How to say merry Christmas in German.
The phrases German 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 German in a minute.
“Frohe Weihnachten!” means “Merry Christmas!” and is what German speakers say. “Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!” (“Merry Christmas and a good New Year!”) is the warmer version. The one everybody says.
The German phrases, and when each one fits
German keeps a real distance between 'du' (family, friends, most colleagues you know) and 'Sie' (clients, senior people, anyone who addresses you as Sie). On a card, match whatever they use with you.
- Frohe Weihnachten! — “Merry Christmas!”. The one everybody says.
- Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr! — “Merry Christmas and a good New Year!”. The classic card line.
- Besinnliche Feiertage! — “Reflective (peaceful) holidays!”. Quieter and very German — for someone who likes a calm Christmas.
- Schöne Feiertage! — “Happy holidays!”. Neutral — colleagues, clients.
- Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! — “A good slide into the new year!”. Said in the last days of December; everyone smiles at it.
- Frohes Fest! — “Happy feast!”. Short, warm, works for Christmas without naming it.
Christmas messages in German, written for the person
Full messages by a native speaker — pick the person and send one as a card, in their language.
Three German messages to start from
Herzlichen Dank für Ihr Vertrauen und die gute Zusammenarbeit im vergangenen Jahr. Wir wünschen Ihnen frohe Weihnachten und ein gesundes, erfolgreiches neues Jahr.
Frohe Weihnachten! Danke für ein Jahr voller guter Zusammenarbeit, schlechtem Kaffee und noch besseren Witzen. Genieß die Ruhe.
Frohe Weihnachten aus der Ferne! Beim Videoanruf bin ich dabei, beim Weihnachtsquiz auch — und in Gedanken bei jedem einzelnen Plätzchen.
Questions people ask
Can I mix English and German in one card?
Yes — and natives find it charming. Open with the German phrase, write your real message in English, and sign off in German (Alles Liebe, or Liebe Grüße,). The effort is the point.
How do I sign off a German card?
Alles Liebe, · Liebe Grüße, · Herzliche Grüße, · Dein / Deine … · Mit den besten Wünschen, — from warmest to most neutral. Family and close friends get the first two; colleagues the last.
Will the card itself be in German?
Yes. Our Deutsch builder is a full translation, with example messages written by native speakers, and your recipient opens the card in German.
Christmas wishes in other languages
Send it in German — free.
A real card, in their language, in about a minute. No account, no watermark.