By Owen Proctor
When deciding whom to include on your personalised Christmas cards list this year, don’t forget to add the names of the people that you work with. Writing Xmas cards for your workplace buddies, the boss and management team, and anyone else that you do business with, is a lovely way to say “thank you’” and to show appreciation for help, loyalty and support.
Unlike the personalisd messages that you may hand write inside a luxury Xmas card that you send to a family member or friend, when you’re composing a festive missive for work it’s important to consider appropriate wording etiquette.
Business Christmas Card Basics
While there are unlimited styles and designs of Christmas cards that are suitable to give and send to your co-workers, clients, customers, and other corporate business contacts, the manner in which you write and present your seasonal best wishes is a little more restrictive.
It’s important to adopt a professional and formal style of personalisation, if you want to build a stronger relationship with your boss, team, customers or business partners. Include a salutation and greeting, and keep your message short and sweet. The recipient of your beautiful luxury Christmas card will appreciate that you thought of them enough to add their name to your must-send Xmas card list.
Do bear in mind that not everyone celebrates Christmas in the same way. The ideal message to write in Christmas cards, that contain no religious sentiments, is something simple, seasonally warm and thoughtful.
For Co-Workers
If you’re lucky to work alongside people that you consider to be friends, you have more freedom and scope when writing your personalised Christmas cards. A co-worker that you know well may appreciate a customised message that includes your witty sense of humour, or a comment relating to a shared interest. It’s also acceptable to use iconic movie or literary quotes, if the Christmas card is personalised for your favourite workplace buddy.
When writing Xmas cards for your colleagues, take a moment to think about each person before you put pen to paper. If you don’t know someone all that well, it’s a good idea to play it safe with generic messages like:
“Merry Christmas! Enjoy a restful time this Christmas, and get ready to welcome a New Year that is full of happiness and good cheer.”
“Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and all good things that you wish for yourself and others.”
“Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas. May you be blessed with happiness, good health and prosperity in the New Year.”
For The Boss
When writing a Xmas card for your boss, or management superior, you’ll obviously want to create a positive and lasting impression. It’s polite to let your boss know that you love your work and their on-going support by personalising a Christmas card that features a design that expresses your unique style.
Keep the message short, sweet and general. Unless you’re a key player in a small family run business, the overall tone should be fairly formal and professional.
Write something like:
“Wishing you a happy and joyous Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.”
If you happen to be the boss, and you’re writing personalised Christmas cards for your employees, write a simple “thank you” message like:
“Thank you for all of your hard work throughout the year. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.”
For Business Partners
Your line of work may involve liaising with business partners and other associates outside of your company. Sending a bespoke corporate Christmas card that looks the business, and is perfectly worded, can help to enhance your working relationship.
Choose a striking Xmas card design that complements your business style, and includes branding. Inside the luxurious card write a concise message of goodwill to show gratitude and appreciation of your professional connection.
“Merry Christmas. Let’s celebrate a great year of partnership, and many more to come.”
Alternatively, “Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year” is suitably short and direct.
For Clients
As a small business owner, not all of the personalised Christmas cards that you write will be for your employees or business partners. You may also have clients, vendors and customers that are loyal to your business. Staying in touch via a Christmas card is especially important if you work in a competitive field. Sending each client/customer a stylish customised Xmas card ensures that you and your business will be at the forefront of their repeat business thoughts in the New Year.
A bespoke corporate seasonal greetings card sent to a client that you haven’t done business with in a while can act like a gentle reminder of your on-going professional presence. To take advantage of a prime marketing opportunity, make sure that your luxury Christmas card is embellished with stylish graphics that reflect your company values and business culture, and your business logo. Print your business email, phone number and website info on the back of the card, so that the recipient has easy access to your company details.
Showing kindness, gratitude and goodwill, with a branded Christmas card can also help to stimulate business during the quieter months, at the start of the New Year.
Write a suitably festive message like:
“Seasonal greetings and best wishes for the coming year.”
“Thank you for your loyalty. Merry Christmas and goodwill for the New Year.”
