Holiday Cards for People Who Don't Celebrate Christmas

Not everyone celebrates Christmas — and that's completely okay. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on one of the best parts of the season: sending a card that makes people smile.

Whether you celebrate another holiday, prefer a secular approach, or simply enjoy sharing family updates, there are plenty of ways to participate in the end-of-year tradition without a Christmas tree, Santa, or religious message in sight.

The good news? Today's non-religious Christmas cards, inclusive holiday cards, and secular holiday cards make it easier than ever to send greetings that feel festive, personal, and completely true to you.

So grab your favorite cozy beverage, put on your fluffiest socks, and let's find a holiday card that celebrates your kind of season.

1. Happy Holidays Is Always a Classic

When in doubt, "Happy Holidays" is a friendly, inclusive greeting that works for almost everyone. These types of happy holidays cards focus on togetherness, gratitude, and warm wishes rather than a specific celebration.

How to Say Happy Holidays Instead of Merry Christmas

• Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
• Wishing you peace, joy, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
• However you spend this season, we hope it's filled with love and laughter.
• Sending warm wishes for a joyful holiday season and a bright year ahead.
• Cheers to cozy nights, good friends, and making memories.

A Happy Holidays Card is Great for:

• Families who celebrate multiple holidays
• Interfaith households
• Businesses sending corporate holiday cards
• Anyone looking for an alternative to Christmas cards

2. Show Off Highlights From Your Year

Maybe you don't celebrate Christmas, but you did celebrate a promotion, a marathon finish, a new puppy, a dream vacation, or finally keeping a houseplant alive for more than six months.

Choose a photo collage card to turn your photos into a family highlight reel you can hold in your hands.

Ideas of Highlights to Include

You don’t have to document every month. Instead, think about the biggest moments, accomplishments, and everyday joys that made your year memorable.

Example Highlights for a Family of Four:

the Johnson Family’s favorite highlights!

Angie: Trained for 13.1 miles, baked 52 loaves of bread, drank approximately 1,000 cups of coffee.

Trevor: Built a patio, perfected his grill skills, and remains undefeated at family game night.

Emma (8): Lost two teeth, scored six soccer goals, and read 42 books.

Jack (5): Started kindergarten, convinced us to get a puppy, and still refuses to eat vegetables.

3. Send a Funny Message Instead

Holiday cards don't have to be sentimental! Sometimes the best greeting is the one that earns a laugh. A funny Holiday card works perfectly for families embracing the reality that life isn't always picture-perfect.

Funny Holiday Card Message Ideas

• Professionally winging it since 2026.
• Same family. New chaos.
• This year brought laughter, tears, and approximately 700 loads of laundry.
• We survived another year of group texts.

Funny Cards are Perfect For

Busy parents
Pet owners
Families with teenagers
Anyone who appreciates a little self-deprecating humor

4. Lean Into a Little Sarcasm

Not every holiday card needs to sparkle with relentless cheer. For those who enjoy dry humor, slightly sarcastic greetings can be surprisingly charming.

Sarcastic Holiday Card Messages

• Still thriving-ish.
• Hanging in there and hoping for snacks.
• We laughed. We cried. We paid a lot for groceries.
• Another year older, wiser, and wondering where we left our keys.
• Existing successfully since last holiday season.

These cards are especially popular among younger families and friends who enjoy sharing an inside joke.

5. Create a Year-in-Review Card

If December doesn't feel like Christmas season to you, think of it as the grand finale of your year. Year-in-review cards celebrate accomplishments, adventures, milestones, and everyday moments.

Include Highlights Such As:

• Favorite vacations
• School accomplishments
• Career milestones
• Volunteer work
• New hobbies
• Pets
• Funny family moments

Favorite Wording Ideas for Year in Review Cards:

• What We Loved Most This Year
• Tiny Moments, Big Memories
• Looking Back at 2026
  
• Our Year in Snapshots

Year-in-review cards are some of the most meaningful inclusive holiday cards because they focus on experiences rather than traditions.

6. Design Your Own Card

Still can't find exactly what you're looking for? Create it yourself.

Designing a card in Canva gives you complete control over colors, wording, illustrations, and photos.

Want snowflakes without Santa?

Done.

Prefer stars, candles, winter landscapes, or abstract artwork?

Go for it.

You can even create cards inspired by winter solstice cards, modern typography, or minimalist art prints.

Once your design is finished, simply upload it and have it professionally printed through Pear Tree's DIY Christmas card printing service.

7. Skip the Holidays Entirely and Send a New Year's Card

Who says your greeting has to arrive in December? January deserves a little love too.

Sending happy new year cards allows you to celebrate fresh starts, new goals, and exciting possibilities. A New Year’s card offers a modern alternative to traditional holiday greetings, plus it’s such a fun surprise to get a card post-Christmas!

These new year greeting cards are ideal for:

1. Families who travel during December
2. People who prefer celebrating the new year over the holidays
3. Businesses reconnecting with clients after year-end deadlines
4. Anyone who simply missed the mailing deadline (we've all been there)

New Year Message Ideas

• Cheers to new beginnings!
• New Year Cheer!
• Merry New Year

Celebrate the Season Your Way

You don't need to celebrate Christmas to enjoy sending holiday cards.

Whether you choose happy holidays cards, non-denominational holiday cards, winter holiday cards, or new year greeting cards, the goal remains the same: connecting with people you care about and sharing a little joy at the end of the year.

So if you've ever felt left out of holiday card season, consider this your official invitation back in.

No Christmas required.

Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Cards for People Who Don't Celebrate Christmas

Is it okay to send holiday cards if I don't celebrate Christmas?

Absolutely. Holiday cards have evolved far beyond Christmas-specific greetings. Many people use them to share family updates, celebrate milestones, thank friends for their support, or simply stay connected.

Sending a card is less about observing a particular holiday and more about connecting to the people who matter to you.

What should I say instead of "Merry Christmas" on a card?

There are lots of inclusive alternatives. Popular choices include "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," "Warm Wishes," "Peace and Joy," and "Wishing You a Wonderful Winter Season." You can also skip holiday references entirely and focus on gratitude, family memories, or hopes for the coming year.

Are non-religious Christmas cards becoming more popular?

Yes. Many families today prefer non-religious Christmas cards because they appeal to a wider audience and reflect diverse traditions.

Businesses, interfaith households, and people who simply enjoy secular celebrations often choose cards centered around photos, humor, annual highlights, or New Year's greetings.

Can businesses send holiday cards that don't mention Christmas?

Definitely. In fact, many companies intentionally choose inclusive business holiday cards because clients, customers, and employees may celebrate a variety of traditions. Messages focused on appreciation, gratitude, and good wishes are universally well received and often feel more personal than generic corporate greetings.

What are some creative alternatives to Christmas cards?

Year-in-review cards, family newsletters, photo collages, funny cards, New Year's cards, and custom Canva designs all make excellent alternatives. Some people even create cards inspired by winter themes, favorite hobbies, travel adventures, or beloved pets.

Do New Year's cards count as holiday cards?

Absolutely. Many people consider happy new year cards to be one of the best alternatives to Christmas cards. They give you more time to gather photos, write thoughtful messages, and celebrate the excitement of starting a new chapter.