At the end of a long year, a genuine holiday message to employees does something a performance review never quite can: it reminds your team that they are valued as people, not just contributors to a bottom line. It takes two minutes to send, but the ripple effect on morale, loyalty, and engagement can last well into the new year.
64%of employees are more likely to invest extra effort after receiving holiday appreciation
2×more likely to feel engaged when recognized at least once a month
59%less likely to look for a new job when they feel genuinely valued by their employer
Whether you manage a team of five or five hundred, the right holiday greeting signals that leadership is paying attention. Below you'll find 20 short, polished messages you can copy and paste directly into an email, Slack, card, or company-wide announcement — organized by tone so you can find the right fit instantly.
"The best holiday message to employees feels human — specific, warm, and worth reading twice."
Formal Holiday Messages to Employees (1–5)
These are ideal for company-wide emails, official newsletters, or messages from a CEO or executive team. They strike a professional balance between warmth and decorum.
1
Formal — Company-Wide
On behalf of the entire leadership team, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for your dedication and hard work throughout this year. Your contributions have been instrumental in our success, and we are deeply grateful to have you on our team. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year.
2
Formal — Year-End Reflection
As the holiday season approaches, we pause to reflect on everything we have accomplished together this year. None of it would have been possible without your talent, commitment, and professionalism. Please accept our warmest wishes for a restful and joyful holiday season — we look forward to achieving great things together in the year ahead.
3
Formal — HR Department
This holiday season, we want to express our sincere appreciation for the professionalism and dedication you bring to your role every single day. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and they have made a measurable difference to our organization. Wishing you a peaceful holiday and a fulfilling New Year.
4
Formal — CEO to Team
As we close out another remarkable year, I am proud of the resilience, creativity, and teamwork that have defined our organization. Thank you for your unwavering commitment — it is the foundation of everything we build. I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with health, happiness, and continued success.
5
Formal — Short Version
Season's greetings from our leadership team. Your dedication and hard work throughout the year have been truly appreciated. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday season. Thank you for being a valued member of our team.
Warm & Heartfelt Holiday Messages (6–10)
These work well for manager-to-team communications, small business owners, or any leader who wants to strike a more personal, human tone. They feel genuine without being overly casual.
6
Warm & Heartfelt
I just want to take a moment to tell you how much your hard work, positive attitude, and dependability mean to me and to this team. The holidays are a time to rest and recharge — and you have more than earned it. Wishing you and your family a warm, joyful holiday season filled with everything that makes this time of year special.
7
Warm & Heartfelt
You are not recognized enough for all you do, and the holiday season feels like the right moment to change that. Your work, your thoughtfulness, and the unique energy you bring to this team make a real difference every single day. Have a wonderful holiday — you deserve every good thing that comes with it.
8
Warm & Heartfelt
Looking back on this year, what I'm most grateful for is the people I get to work with — and that absolutely includes you. Thank you for showing up, for giving your best, and for making our workplace a better place to be. Wishing you and your family a holiday season full of warmth, laughter, and cherished memories.
9
Warm — Paired with a Gift
Your energy, creativity, and dedication are a genuine gift to this company all year long. Please enjoy this small token of our appreciation — it doesn't fully capture how grateful we are, but we hope it brings a little extra joy to your holiday season. Happy Holidays to you and everyone you hold dear.
10
Warm — Small Team
Being part of this team is one of the things I'm most grateful for this year. Each of you brings something irreplaceable to the table, and I want you to head into this holiday season knowing that your effort and care truly matter. Enjoy every moment of this well-earned break. Happy Holidays!
💡 Pro Tip: Add One Personal Line
Even the best template lands harder when you add one specific detail — a project name, a challenge your team overcame, or a simple acknowledgment of someone's personality. One sentence of personalization can transform a good message into an unforgettable one.
Lighthearted & Fun Holiday Messages (11–13)
For teams with a casual culture or managers who lead with humor and energy, these messages bring a smile without sacrificing the sincere appreciation underneath.
11
Lighthearted
Another year of working with the best team around — somehow, you all managed to make deadlines AND bring good vibes to every meeting. That's a rare skill. Go enjoy every cookie, every cozy moment, and every lazy morning this holiday season has to offer. You've absolutely earned it. Happy Holidays!
12
Lighthearted
May your holiday plans be as perfect as your work — and may your inbox stay quieter than it has any right to be. Seriously though, thank you for everything you do. This team wouldn't be the same without you. Wishing you a season filled with joy, laughter, and maybe a few too many holiday cookies.
13
Lighthearted — Slack / Text
Officially declaring the holiday season open for this crew 🎉. You crushed it this year, and now it's time to turn on the out-of-office, ignore your notifications, and eat your body weight in whatever your favorite holiday food is. Big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy Holidays, team!
Holiday Messages for Remote & Hybrid Teams (14–16)
Remote and hybrid employees can feel distant from the seasonal energy of an office. These messages explicitly acknowledge that distance — and make clear that geography doesn't diminish recognition.
14
Remote Teams
Distance has never stopped this team from doing great work together, and this holiday season, I want to make sure you know how much you're appreciated no matter where you're logging in from. Your dedication and adaptability have made a real impact this year. Wishing you a peaceful, well-deserved break. Happy Holidays from the whole team!
15
Remote Teams
Whether you're celebrating from home, across the country, or on the other side of the world, please know that you are a valued and deeply appreciated member of this team. The holidays are a time to rest and reconnect with those you love. Thank you for everything you've brought to the team this year — enjoy every moment of the break.
16
Hybrid Team
This year has shown just how capable this team is — whether working side by side or across time zones. Thank you for the flexibility, the collaboration, and the commitment, both from home and in the office. As you head into the holiday season, I hope you find the rest and joy you've earned. Warmest wishes to you and your family.
Inclusive Holiday Greetings for Diverse Teams (17–18)
In a diverse workplace, inclusive messaging isn't just good HR practice — it's good leadership. These messages honor the full range of holidays your team may observe, from Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, Diwali, and beyond.
17
Inclusive
As we enter this season of celebration, we want to extend our warmest wishes to each of you — however you observe the holidays, and whatever this time of year means to you personally. Your diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and traditions make our team richer and stronger. May this season bring you joy, peace, and time with the people who matter most.
18
Inclusive — Concise
Happy Holidays to our amazing team! Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or simply welcoming the winter break — we hope this season brings you exactly what you need: rest, connection, and joy. Thank you for the unique gift you bring to this workplace every day.
New Year-Focused Holiday Messages (19–20)
Want to combine seasonal gratitude with forward momentum? These messages blend holiday warmth with an energizing look ahead — perfect for leaders who want to close the year and open the next one with intention.
19
New Year Focus
As we say goodbye to this year and welcome a new one, I'm filled with gratitude for what we've built together and excitement for what comes next. Your hard work has laid an incredible foundation, and I can't wait to see what we accomplish in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful holiday season, a restful break, and a New Year full of possibility.
20
New Year Focus — Short
This holiday season, take the time to rest, recharge, and celebrate — because the best is absolutely still ahead. Thank you for a phenomenal year. Wishing you and everyone you love a wonderful holiday season and a New Year that delivers everything you're hoping for. See you on the other side, refreshed and ready!
How to Write the Perfect Holiday Message to Employees
The 20 messages above are ready to use right out of the box — but the best holiday messages feel personal. Here's what separates a generic greeting from one your employees will actually remember.
✅ Do This
Reference specific achievements or projects from the year
Acknowledge challenges the team navigated together
Use inclusive language ("holiday season" vs. assuming one holiday)
Keep it human — avoid overly corporate-sounding language
Pair the message with a gift for maximum impact
Send it a day or two before the holiday break begins
❌ Avoid This
Generic templates with zero personalization
Promises about the new year that feel hollow
Mixing appreciation with performance feedback
Sending so late it arrives after people log off
Assuming everyone celebrates the same holiday
Messages that are clearly mass mail-merges
Choosing the Right Format
Your message format matters as much as the words. A company-wide email works well for large organizations, but can feel impersonal in small teams. A quick Slack message fits casual, fast-moving cultures. A handwritten card alongside a physical gift signals exceptional care. And for remote teams who rarely see leadership face-to-face, a short personal video message can be extraordinarily powerful.
Celebrating the Holidays — and the Power of Pairing a Gift
A well-crafted holiday message to employees is powerful on its own. But when you pair it with a meaningful gesture — a gift, a party, an experience — you create a dual-impact moment that employees remember long after the season ends. Research consistently shows that tangible recognition alongside a heartfelt message significantly amplifies the emotional impact of your appreciation.
🎉 Holiday Office Celebration Ideas
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to bring your team together and mark the close of a long year. Consider setting up a festive recognition wall where team members post appreciation notes for colleagues, or hosting a lighthearted awards ceremony with fun categories like "Most Helpful Elf" or "Best Virtual Background." Classic games — trivia, white elephant exchanges — encourage interaction between colleagues who might not typically cross paths, which research shows drives workplace connection.
🎁 Employee Gift Ideas That Make an Impact
🎯
Let-Them-Choose Gifting
Platforms like Corporate Traditions let employees pick their own gift with no fees or hassle — the perfect solution for business owners and HR teams who want every employee to feel seen as an individual.
☕
Cozy Gift Sets
Curated sets with mugs, blankets, candles, and snacks are perennial favorites. Customizable and logo-branded options feel premium without a premium price tag — great for in-person or remote delivery.
💳
Digital Gift Cards
Flexible, instantly deliverable, and universally loved. Pair a digital card with one of the heartfelt messages above for a high-impact combination that works equally well for remote and in-office employees.
🌟
Experiential Gifts
Concert tickets, spa vouchers, and cooking classes are increasingly popular among employees who value memories over material goods — especially effective for high performers deserving extra recognition.
🎁 Spotlight: Corporate Traditions
Corporate Traditions is a no-fee employee gifting platform that makes holiday gifting simple for business owners and HR teams. Staff choose their own gifts from a curated selection — eliminating the guesswork entirely. It works for holidays, work anniversaries, and employee rewards year-round. Pair one of the messages above with a Corporate Traditions gift link for an effortless, deeply appreciated year-end recognition moment.
Plan Early — Logistics Matter
The golden rule of holiday gifting: start early. Shipping delays, inventory shortages, and last-minute scrambles are the enemy of thoughtful gifting. Most experts recommend finalizing your employee gift strategy by early November. For large teams, bulk purchasing platforms with direct-to-employee shipping remove the logistical burden from your HR team entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a holiday message to employees include? +
A great holiday message should include a genuine expression of gratitude for the employee's contributions throughout the year, a warm personal wish for the holiday season, and ideally a brief forward-looking note about the year ahead. Avoid making it feel like a performance review — this is a moment of warmth, not evaluation.
How long should a holiday message to employees be? +
For most situations, 3–5 sentences is the sweet spot — long enough to feel sincere, short enough to respect your employees' time. For company-wide emails from a CEO, two to three short paragraphs is appropriate. For Slack or team chat, two to three sentences is ideal.
Is it better to say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" to employees? +
"Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" is almost always the better choice in a professional context, because it is inclusive of all employees regardless of their faith, background, or traditions. If you know for certain that your entire team celebrates Christmas, "Merry Christmas" is fine — but when in doubt, choose inclusive language.
When should I send a holiday message to employees? +
Send your message at least one to two days before your team's last working day before the holiday break. Sending it on the final day risks it being missed in the pre-holiday rush. For large company-wide announcements, the week before the break is ideal.
Should I pair a holiday message with a gift? +
Whenever possible, yes. Research shows that pairing a thoughtful message with a tangible gift creates far stronger impact on employee engagement and morale than either gesture alone. Even small gifts — a digital gift card, a company gift box, or a let-them-choose option via Corporate Traditions — significantly amplify the appreciation your words convey.
Can I use these messages for a card or printed note? +
Absolutely. All 20 messages above work across formats — email, Slack, printed card, handwritten note, or a message attached to a gift. For a handwritten card, use one of the shorter messages (like #5, #13, or #18) and add one personal line specific to the recipient.