Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas on business holiday cards
We'd use Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays on business holiday cards when you don't know every client's traditions, and Merry Christmas only for clients you know celebrate it. The Emily Post Institute suggests a broader greeting when you don't know the person well, such as a business contact.
What the etiquette advice says
When you don't know someone well, such as a business contact, the Emily Post Institute suggests a broader greeting like Season's Greetings or Happy New Year, on a card with no religious figures, messages or symbols.
How to choose for your mailing list
- Most clients: Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings or Warm Wishes.
- Clients you know celebrate Christmas: Merry Christmas in the message, sent as a separate set of cards.
- A mixed list in one mailing: a New Year greeting, which avoids religious associations.
If you split your list, send the two groups as separate mailings with their own greeting. Keep the rest of the message the same. With us, each order carries one message, so place a second order for that group.
The greetings on our cards
Each of our three designs carries a broad greeting on the front. Evergreen reads "Happy Holidays, and a joyful new year", Snowfall reads "Season's Greetings, warm wishes for the year ahead" and Ornaments reads "Warm Wishes, for the holidays and the new year". The message on the back is yours to write.
Want a broad greeting on every card? We print each card with "Dear" and your client's first name, your note and your name, and mail it First-Class for $2.99 a card, postage included (as of November 2026). You see a proof of every card before you pay.
Make your cardsQuestions
Is it OK to say Merry Christmas to business clients?
Yes, to clients you know celebrate Christmas. When you aren't sure, the Emily Post Institute suggests a broader greeting such as Season's Greetings or Happy New Year.
What is the most neutral holiday greeting for business?
Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays or Happy New Year. A New Year greeting avoids the religious associations of the holiday season, according to the Emily Post Institute.
Can I send different greetings to different clients?
Yes. Split your mailing list into two groups and send each its own set of cards, keeping the rest of the message the same.
Sources
The pages we read for this guide.