Christmas is a magical time, but let's be honest. It can be a bit stressful. It's always important to slow down and remember why we're celebrating and then share the joy with loved ones. Let this list of Merry Christmas wishes do the work for you.

Now, if you're contemplating how to deliver your holiday message—whether card, text, or Instagram post—you'll find handy tips at the end of this list. But if your main question is what do you say in a Merry Christmas card, we’ve rounded up dozens of ideas here, ranging from heartwarming and inspirational to romantic, religious, and even funny—and all are short, so your hand doesn’t get tired writing.

Along with unique and meaningful Christmas wishes, you’ll find timeless Christmas quotes from notable figures and authors. Others hale from favorite holiday songs and beloved Christmas movies (one of our all-time favorites comes from Elf: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.").

Need more ideas? To keep the reason for the season top of mind, peruse these Christmas Bible verses and religious Christmas quotes. Or, if you tend to keep your greetings on the lighthearted side, check out our collections of funny Christmas quotes and tree-mendously cute and clever Christmas puns.

Whichever path you choose, your loved ones and acquaintances are sure to appreciate the glad tidings. Merry merry to you and yours!

Merry Christmas Wishes for Text Messages

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• Merry merry!
• You are in my ❤️ this 🎄.
• WISHING YOU PE🎄CE & J❄️Y
• Joyeux Noel
• Have a holly jolly 🎄!
• Glad tidings!
• Thinking of you on this Christmas Day.
• Though we're far apart, know that you're in my heart.
• Sending you all the merry Christmas wishes!
• Hope Santa was good to you this year!
• New phone, who dis?
• Call me once the gifts are unwrapped!
• Hope your day is filled with Hallmark Christmas movies.
• Make some time for a long winter's nap today.
• Raising a glass of eggnog to you!
• See you on New Year's! 🥂
• 🥛 + 🍪 = 🎅
• Heard you were back on the naughty list this year!
• Wishing you peace and joy on Christmas Day.
• 🎄 🎁 🎅 🦌
• Let's go caroling. 🎶
• Hope Santa brought you more than socks and underwear.
• Warmest blessings on Christmas Day.
• Meet me under the mistletoe.
• Counting my blessings on Christmas, and one of them is you!
• My fireplace or yours? 🔥

Short Christmas Wishes

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• May the joy of Christmas fill you every day of the year!
• “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day. It’s a frame of mind.” — Miracle on 34th Street
• Have a magical holiday season!
• It's the most wonderful time of the year!
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
• "At Christmas, all roads lead home." —Marjorie Holmes
• Happy ho-ho-holidays.
• Time to jingle bell rock.
• Joy to the world.
• Get ready for your heart to grow three sizes.
• Christmas, don't be late!
• All is calm, all is bright.
• May joy linger in your heart.
• Tis the season to be jolly.
• Sending you light and laughter this Christmas.
• "Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand!" –Dr. Seuss.

Merry Christmas Wishes for Friends

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• When I count the blessings of my life, I count you twice!
  
• The gift of your friendship is my favorite Christmas present.
• "Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room." —Nora Roberts
• For you, at Christmas time: a wish for happiness, warmth, and love.
• It's people like you that make Christmas so special and meaningful. Thank you.
• Thinking of you this season and wishing you a joyful holiday.
• Cheers to eggnog by the fire, warm holiday memories, and you.
• Every Christmas is merrier because you're a part of it, my forever friend.
• The gift of love, of joy, of peace... May all these and more be yours this Christmas.
• I'm grateful for you every day—but especially at Christmastime.
• May the melody and spirit of the holidays fill your home with love and peace.
• No matter how far apart we are, the warmth of Christmas will bring us closer together.
• Not even Santa could bring a better friend.
• Let's get merry and bright!
• Snowflake kisses and candy cane wishes.
• Here's to a magical holiday.

Heartwarming Christmas Messages

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• “Christmas is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” —Freya Stark
• Wishing you peace, joy, and unconditional love at Christmas and always.
• "And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone." —Taylor Caldwell
  
• "Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." —Zuzu Bailey, It's a Wonderful Life
• "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." —Will Ferrell, Elf
• "Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf." —Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let, Everyday Be Christmas"
  
• There's nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child.
• "Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance—each beautiful, unique, and gone too soon." —Deborah Whipp
• "It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." —W.T. Ellis
  
• "Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." —Charles Schultz
• "My idea for Christmas is very simple: Loving others." —Bob Hope
  

Merry Christmas Wishes to My Love

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• Merry Kiss-mas, my love.
• I already got my Christmas present. (It's you!) XXOO
• My love for you shines brighter than the lights on the tree.
• "The world has grown weary through the years, but at Christmas, it is young." —Phillips Brooks
• You're my favorite Christmas present this year.
• Meet you under the mistletoe.
• Let's make some Christmas magic.
• You're the most wonderful part of the most wonderful time of the year.
• Christmas is full of miracles. You're one.
• Merry Christmas to the person who makes my winter days a little bit warmer.
• There are many gifts under the Christmas tree, but the best one is you!
• You light up my life like a Christmas tree.
• All I want for Christmas is you.
• Let's make it a December to remember.
• I hope we get snowed in together.

Religious Christmas Wishes

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• "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." —Isaiah 9:6-7
• "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." —John 1:14
• "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." —Luke 2:14
• "In our world too, a stable once had something bigger inside it that was bigger than our whole world." —Queen Lucy, The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
  
• "Peace with God, peace with others, and peace in your own heart." —Rick Warren
• “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.” —Mother Teresa
• "It is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." —Mother Teresa
• "All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ." —David Jeremiah
• "When Christ was born, so was our hope." —Max Lucado

Merry Christmas Wishes for Everyone

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• May this season be full of light and laughter for you and your family.
• Warm wishes for a happy holiday.
• Peace, good will, and happiness for you at Christmas and always.
• Count your blessings, sing your Christmas carols, open your gifts, and make a wish under the Christmas tree.
• May the lights of Christmas be your guide, and the Christmas carols fill you with cheer.
• "Christmas gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us." —David Cameron
• "Christmas is the day that holds all time together." —Alexander Smith
• "Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed." —Ann Garnett Schultz
• "Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." —Dr. Seuss
• Although it's been said, many times, many ways... Merry Christmas to you.

Inspirational Christmas Messages

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• May the true spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path.
• Wishing you a season that’s merry and bright with the light of God’s love.
• “May this season find you among those you love, sharing in the twin glories of generosity and gratitude." —Oprah Winfrey
• "Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago." —Tom Baker
• "Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." —Winston Churchill
• "Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart." —The Polar Express
• "I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another." —Carrie Fisher
• "Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day." —Helen Steiner Rice
• "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Peale
• May you be filled with wonder, this Christmas and always.
• Celebrate the light of the world.
• Remember the reason for the season.

Christmas Wishes for Colleagues

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• Happy holidays to my favorite coworker.
• Sending you comfort and joy for 2023.
• See you next year!
• What a wonderful year! Enjoy your break.
• Cheers to another successful year!
• I'm so grateful to have you as a coworker and a friend. Merry Christmas!
• Thanks for keeping me sane this year!
• Working with you is the best gift.
• Enjoy a restful holiday with your family.

Funny Christmas Wishes

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• Santa isn't the only one who sleighs.
• Forget the 12 days of Christmas. I'll just take the golden ring!
• I'll rock around the Christmas tree until 9 p.m.
• Let's get lit!
• All I want for Christmas is food.
• Grab your ugly sweater. It's time to party.
• Sorry, Santa. We tried.
• Number 1 on the naughty list.
• I'm one cookie away from filling out the Santa suit.
• Christmas is a state of mind.

How Do You Message Someone "Merry Christmas"?

It's 2023—you have options!

Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue 

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