How to say merry Christmas in Dutch.
The phrases Dutch speakers actually use — not a dictionary line — with what each means and who it is for, plus full messages by a native speaker you can send as a card in Dutch in a minute.
“Fijne kerstdagen!” means “Have a nice Christmas (days)!” and is what Dutch speakers say. “Prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuwjaar!” (“Pleasant Christmas and a happy New Year!”) is the warmer version. The everyday wish — note the plural: the Dutch celebrate two Christmas days.
The Dutch phrases, and when each one fits
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
- Fijne kerstdagen! — “Have a nice Christmas (days)!”. The everyday wish — note the plural: the Dutch celebrate two Christmas days.
- Prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuwjaar! — “Pleasant Christmas and a happy New Year!”. The classic card line, covering both holidays in one.
- Vrolijk kerstfeest! — “Merry Christmas!”. Cheerful and a touch old-fashioned; nice in a family card.
- Fijne feestdagen! — “Happy holidays!”. Neutral — colleagues, clients, anyone who may not celebrate Christmas.
- Geniet van de feestdagen! — “Enjoy the holidays!”. Warm and informal, for friends.
- De beste wensen voor het nieuwe jaar! — “Best wishes for the new year!”. If the card arrives late December, this carries it into January.
Christmas messages in Dutch, written for the person
Full messages by a native speaker — pick the person and send one as a card, in their language.
Three Dutch messages to start from
Hartelijk dank voor het vertrouwen en de prettige samenwerking in het afgelopen jaar. Wij wensen u fijne kerstdagen en een gezond en voorspoedig nieuw jaar.
Fijne kerstdagen! Bedankt voor een jaar vol goede samenwerking, slechte koffie en nog betere grappen. Geniet van de rust.
Fijne kerst van ver weg! Ik ben erbij bij de videocall, de kerstquiz en in gedachten bij elk stukje kerststol.
Questions people ask
Can I mix English and Dutch in one card?
Yes — and natives find it charming. Open with the Dutch phrase, write your real message in English, and sign off in Dutch (Liefs, or Veel liefs,). The effort is the point.
How do I sign off a Dutch card?
Liefs, · Veel liefs, · Dikke knuffel, · Groetjes, · Hartelijke groet, — from warmest to most neutral. Family and close friends get the first two; colleagues the last.
Will the card itself be in Dutch?
Yes. Our Nederlands builder is a full translation, with example messages written by native speakers, and your recipient opens the card in Dutch.
Christmas wishes in other languages
Send it in Dutch — free.
A real card, in their language, in about a minute. No account, no watermark.