How to Write Christmas Wishes in Spanish (2024)

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are holidays that evoke strong emotions in cultures that celebrate them, and the exuberant Latin Americans are not exempt from this. Quite the contrary, strong family values and deeply rooted religious traditions are still the norm across the continent, which means that Christmas and New Year’s Eve are often celebrated “a lo grande”.

All the more reason to send a warm greeting to co-workers, friends or family in Spanish-speaking countries. But perhaps you’re not sure what to write in a Christmas card in Spanish? Or you’re stuck on the question: How do you end a greeting card in Spanish? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Thanks to José Feliciano’s song “Feliz Navidad”, pretty much anyone that has ever listened to a radio in the western world in December since 1970 will at least know how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish. But let’s learn a few more common Christmas wishes that will help you spread on some festive cheer on to your Spanish-speaking friends.

Short greetings for Christmas cards in Spanish

Hearing from friends and loved ones around Christmas and New Year’s is always heartwarming, even if their message is brief, so here’s a list of short, timeless phrases to use for your Christmas cards and emails. From a simple Merry Christmas to the question “what do you want for Christmas?” in Spanish. (Please note that we’re capitalizing many of the words in the greetings not because this is a grammar rule, but because it goes more with the style of Christmas card greetings.)

And here are a couple more geared toward children:

¡No te olvides de decorar el árbol de Navidad!
Don’t forget to decorate the Christmas tree!

¿Le enviaste una carta a Papá Noel?
Did you send a letter to Father Christmas?

¿Qué quieres que te regalen en Navidad?
What do you want for Christmas?

Full Christmas Greetings in Spanish Cards

Now that you’ve already got the basics of how to write Merry Christmas in Spanish, we’ll present you with two samples of complete Christmas card greetings. If your Spanish level is up for it, feel free to change or add to the sample below to make it more personal.

Full Christmas Card Greeting 1:

Mamá,

Este año no vamos a poder visitarte como siempre lo hacemos para pasar la Navidad juntos. Seguramente más adelante tendremos muchos momentos para pasar tiempo juntos. Te mandamos muchísimo cariño y los mejores deseos para el Año Nuevo.

Abrazos fuertes,

Tus hijos, Andrea y Alejandro

Translation:

Mom,

This year we won’t be able to visit you like we normally do to spend Christmas together. Surely, in a little while we’ll have a lot of moments to spend time together. We’re sending you heaps of affection and our best wishes for the New Year.

Strong hugs,

Your children, Andrea and Alejandro

Full Christmas Card Greeting 2:

Querida María y Arnulfo,

Este año ha sido muy difícil para todos. Sin embargo, espero que esta Navidad, tomen un momento para agradecer las cosas positivas que les sucedieron este año. ¡Les deseo un Año Nuevo lleno de amor y éxitos!

Con mucho cariño,

Yadhira

Translation:

Dear María and Arnulfo,

This year has been very difficult for all of us. Nevertheless, I hope that this Christmas you’ll take a moment to give thanks to all the positive things that have happened to you this year. I wish you a New Year fill of love and success!

With affection,

Yadhira

Catching up after Christmas

Fortunately, Christmas often means time off work and travel, which means you sometimes don’t get to see your coworkers or friends until the New Year. So, what if you want to ask them “How was your Christmas” in Spanish? Here are a few useful phrases to help you do just that.

¿Cómo pasaron la Navidad?
How was your Christmas? (you-plural)

¿Qué hiciste en Nochebuena?
What did you do on Christmas Eve? (you-singular)

¿Cómo celebraron la Nochevieja?
How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? (you-plural)

¿Qué te regalaron?
What presents did you get?

¿Qué planes tienes para el Año Nuevo?
What plans do you have for the New Year?

¡Listo! You’ve just made your Spanish Christmas-proof! Go ahead and use those skills wisely and surprise your Spanish-speaking friends with a warm greeting this holiday season,

Con cariño,

Your friends from the Latin American Spanish Café