year. They mean more than any review. Warm wishes for the holidays.

For a team or company (from a manager to client teams)

25. To the whole team: thank you for being such a great partner this year. We hope you all get a proper break.
26. Thank you for a year of smooth handoffs and good conversations. Happy holidays to everyone on your team.
27. From all of us to all of you: thank you, and warm wishes for the season.

Short messages for printed cards

28. Thank you for your business. Wishing you a joyful holiday season.
29. With gratitude for your partnership this year. Happy holidays.
30. Wishing you peace, rest and good company this season.
31. Thank you for a wonderful year. Season’s greetings from our team.
32. Warm wishes for the holidays and a happy new year.
33. Grateful for you this season and always.

When the year was hard

If the project had bumps, it is fine to acknowledge them briefly. It reads as honest, not weak.

34. Thank you for your patience through the delays this year. We’re grateful you stuck with us, and we’re ready for a smoother next year.
35. It wasn’t an easy year for anyone, and we appreciated your flexibility. Wishing you a restful holiday.
36. Thank you for working through the challenges with us. We’re proud of where we ended up together.

Religious options (only when you know it’s welcome)

37. Wishing you and your family the peace and joy of Christmas. Thank you for a blessed year of working together.
38. May the light of Christmas fill your home. Thank you for your partnership this year.

For a client you hope to work with again

39. It was a pleasure working with you this year. If there’s anything we can help with next year, we’d love to hear from you. Happy holidays.
40. Thank you for the project this spring. We’d be glad to work together again. Wishing you a merry Christmas.

Sign-offs that work

• Warm regards,
• With thanks,
• Best wishes for the season,
• From all of us at [your company],

Sign with a real name, even on a company card. “From Jess and the team” is warmer than just the company name.

What to leave out

• Discount codes and sales pitches. Put those in a separate email in January, if at all.
• Jokes about the client’s industry or competitors.
• Exact revenue or project numbers. Cards get passed around.
• A long list of names. One sender plus “the team” is plenty.

Write each card in a minute

Make a short list: client name and one thing you did together this year. Then put the client and that detail into our Christmas Card Message Generator, choose “formal” or “warm”, and pick from three versions. Edit one line so it sounds like you, and move on to the next card.