Short Christmas Text Messages for Coworkers You Barely Know
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| A Simple Message Is Enough |
Sending a Christmas message to coworkers you barely know can feel surprisingly stressful. You want to be polite, but not too personal. Friendly, but not awkward. Festive, but not inappropriate.
This is a specific but very common situation, especially in large companies, remote teams, and cross-department workplaces. Yet most articles online lump everything under generic “Christmas wishes for coworkers,” which doesn’t solve the real problem.
Why Short and Neutral Messages Work Best at Work
When you don’t know someone well, long or emotional messages can backfire. Short messages work because they are:
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Easy to read
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Low-pressure
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Less likely to cross personal boundaries
Neutral language also matters. Not every coworker celebrates Christmas, and not every workplace culture encourages festive enthusiasm.
A good rule of thumb:
If your message could comfortably be read aloud in a meeting, it’s probably safe.
What Makes a Christmas Message “Professional”
Professional doesn’t mean cold. It means clear, respectful, and appropriate.
A professional holiday message usually:
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Avoids religious references
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Avoids inside jokes
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Uses simple, positive language
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Stays under 20 words
You are not trying to impress. You’re acknowledging the season politely.
Short Christmas Text Messages for Coworkers (Safe Options)
Below are examples you can copy, adapt, or use as inspiration. All are short enough for texts or chat apps and safe for coworkers you barely know.
Very Neutral and Polite
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“Wishing you a relaxing holiday season and a great year ahead.”
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“Best wishes for the holidays and the coming year.”
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“Warm wishes as the year comes to a close.”
Professional but Friendly
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“Hope you enjoy the holidays and have a smooth start to the new year.”
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“Wishing you a restful break and continued success next year.”
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“Happy holidays and all the best for the year ahead.”
Suitable for Slack or Teams
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“Thanks for working together this year. Happy holidays!”
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“Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season.”
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“Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season.”
If You’re Unsure They Celebrate Christmas
This is where many people hesitate. The safest approach is holiday-focused, not Christmas-focused language.
Instead of:
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“Merry Christmas”
Use:
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“Happy holidays”
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“Warm holiday wishes”
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“Best wishes for the year ahead”
These phrases are widely accepted in professional settings and reduce the risk of making assumptions.
Messages for Coworkers in Different Departments
When you rarely interact with someone, the message should be extra simple.
Good examples:
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“Wishing you a nice holiday season.”
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“Best wishes as we wrap up the year.”
Avoid:
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Personal compliments
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References to teamwork if you didn’t actually work together
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Emojis (unless your company culture strongly supports them)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even short messages can feel wrong if they miss the mark. Here are mistakes worth avoiding:
Being too personal
Messages about family, health, or emotions can feel intrusive.
Using humor that doesn’t translate
Jokes often fail across cultures or departments.
Over-celebrating
Too many exclamation points or festive phrases can feel forced.
Writing a mini email in a text
If it doesn’t fit naturally in one or two lines, it’s too long.
When a Short Message Is Better Than No Message
Some people skip holiday messages altogether because they’re unsure what to say. In most workplaces, a short, neutral message is better than silence, especially if others are sending greetings.
It shows:
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Professional courtesy
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Social awareness
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Basic goodwill
And it takes less than a minute.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need the perfect message. You just need a polite, short, and thoughtful one.
When it comes to coworkers you barely know, less really is more. A simple holiday wish shows professionalism and respect without creating discomfort.
If you’re ever unsure, choose neutral language, keep it short, and move on. That’s exactly what most people expect.
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