The Card Message Library: 100 Gift Card Messages by Occasion, for Clients, Employees and Family
Updated
In short
Write two or three sentences in a gift card: the person's name, one specific thing you're thanking them for, and a warm close, with no sales line. Below are 100 original messages by occasion, for clients, for employees and coworkers, and for family and friends far away, each under 300 characters so it fits a printed card.
On this page14 sections
We sell a $35 logo mug gift box, printed, packed and shipped to each person's address. This guide covers the other options too.
Key facts
- 82% of employees expect "a thoughtful, personalized note with their gift" (Snappy's 2025 survey; Snappy is a gift platform and doesn't publish its sample size) (Snappy).
- Writers misjudge thank-you notes. In a series of experiments, people writing letters of gratitude "underestimated how positive recipients would feel" and "overestimated how awkward recipients would feel" (Kumar & Epley, 2018).
- 36% to 76%: survey returns when a handwritten sticky note was attached to a mailed survey (Garner, 2005). A survey study, not a gift study, but the personal touch is what moved people.
- Leave the pitch out: in business.com's 2022 poll of 1,547 professionals, prominently branded items "felt more like ads than tokens of appreciation", and its advice was "Send a gift, not an ad" (business.com).
- All 100 messages here are original and under 300 characters, spaces included.
- On a Personalized Gifts Delivered order, one message covers every card: it's printed on a textured card, greets each person by first name, and you see every card before you pay.
How Do You Write a Gift Card Message?
Three parts, in this order: their name, one specific thing, and a warm close. The specific thing does the work. In Kumar and Epley's experiments, writers "significantly underestimated how surprised recipients would be about why expressers were grateful" (UChicago News): the why is what lands.
| Who it's for | Open with | The specific part | Close with |
|---|---|---|---|
| A client | Their name | One thing they did, or trusted you with | A wish, never a pitch |
| An employee or coworker | Their name | One thing they did this year, and what it changed | Thanks, signed by a person |
| Family or a friend far away | A memory, or an inside joke | Why you wish you were there | A plan to see them, or "love" |
Two or three sentences is enough: roughly 20 to 50 words. How to use these messages: [Name] is the person's first name. On a Personalized Gifts Delivered order, the order page turns it into each person's own first name, so a [Name] message works for a whole list. Replace anything else in [brackets] with your own words before you send; those words go on every card in the order, so a message with one specific detail suits one person. Each section starts with messages that need no fields.
The library at a glance
| Occasion | Who it's for | On this page | The full set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holidays: inclusive, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, New Year | Clients and colleagues | 27 | Holiday card messages for clients |
| Thank you, any time | Clients | 6 | Thank-you messages for clients |
| Welcome and congratulations | Clients | 12 | Here |
| Holidays, from the owner or manager | Employees and coworkers | 8 | Employee holiday card messages |
| Thanks, new hires, anniversaries, farewells | Employees and coworkers | 23 | Here |
| Secret Santa | Coworkers | 4 | Remote Secret Santa |
| Holidays, thinking of you, congratulations | Family and friends far away | 20 | Christmas gifts to mail to family |
| Get well and sympathy | Anyone | 6 short lines | Here |
What to Write in a Holiday Card for Clients and Colleagues
For a mixed list, default to an inclusive greeting. For a business contact you don't know well, Emily Post's holiday-card guidance says to "go with something that has a broader sentiment" (Emily Post). Save "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" for people you know celebrate, and see "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? for the full reasoning.
Happy holidays, for anyone
Warm wishes for the season and a restful start to the new year. Thank you for being part of ours.
However you celebrate, we hope this season brings you rest, good company and something warm to drink. Happy holidays.
Thank you for a good year of working together. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a bright new year.
From all of us at [Company]: thank you for this year. Pour something warm and take a minute for yourself.
Happy holidays, [Name]. Working with you was one of the best parts of our year. Here's to the next one.
Season's greetings and thanks, [Name]. We hope the end of the year is kind to you, and the start of the next is kinder still.
Merry Christmas, for people you know celebrate
A very merry Christmas to you and yours. This year went better because you were part of it.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for being someone we always look forward to hearing from. See you in the new year.
Wishing you the peace and joy of Christmas. We're thankful for you this season and all year.
Merry Christmas, [Name]. Thank you for a year of trust and good work. We hope the season is full of the people you love.
Merry Christmas from all of us at [Company]. Enjoy the cocoa, and enjoy the time off. You've earned both.
May your Christmas be warm, your table full and your inbox quiet. Thank you for a wonderful year, [Name].
Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah 2026 begins the evening of Friday, December 4, so a Hanukkah card should arrive about three weeks before a Christmas one. More: Hanukkah 2026 gifts for clients and colleagues.
May every night of Hanukkah bring you something good: family close, candles bright and a little time to rest.
Happy Hanukkah, [Name]. We hope the holiday brings you light, family close and a few quiet evenings. Thank you for this year.
Happy Hanukkah from all of us at [Company]. Thank you for your trust this year. May the nights be bright and the latkes crisp.
[Name], happy Hanukkah. We're grateful to work with you, and we hope the season brings you rest and light.
Happy Thanksgiving
Before the December rush, a quiet thank-you: for your business, your patience and your kindness this year. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving! We're grateful for clients who are also good company. Enjoy the long weekend.
Thank you for a year we're genuinely grateful for. Wishing you a full table and a slow Friday morning.
[Name], we have a lot to be thankful for this year, and working with you is high on the list. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving felt like the right time to say what we think all year: thank you for trusting us, [Name].
Why send at Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving client gifts.
Happy New Year
A New Year card isn't late. Emily Post's guidance: "Cards are usually sent anytime from Thanksgiving until a couple weeks into the New Year" (Emily Post).
Happy New Year! Thank you for making last year easier to look back on. We're glad to start this one with you.
A new year, a fresh start and one more thank-you for the last one. Wishing you a healthy, happy year ahead.
Happy New Year from all of us at [Company]. May the year ahead bring you good work, good people and a little more rest.
The holidays are over and the inbox is filling up again, so here's something to start the year right. Thank you, [Name].
Here's to a bright year ahead, [Name], and to the good work we'll do in it. Thank you for last year.
We're starting the year by thanking the people who made the last one worth it. That includes you, [Name].
More: New Year client gifts.
A custom logo mug gift box, shipped to each client
$35 per box, delivered. No minimum: one box is fine. Add your address list and we ship each box to its own address.
See the gift boxWhat to Write to a Client Any Time of Year
Thank you
We don't need a holiday to say it: thank you for your trust, your patience and your business.
Thank you for making this year's work feel easy, even when it wasn't. We noticed, and we're grateful.
Thank you for picking up the phone, answering the hard questions and telling us when something wasn't right. That's how good work gets done.
Some clients make every project better. You're one of them, [Name]. Thank you.
[Name], thank you for [one specific thing]. It made a real difference to our team, and we wanted you to hear it from us.
A small thank-you for a client who never makes us feel small. We're lucky to work with you, [Name].
Thanking a client for a referral? In real estate, mortgage, title, insurance and some professions, rules can limit gifts to people who send you business, so read client gift limits by industry before you add a gift to the card.
Welcome a new client
Thank you for choosing us. We'll earn it every week, starting with this one.
Starting with someone new takes trust. Thank you for giving us yours. We'll take good care of it.
Welcome! Here's something warm for your first week with us. Call anytime; that's what we're here for.
Welcome aboard, [Name]! We're glad you're here. Put the kettle on; we'll take it from here.
Welcome to [Company], [Name]. We know you had other options. Thank you for trusting us with [what they hired you for].
[Name], it's a pleasure to have you with us. Here's to the first of many good years working together.
Congratulations
Congratulations on the big news! We've watched you work hard for this, and we couldn't be happier for you.
Congratulations on the new office! May it be full of good days, good coffee and good news.
Congratulations on the launch, [Name]! We know how much work went into it. Enjoy the moment.
Well deserved, [Name]. Congratulations on [the award or milestone]. We're proud to know you.
[Number] years in business is no small thing. Congratulations, and thank you for letting us be part of a few of them.
Here's to the next chapter, [Name]. Congratulations on [their news], from all of us at [Company].
What to Write in a Card for Employees and Coworkers
Name the thing they did. "Thank you for your hard work" fits anyone, so it lands with no one. Who should sign, and how: how to sign a business holiday card.
Holiday messages from the owner or manager
This year asked a lot of all of us, and you showed up every time. Thank you. Rest well over the break.
Happy holidays from all of us. Thank you for the work, the patience and the good humor you brought this year.
Thanks for a big year. Enjoy something warm, switch off your notifications and come back rested.
Thank you for making [Company] a place people want to work. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.
[Name], one thing I'll remember about this year: [specific moment]. Thank you for it, and happy holidays.
Thank you for a great year, [Name]. [Milestone] happened because of you. Enjoy the time off.
We've never shared an office, and you still made this team feel close. Thank you for this year, [Name].
From my desk to your door: thank you for this year, [Name]. I notice more than I say, and I noticed a lot.
Thank you, any time
That project was hard, and you carried more of it than anyone saw. Thank you. Take a breath; you earned it.
Just a thank-you, for no reason except that you deserve one. We're lucky to have you on the team.
Customers notice the difference you make, and so do we. Thank you for the care you put into every day.
Thank you for [specific thing], [Name]. You didn't have to, and it didn't go unnoticed.
The office runs because you do. Thank you, [Name], for everything nobody sees.
Thank you for stepping up when we needed it, [Name]. It meant more than a card can say, but this is a start.
Welcome a new hire
Every new person changes a team a little. We think you'll change ours for the better. Welcome aboard.
Hello and welcome! We're a small team, which means you'll matter from day one. We're so glad you're here.
Welcome to the team, [Name]! We're so glad you said yes. Here's something warm for your first week.
Welcome to [Company]. No question is too small in your first month, or ever. We're glad you're here, [Name].
We picked you for a reason, [Name]. Welcome to the team, and enjoy this before your first Monday.
Welcome aboard! Your first day is [date], and we can't wait. Bring your questions; we'll have the coffee ready.
Work anniversary
One year ago today you joined us. It feels like longer, in the best way. Thank you for a great first year.
Happy work anniversary, [Name]! [Number] years, and you still make the hard parts look easy. Thank you.
[Number] years of showing up, figuring it out and making us better. Happy anniversary, and thank you.
Thank you for [number] years and more than a few saves. We don't say it often enough: we're glad you're here.
Five years! Thank you for growing with us, [Name]. Here's to what comes next.
Farewell and retirement
Your next team is lucky. Thank you for everything you did here, and stay in touch.
Thank you for leaving this place better than you found it. We'll be cheering for you from here.
We'll miss you more than the inbox will. Thank you for everything, [Name], and good luck with what's next.
Happy retirement! Thank you for [number] years of good work and good company. Enjoy every unscheduled morning.
[Number] years, countless mornings. Enjoy the slow coffee, [Name]. You earned it.
It won't be the same without you, [Name]. Thank you, and congratulations on the new chapter.
Secret Santa (sign these "Your Secret Santa")
Guess who? Here's a hint: we talk most weeks, and you've never seen my kitchen. Happy holidays!
I was hoping I'd draw your name. Thanks for making this year more fun than it had any right to be.
A little warmth from your Secret Santa. Thank you for being the kind of coworker everyone hopes to get.
No hints this year. Just thanks, and a wish for a restful break. Happy holidays!
How to run one when everyone is remote: remote Secret Santa.
What to Write to Family and Friends Far Away
Write what you'd say at the door: one memory, one "I wish I were there", one plan to see them. Personal gifts can carry a photo, a design or a name instead of a logo: see the personalized mug gift box.
Holidays, from a distance
I can't be at your table this year, so I'm sending something for your mornings instead. Love you. See you soon.
Missing you this holiday. Here's something warm until we're in the same room again.
For the first cold morning: cocoa, chocolate and a hug that took the long way. Happy holidays.
Merry Christmas, Mom. Drink the cocoa, eat the truffles, and call me when you do.
Distance is the worst part of the holidays. You're the best part. Can't wait to see you in [month].
Happy holidays to my favorite people in [city]. Save me a seat at the table next year.
Thinking of our [family tradition] and wishing I were there for it. Do it once for me this year.
Merry Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa! This mug is for your morning coffee and our Sunday calls.
Thinking of you
No occasion. Just thinking of you and wishing I could drop by with a hot drink. This will have to do.
Here's something warm for a cold day, from someone who misses you.
You've been on my mind. I hope this makes today a little easier and a little sweeter.
For the friend who always checks on everyone else: this one's for you. Put your feet up.
Sending a hug in a box, since I can't send the real thing. Call me when it arrives.
Just because. Thank you for being the person I want to tell everything to.
Congratulations
You got the job! We're so proud of you. Celebrate this one properly.
Congratulations on the new place! Every new kitchen needs a first mug. Here's yours.
Congratulations on the promotion! You earned every bit of it, and we're so proud of you.
Congratulations on the engagement! We can't wait to celebrate with you in person. Until then, a toast in cocoa.
Congratulations on the new baby! For the late-night feeds and the slow mornings: something warm, from us.
A new chapter deserves a celebration. Congratulations, [Name], and we can't wait to hear all about it.
What to Write With a Get-Well or Sympathy Gift
These are lines, not order templates, and each works in any card. A gift with your company's logo on it reads as marketing at a sad moment; the personalized mug gift box carries a photo, a design or a name instead.
Get well:
- "Rest, sip something warm, and don't think about work. We'll be here when you're back."
- "Thinking of you and hoping each day is a little better than the last."
- "No need to reply. Just get well, and tell us if there's anything we can do."
Sympathy:
- "We are so sorry for your loss, [Name]. We're thinking of you and your family."
- "There are no right words. Just know you are in our thoughts."
- "We're thinking of you, [Name]. No need to reply. Just know we're here."
How Do You Sign a Gift Card?
Sign as a person whenever you can; a name reads warmer than a logo. Common sign-offs:
- "With gratitude, [your name] and the [Company] team"
- "Warmly, [your name]"
- "From all of us at [Company]" (add a person's name if you can)
- "Your Secret Santa"
- "Love, [your name]" (family and friends)
On a Personalized Gifts Delivered card, the sign-off is its own line, printed under your message on every card in the order, so leave it out of the message. The full guide, including when the team signs: how to sign a business holiday card.
More Card Message Guides
- Greetings and etiquette: "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? · How to sign a business holiday card
- Timing: 2026 holiday order-by dates · Why the note matters
- The bigger picture: Client holiday gifts · Employee gifts · Personal gifts
What to Know Before You Order
- The card is printed, not handwritten. The words do the personal work: every card greets its person by first name.
- Gift limits. Government agencies and many companies cap what staff can accept; client gift limits by industry quotes the rules. Our box is $35, delivered.
- Where we ship. We ship from New York to the lower 48 states and Washington, DC, except Texas for now. P.O. boxes are fine; no Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other US territories, APO/FPO or international.
- The treats. LINDOR truffles contain milk, soy and barley malt (gluten); read the labels.
What Happens to Your Message With Personalized Gifts Delivered
You write one message and one sign-off for the whole order. We print them on a textured card, seal it in an envelope with a gold wax-seal sticker, and lay it on the lid of a finished gift box, so it's read before the box opens. Put "{first name}" where the name goes (or keep a template's [Name]), and every card greets its person by the first name on your address list. The message can be up to 300 characters; you see every person's card before you pay, and the order page tells you if one is too long to print.
| First Name on the list | The message you write | What their card says |
|---|---|---|
| Priya | Happy holidays, {first name}. Thank you for a year of good work. | Happy holidays, Priya. Thank you for a year of good work. |
| Jordan | (the same message) | Happy holidays, Jordan. Thank you for a year of good work. |
- Pick one message with no brackets except the name. It goes on every card in the order.
- End it before the sign-off. The sign-off prints on its own line under the message.
- Give your top people an order of their own for a line only they would recognize. One box is a complete order.
Under the card is a logo mug gift box with Ghirardelli cocoa, Lindt truffles and a personal card: an 11 oz white ceramic mug with your logo printed small, a 1.5 oz packet of Ghirardelli premium hot cocoa and 4 Lindt LINDOR milk chocolate truffles packed inside it, under black tissue closed with a gold seal, all in a matte-black gift box with a magnetic lid. It's $35 per box, delivered, whether you send 1 or 50.
Can You Write, Pack and Ship 25 Cards and Gifts Yourself?
Yes: you can buy the cards and supplies, print 25 messages and pack 25 boxes yourself, and by our estimate it takes about 9 hours of hands-on work, plus a week or more waiting for supplies to arrive.
| Step | Doing it yourself (25 logo mug gift boxes, our estimate) | With Personalized Gifts Delivered |
|---|---|---|
| The mug | Find a mug printer, compare minimums, upload the logo, approve a proof: about 1 hour | Add your logo, or type your website and we'll find it |
| Supplies | About 8 more orders (gift boxes, tissue, seals, cards and envelopes, foam, cartons, crinkle, cocoa, truffles): about 1 hour | All in the box |
| The cards | Write or print 25: about 45 minutes. A typo on printed cards means printing all 25 again | One message on every card, each greeting its person by first name, every card previewed before you pay |
| Addresses | Clean up the list and buy 25 shipping labels: about 1½ hours | One list, typed, pasted or uploaded; the order page flags any row we can't ship to |
| Packing | Treats, foam, tissue, seal, card, carton, crinkle and tape, about 8 minutes a box: about 3½ hours | Packed by hand, with foam under, around and on top of the mug |
| Shipping | Drop off the cartons, then follow 25 tracking numbers: about 1 hour | Each box to its own address, shipping included, and one email with every tracking number |
| Cost | About $38 a box with USPS counter postage (about $34 with commercial postage), with $1,192.84 paid up front for the mugs, supply packs and 25 postage labels, as of Oct 26, 2026 (itemized) | $35 per box, delivered, no minimum |
Per box, the two come out about even; the difference is the 9 hours and the cash up front. One small mistake costs a round trip: a mug packed without a foam collar can break at the handle, and a stale address sends a box away and back.
For a client list, a remote team or family far away, the message is the only part you write. Add your logo (or type your website and we'll find it), or a photo or a few words for a personal gift; check the preview of your mug and card; add your address list; and pay $35 per box. We print, pack and ship each box to its own address.
Frequently asked questions
- What do you write in a gift card?
- Write two or three sentences in a gift card: the person's name, one specific thing you're thanking them for or wishing them, and a warm close. Leave out any sales line.
- How long should a gift card message be?
- A gift card message should be about 20 to 50 words, or two to three sentences. Every message in this library is under 300 characters, spaces included, so it fits a printed gift card.
- What do you write in a gift card to a client?
- In a gift card to a client, thank them for one specific thing, wish them well, and sign it with a person's name; don't pitch. In business.com's 2022 poll, prominently branded gifts "felt more like ads than tokens of appreciation."
- What do you write in a gift card for an employee?
- Name one thing they did this year and the difference it made, then thank them. In Snappy's 2025 survey (Snappy is a gift platform), 82% of employees said they expect a thoughtful, personalized note with their gift.
- Is it OK to send the same card message to everyone?
- Yes: one message for everyone works when it greets each person by first name and has no other blanks to fill. For the few people who matter most, a separate card with one specific line changes how the whole mailing reads.
- Who prints a gift card message and ships it with a gift to each person's address?
- Personalized Gifts Delivered prints your message on a textured card that lies on the lid of a $35 logo mug gift box and ships each box to its own address, with no minimum. One message covers the order, every card greets its person by first name, and you see every card before you pay.
In this section
- Thank You Messages for Clients: 48 Card Templates48 original thank-you messages for clients, each under 300 characters: holiday, project, referral, closing, anniversary, first-year and long-time clients.
- Business Christmas and Holiday Card Messages for Clients55 business Christmas and holiday card messages for clients, each under 300 characters: inclusive, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, by industry, sign-offs.
- What to Write in an Employee Holiday Card: 75 MessagesThank them for something specific, wish them a good break, sign your own name. 75 employee holiday messages under 300 characters, with inclusive options.
- Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Inclusive Card MessagesFor clients or staff with different holidays: an inclusive greeting, the same gift for everyone, and Merry Christmas only for those who celebrate it.
- How to Sign a Business Holiday Card (With Examples)How to sign a business Christmas card: a closing, a person's name, then the company, as in "Warm wishes, Maria Lopez and the team at Lopez CPA."
A custom logo mug gift box, shipped to each client
$35 per box, delivered. No minimum: one box is fine. Add your address list and we ship each box to its own address.
See the gift boxSources
- Kumar, A. & Epley, N. (2018), "Undervaluing Gratitude: Expressers Misunderstand the Consequences of Showing Appreciation", Psychological Science 29(9):1423–1435, via UChicago News.
- Garner, R. (2005), "Post-It Note Persuasion: A Sticky Influence", Journal of Consumer Psychology 15(3):230–237, via The Decision Lab.
- business.com, Corporate Gift Study (online poll of 1,547 professionals, Oct 2022), read Oct 29, 2026.
- The Emily Post Institute, Holiday Greeting Cards, read Oct 29, 2026.
- Snappy, 2025 Holiday Gifting Report (vendor survey; sample size not published), published Oct 31, 2025, updated Dec 2, 2025, snappy.com, read Oct 29, 2026.