What to Write in a Christmas Card for Grandparents (With 30 Examples)
What to write in a Christmas card for your grandparents: messages from young grandkids, from adult grandchildren, from far away, and for a grandparent's first Christmas alone.
On this page
Grandparents keep Christmas cards. Many of them line them up on the mantel, reread them in January and put the good ones in a drawer. So the card that matters most is the one with a real memory in it, not the longest one.
The simplest thing to write: one thing you remember doing with them, what it meant to you, and “I love you.” Three sentences is plenty. Below are 30 examples for young grandkids, adult grandchildren, grandparents who live far away and a grandparent spending their first Christmas alone.
What to write in a Christmas card for grandparents
- Start with a memory. A recipe, a song, a summer, a job they taught you. Be specific: “the pancakes on Saturday mornings” beats “all the good times.”
- Say what it gave you. “I still make them for my kids.” “That’s why I love the lake.”
- Close with love and a wish. “Merry Christmas, I love you both” is never wrong.
Write it by hand if you can. For many grandparents, your handwriting is part of the gift.
Messages from young grandkids
Let kids say it their way. A crooked sentence and a drawing will be kept longer than anything polished.
- Dear Grandma, I love baking cookies with you. Merry Christmas!
- Grandpa, thank you for reading me stories. You do the best voices.
- I miss you and I can’t wait to see you. Love, Emma.
- Merry Christmas, Nana! I drew you a picture of your dog.
- Thank you for the sleepovers. Your house is my favorite.
- I love you to the moon and back, Grandma and Grandpa.
When we put “grandpa, from his 7-year-old grandson” and “building the birdhouse together” into our Christmas Card Message Generator, one of its short-and-sweet drafts sounded just like a kid planning ahead:
Next year, can we build another birdhouse together, Grandpa? Maybe we can make one with two rooms so even more birds can visit. I’ll practice my hammering so I can help even more!
If your child can’t write yet, ask them “What do you like doing with Grandpa?” and write their answer word for word.
Messages from adult grandchildren
As an adult, you can finally say what they gave you. Grandparents rarely hear it.
- I make your stuffing every year now. It’s never quite as good, but everyone asks for it. Merry Christmas, Grandma.
- Thank you for always being the calm one in the house. I understand now how much work that was.
- I’m grateful I got to grow up with you two so close by. Merry Christmas, with all my love.
- Grandpa, I still hear your advice in my head every time I sign a lease. Thank you. Merry Christmas.
- You never missed a school play, and I never forgot it. Wishing you both a happy, cozy Christmas.
- Now that I have a home of my own, I finally get why you always had the porch light on. Love you both.
From our generator, for a grown grandson whose grandpa taught him to change a tire, which he finally needed this year (lightly trimmed):
Grandpa, after changing that tire this year, I realized it wasn’t just about cars. It was about how you’ve always been there to teach me what matters. Thank you both for showing me what it means to take care of someone.
Messages for grandparents who live far away
Distance is the thing they feel most at Christmas. Name it, then make it smaller.
- I wish I were at your table this year. Save me a slice of pie and I’ll be there in the spring.
- Our calls are my favorite part of the week. Merry Christmas from all of us.
- The kids have your photo on the fridge and say good night to it. We miss you.
- Sending you a hug in an envelope. Merry Christmas, and see you soon.
- Let’s plan a visit in the new year. I’ll bring the photos and you bring the stories.
- Far away, but always close. Merry Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa.
When we described “grandparents who live far away” and “our weekly video calls,” our generator gave this (lightly trimmed):
Thank you for making our video calls such a steady part of my weeks. It means so much that you always show up, always ask, always listen. Distance shrinks when love stays this consistent. Wishing you both the coziest Christmas.
When one grandparent has died
The first Christmas after losing a spouse is often the loneliest one. Your card can be the thing that says, “We haven’t forgotten him, and we haven’t forgotten you.”
- Say their name. It is usually a comfort, not a wound.
- Share one small memory of them at Christmas.
- Make it about the grandparent who is still here, and tell them you’ll see them or call.
- Christmas won’t be the same without Grandpa, Grandma. I’m thinking of you both and sending so much love.
- I keep remembering how Grandma decorated every room. Thank you for keeping her traditions going. Love you, Grandpa.
- We miss him with you this year. I’ll call on Christmas morning.
- Your house is still my favorite place at Christmas. We’ll be there soon.
- Grandpa loved this time of year. I hope you feel him close this Christmas.
From our generator, for “grandma, first Christmas without Grandpa” and “the carols he always sang too loud”:
Let’s sing some carols together this Christmas, Grandma. Not quietly, but bold, like he always did. It would feel right to keep that going with you.
If your family is religious, a short blessing can help here too. Our list of religious Christmas messages has several that suit a hard year.
Short messages for a gift tag
- To the best grandparents, with love.
- Merry Christmas, Grandma. Thank you for everything.
- For Grandpa, who taught me how to fix things.
- With love from your favorite grandchild. (Don’t tell the others.)
- Merry Christmas to my two favorite people.
- Thank you for all the Christmases. Here’s to many more.
- Love you always. Merry Christmas.
What to leave out
- Big news they should hear from you in person. A pregnancy or engagement deserves a call.
- Lines about age (“another year older!”). Some grandparents laugh; some don’t.
- Long apologies for not visiting. One line, then a plan, is better.
- Anything you would not want read aloud at the table. Grandparents share their cards.
Make it about your memory
The examples above work in a pinch, but the card they’ll keep mentions something only you two would know. Put “grandparents” and your memory, for example the summers we spent at their lake house, into our Christmas Card Message Generator and pick from three angles: one picturing them, one thanking them, and one looking ahead to next year. Before you copy one into the card, check that every detail actually happened; the drafts are a starting point to edit.
For the basics of any card, see how to write a Christmas card message.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in a Christmas card to my grandma?
Mention one thing you remember doing with her, say what it meant to you, and end with love. Something like "I still think of baking with you every December. Thank you for all of it. Merry Christmas, love you."
What can a young child write in a Christmas card for grandparents?
Let them say one thing they love doing with Grandma or Grandpa in their own words, then add a drawing. A parent can write a line underneath if the child is too young to write.
What do you write in a Christmas card to grandparents you don't see often?
Say you miss them, mention the way you stay in touch, like calls or photos, and suggest a plan to see each other next year. A concrete plan is more comforting than a general wish.
What do you write in a Christmas card to a grandparent who recently lost their spouse?
Name the grandparent who died, share one small memory of them at Christmas, and tell the one still with you that you are thinking of them. Avoid "I know how you feel" and keep the card gentle.
Should I write Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to my grandparents?
Use whatever your family says. If your grandparents are religious, a short blessing such as "May God bless you this Christmas" is often appreciated.
