Should You Use an Apostrophe in Your Last Name on a Christmas Card?
(Spoiler: Nope! But Here's What to Do Instead.)
Ah, the holiday season. A time for decking the halls, sipping cocoa, and… stressing over apostrophes? Yep, we’ve all been there—staring at your personalized Christmas card and wondering:
- Is it “Merry Christmas from the Smiths” or “Merry Christmas from the Smith’s”?
- Do I need an apostrophe after my last name?
- How do I write my family name on a Christmas card?
- What if our last name ends in an “s”?
We’re here to clear it up once and for all with some helpful, easy-to-understand grammar advice and plenty of examples. Trust us — it’s way simpler than you think.
Featured Christmas Card: Sweet and Simple
First Things First: Never Use an Apostrophe to Pluralize Your Last Name
Let’s get this out of the way: you don’t need an apostrophe in your last name on a Christmas card.
An apostrophe shows possession, not plurality. When you sign your holiday card, you're usually signing it from your whole family — not showing that something belongs to your family. That means no apostrophe is needed.
Correct:
- Merry Christmas from the Smiths
- Love, the Joneses
- Warm wishes from the Garcias
Incorrect:
- Merry Christmas from the Smith’s
- Love, the Jones’s
- Warm wishes from the Garcia’s
Unless you’re trying to say, “This is the Smith’s dog” or “the Garcia’s house,” you should skip the apostrophe.
How to Write Your Last Name on a Christmas Card
Wondering exactly how to pluralize your last name? Follow these easy rules:
For most names, just add –s:
- The Parkers
- The Thompsons
- The Millers
If your name ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh, add –es:
- The Joneses
- The Foxes
- The Marches
- The Bushes
- The Alvarezes
Yep, Jones becomes Joneses, not Jones’.
If your name ends in y, just add an s (no changing to “ies”):
- The Murphys
- The Dalys
What If You Want to Avoid the Grammar Altogether?
Good news — you can totally sidestep the pluralization game and still have a gorgeous, grammatically correct Christmas card. Here’s how:
Use “The [Last Name] Family” instead:
- The Smith Family
- The Garcia Family
- The O’Connor Family
Add your first names:
- With love, Sarah, Jake, & Lily
- Merry Christmas from Emma & Chris
These are great options if your last name is tricky to pluralize—or if you just want to keep it casual.
More Examples: Last Names, the Right Way
Here’s a quick-reference list of correct plural forms for various last names. Bookmark it for next time you’re personalizing a card!
Smith: The Smiths
Davis: The Davises
Cruz: The Cruzes
Murphy: The Murphys
Jones: The The Joneses
Fox: The Foxes
Walsh: The Walshes
Lee: The Lees
Torres: The Torreses
So...Why Do So Many People Use Apostrophes?
Honestly? It’s easy to mix things up — especially during the holidays, when your brain is juggling gifts, cookies, and school concerts.
People often associate apostrophes with formal names, but the grammar rules are clear:
Only use an apostrophe when you’re showing possession. That’s it!
Holiday cards aren't about possession. They’re about who the card is from, not what the family owns.
How to Make Sure Your Christmas Card is Personalized Correctly
Ordering your holiday cards online? Many sites (like Pear Tree) allow you to fully customize your text. But that means the grammar is up to you.
Before you hit “order,” double-check the spelling and pluralization of your name. And if you’re unsure how your name should be formatted, use our cheat sheet above — or play it safe with “The [Last Name] Family.”
Bonus Tip: Make it Match the Tone of Your Card
Your Christmas card sign-off should reflect the tone of your card. If you’re sending a funny card with a photo of your kids covered in sand and tinsel, you can keep it light:
- Love from the Santas-in-Training - The Parkers!
- Warm wishes from your favorite weirdos, The Thompsons
For a classic, elegant card, go traditional:
- With love, The Fitzgerald Family
- Merry Christmas from The Kennedys
Either way, skip the apostrophe and you’re golden.
Final Thoughts: Say It Loud and Say It Right
Let’s put it in plain holiday terms:
Apostrophes = Naughty
Correct plurals = Nice
If you’ve been accidentally sending cards from “The Smith’s” all these years, don’t stress — you’re not alone. But this year? You’ve got it right.
So grab your family photo, pick your favorite holiday card design, and sign it like a pro — no apostrophe needed.
