How to Write a Corporate Holiday Greeting Clients Will Read
A practical guide to writing a short, warm holiday greeting for clients, customers and partners: what to say, what to avoid and when to send it.
A holiday greeting is one of the few messages a business sends that is not selling anything. That is exactly why it works: it tells people you value the relationship, not just the invoice. This guide covers how to write a greeting that sounds like a person wrote it, who to send it to and when.
1. Decide who it is for
A greeting to a long-standing client reads differently from one to a customer who bought once. Make a short list of the groups you want to reach, such as clients, partners and suppliers, and write a version for each. Three or four versions are enough. Do not try to write one message that suits everyone, because it will end up vague.
2. Open with thanks
Start with a thank you, and make it specific if you can. A project you finished, a deadline they helped you meet or simply a year of working together all count. People remember being thanked for something real. Skip phrases such as “valued stakeholders” and write the way you would speak to the person.
3. Use inclusive wording
Your clients may celebrate different holidays or none at all. “Season’s greetings” and “happy holidays” are safe openings, and you can add a more personal wish for people you know well. Avoid assumptions about what someone celebrates, and avoid religious imagery unless you know your audience shares it.
4. Keep it to three or four sentences
A holiday greeting is not a newsletter. A thank you, a wish for the break and a wish for the year ahead is a complete message. If you have news or an offer, send it separately in January. Mixing a promotion into a greeting makes the thanks feel less sincere.
5. Name the sender
Sign it with a person or a team, not a department. “Sam and the whole support team” is warmer than “Customer Services”. If the relationship is with one person, let that person sign it.
6. Check the details
Before you send, check the spelling of names, the name of the company and the date. Make sure the message does not mention anything private, such as prices, contract terms or an account number. If you share a link to a card, remember that anyone who has the link can read the message.
7. Choose the right time
Early to mid December is a good window for most businesses. Inboxes are busier in the last few days before the break, and some people are already away. Christmas Day 2026 is on Friday, 25 December. If you work across regions, send a general greeting early in December, and consider a New Year message in the first week of January for clients who celebrate later in the season.
A short example
Dear Maria, thank you for a year of great work together. We are grateful for your trust and your patience on the new project. We wish you a restful holiday season and a bright start to the new year. Warm regards, Sam and the team.
Common questions
Should I add a discount? Keep the greeting separate from any offer. If you want to share a promotion, send it on another day.
Is a card better than an email? A card people open feels more personal than a block of text, and it takes only a few seconds. Use whichever format your clients are used to.
How do I send it to many people? Use one link for everyone, or make one link per person to include their name. You can paste the link into your normal email or message.
To write one now, open the Corporate Holiday Greeting page, or browse ready-made corporate holiday messages and copy one that fits.