The best Christmas cards for clients are personal, brief and sent on time: a quality printed card with a handwritten-style note or a short thank-you, signed by a real person, and mailed in early December. To stand out, add something they don't get from every vendor, such as a photo of your team and a short video message from the owner or account manager that plays when they scan the card.
Most clients receive a stack of generic holiday cards every December, and most of them end up in the recycling bin by January. A card that feels personal tells a client you remember them as people, not just as an account. Below is a practical guide to choosing, writing and sending Christmas cards for clients, plus ideas for doing it at scale without losing the personal touch.
Why Christmas Cards for Clients Still Matter
Email greetings are easy to send and easy to ignore. A printed card arrives on a desk, gets picked up, and often stays there through the holidays. Client holiday cards are a simple way to:
- Say thank you for the year's business without asking for anything.
- Remind clients there are real people behind your company.
- Open the door to a relaxed conversation in January.
The key is that the card should feel like it came from someone, not from a mail merge.
How to Choose a Christmas Card for Clients
Keep the design professional and warm
Choose a clean, classic design rather than an inside joke. Gold accents, winter scenes and simple "Season's Greetings" wording work for almost any client. If your client list includes people who don't celebrate Christmas, a "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" message is the safer choice.
Use a team photo
A photo of your team, your office or your owner gives the card a human face. It doesn't need to be a professional shoot; a well-lit group photo taken on a phone is enough.
Add a short video message
This is where a card can genuinely stand out. With The Christmas Card from Closer Prints (formerly Closer Cards), you add your photo, two short lines of text and a video of up to 90 seconds. When the client scans the card with their phone, your video plays right on the photo. A 30-second thank-you from the founder or the account manager is more memorable than any printed sentence.
What to Write in a Christmas Card for Clients
Keep it short, sincere and free of sales talk. A few examples you can adapt:
- "Thank you for trusting us this year. Wishing you and your team a restful holiday season."
- "Working with you made our year. Merry Christmas and a happy new year from all of us."
- "Grateful for your partnership in 2026. Here's to an even better 2027."
- "Season's greetings from our team to yours. Thank you for being such a great client."
- "We couldn't have done this year without clients like you. Happy holidays!"
Tips for the message
- Name a specific project or moment when you can: "Launching the new store with you was a highlight of our year."
- Sign with real names, not just the company logo.
- Skip discounts and promotions. A thank-you card that turns into an ad feels less sincere.
For more wording ideas for adults of every kind, see our guide to Christmas card ideas for adults.
Video Message Ideas for Client Cards
If you add a video, keep it under a minute and talk like you would on a friendly call:
- The founder's thank-you: one or two sentences about the year and a genuine thanks.
- The whole team waving: a quick group "Happy holidays" from the office.
- A look back: 20 seconds about a project you completed together.
- A look ahead: what you're excited to work on with them next year.
Read more about why this works in a Christmas card with a video message.
Sending Client Cards at Scale
If you have dozens or hundreds of clients, you still don't need to give up the personal touch. A few approaches:
- One design, one video, many cards. Record one heartfelt message from the owner and send the same card to every client.
- Segment by account manager. Each account manager records a short video for their own clients.
- Top clients get a personal video. Send a custom message to your most important relationships and a team video to everyone else.
Closer Prints quantity pricing applies automatically at checkout across any mix of printed designs: for example, 20 to 99 cards are $6.32 each and 100 or more are $5.53 each. You can order 100 copies of the same card in one online order shipped to one office address. See all tiers on the bulk discounts page, and if you're planning cards for clients or employees, visit Closer Prints for Business.
When to Send Christmas Cards to Clients
Aim for cards to land in the first two weeks of December, before offices empty out for the holidays. For Closer Prints printed cards shipped within the US, Christmas 2026 dates are:
- December 10: last day to order 50 or more cards for Christmas delivery.
- December 14: last day for smaller orders.
- December 16: last day with Priority shipping.
Browse designs in the Christmas collection.
FAQ: Christmas Cards for Clients
Should businesses send Christmas cards to clients?
Yes, if the card is sincere. A short, personal printed card thanks clients for their business, reminds them there are real people behind your company, and is more likely to be noticed than an email greeting.
What do you write in a Christmas card to a client?
Thank them for the year's work together, mention a specific project if you can, and wish them a restful holiday. For example: "Thank you for trusting us this year. Wishing you and your team a restful holiday season." Avoid sales pitches.
Is it better to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to clients?
If you know the client celebrates Christmas, "Merry Christmas" is fine. For a mixed client list, "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" is the more inclusive choice.
When should I send holiday cards to clients?
Plan for cards to arrive in early to mid December. For Closer Prints orders of 50 or more cards, order by December 10 for Christmas delivery; smaller orders by December 14, or December 16 with Priority shipping.
How can I make client Christmas cards more personal?
Use a real team photo, sign with real names, and add a short video message from the owner or account manager that plays when the client scans the card.