How to say merry Christmas in French to your grandparents.
Not a dictionary line: the phrases French speakers use for your grandparents, what each means, and 6 complete messages by a native speaker — each one a tap away from a card in French.
“Joyeux Noël !” (“Merry Christmas!”) is the line, and for your grandparents “Joyeux Noël et bonne année !” (“Merry Christmas and happy New Year!”) adds warmth. Below: 6 full christmas messages for your grandparents, written by a French speaker.
Mamie, Papi, joyeux Noël ! Chez vous, Noël commence vraiment. À très vite, on arrive.
Christmas messages in French for your grandparents
Une carte de Noël pour ses grands-parents peut être douce et sans hâte. Cite les choses qu'eux seuls font — les sablés, le conte de Noël, le fauteuil près de la fenêtre — et dis que tu viens.
Mamie, Papi, joyeux Noël ! Chez vous, Noël commence vraiment. À très vite, on arrive.
Joyeux Noël aux deux personnes qui ont inventé toutes les traditions de Noël de notre famille. On vous aime.
Joyeux Noël, Mamie et Papi ! Merci pour tous les Noëls d'avant — chacun est un trésor.
Mamie, Papi, je vous souhaite un Noël tout chaud, plein de visites, de sablés et de toute l'attention que vous méritez.
Joyeux Noël ! Personne ne fait Noël — ni l'amour — comme vous deux. Gros câlin de nous tous.
Joyeux Noël, Mamie et Papi. Gardez-moi une place près du poêle, on arrive tout de suite.
The French phrases, and when each one fits
French uses 'tu' with family and friends and 'vous' with colleagues you are not close to, clients and anyone older you do not know well. Many workplaces are 'tu' between peers and 'vous' upwards — when in doubt, 'vous' is never rude.
- Joyeux Noël ! — “Merry Christmas!”. The one everybody says.
- Joyeux Noël et bonne année ! — “Merry Christmas and happy New Year!”. The classic card line.
- Joyeuses fêtes ! — “Happy holidays!”. Neutral — colleagues, clients.
- Passez de belles fêtes en famille. — “Have beautiful holidays with the family.”. 'Passez' is formal/plural; 'passe' for one close person.
- Meilleurs vœux ! — “Best wishes!”. The New Year card line — the French send these well into January.
- Que la magie de Noël vous accompagne. — “May the magic of Christmas be with you.”. A warmer, slightly literary closing line.
Questions people ask
Can I write to your grandparents in English with a French opening?
Yes — open with “Joyeux Noël !”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in French: Je t'embrasse, or Bisous,. For your grandparents the effort lands harder than the grammar.
Formal or informal for your grandparents?
French uses 'tu' with family and friends and 'vous' with colleagues you are not close to, clients and anyone older you do not know well. Many workplaces are 'tu' between peers and 'vous' upwards — when in doubt, 'vous' is never rude.
How do I sign off?
Je t'embrasse, · Bisous, · Avec toute mon affection, · Amicalement, · Bien à vous, — warmest first.
More for Grandparents, and other languages
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