62 Ideas for Thoughtful Holiday Messages to Employees

As the 2025 holiday season approaches, many organizations are looking for meaningful ways to celebrate their teams and bring a little extra warmth into the workplace. Holiday moments, big and small, are an opportunity to pause, reflect, and let your employees know how much they matter. 

While there are countless ways to build morale this time of year, one of the most impactful is pairing a thoughtful holiday gift with an equally meaningful message. In fact, our 2025 Holiday Gifting Report found that 82% of employees say that receiving a personal note alongside a gift makes the gesture significantly more meaningful. 

Words matter, and during the holidays, they matter even more. 

Why holiday messages for employees matter

The holidays offer a natural moment to express appreciation for the people who help your organization thrive. A sincere holiday message can reinforce connection, boost engagement, and strengthen the sense of belonging, no small thing for teams navigating busy schedules and year-end goals. 

Even if you have already found the perfect gift, it can be challenging to find the right words to say alongside the gift. You want to strike the perfect balance between being relevant to your entire workforce while also feeling personal and genuine.

To help you out, this article offers 13 ideas for unique holiday messages and quotes sure to help you connect with your employees in a more meaningful way. 

Employee holiday greetings for every occasion

For organizations with large or distributed teams, striking the balance between personal and universally relevant wording can be tricky. To help you navigate it, we’ve gathered holiday greetings for a wide range of celebrations. This list includes examples from various cultures and traditions, though it is not exhaustive. Please reach out if there are other holidays you’d like us to include. 

Consider this your starting point, or feel free to use these messages word for word. 

Happy Thanksgiving Message

Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday centered on gratitude, togetherness, and kicking off the holiday season. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, it’s a time when many people gather with family and friends, share a meal, and take time together to reflect on what they’re thankful for. For many, the long weekend is a moment to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time with loved ones. 

This is an opportunity to mark the day while recognizing the teams whose work powers your organization

Thanksgiving messages for your team

• Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good food, good company, and well-deserved relaxation. We’re incredibly thankful to have you on the team. 
• Happy Thanksgiving! As we look back on what we are thankful for this year, we want to celebrate your contributions and the impact you made across the organization. 
• Wishing you and your loved ones a restful and happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for everything you contribute. Our team is stronger because of you. 
• Happy Thanksgiving! Hope the long weekend brings you a chance to unwind with friends and family. We’re so grateful to all that you do. 

Happy Hanukkah Wishes

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, will be celebrated this year from December 4-12, 2025. The holiday is marked by lighting candles on the menorah for eight nights, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying traditions that bring light into the winter season

Holiday messages to employees for Hanukkah

• Wishing you a bright and happy Hanukkah. 
• May the Festival of Lights bring warmth and happiness to you and your family. 
• Happy Hanukkah. We hope this season brings you peace, light, and time to celebrate with the people you love. 
• Wishing you a bright and joyful Hanukkah. May each night bring joy and light your way. 
• Happy Hanukkah! Hope the season is filled with warmth, sweet moments, and joy. 

Employee Christmas Message

While sending Merry Christmas wishes to employees seems simple enough, it's 2025, and inclusivity has become a huge consideration in most workplaces. With many winter holidays occurring in December, we recommend choosing a holiday message that makes all of your employees feel like they belong. For this reason, try and avoid direct Christmas messages to employees; instead, send more general seasonal ones. 

Below, we offer several seasonal holiday greetings that you can comfortably send to your entire workforce instead of the Christmas employee message you initially thought of sending.

Winter holiday messages to employees 

• We are so grateful for all of the energy you put in every day to help us reach our goals. We are so grateful to have you as a member of the team. Have a happy holiday season!
• A warm thank you for helping us reach new heights this year. Wishing you a joyful and warm holiday season!
• Thank you for making this year one of the merriest ones yet. Have a joyful, happy holiday!
• Sending you warm wishes for the holiday season ahead. Enjoy this time with friends and family! 
• During this special time of year, we want you to know how much we value you. May your holiday season be filled with warmth and joy.
• Thank you for being a part of our team. We hope your holiday season and the year ahead are full of health and happiness!
• Wishing you a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season.

Kwanzaa Greeting

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 and honors African American culture, community, and shared values. Each of the seven days focuses on a guiding principle – like unity, purpose, and creativity – and families celebrate by lighting candles, gathering together, and sharing a festive meal. 

Holiday messages to employees for Kwanzaa

• Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Kwanzaa and a bright start to the new year. 
• Happy Kwanzaa! May the holiday bring you peace, connection, and joy. 
• Warm wishes for a meaningful Kwanzaa filled with celebration, reflection, and time with family. 
• Wishing you a bright and meaningful Kwanzaa. May each day bring inspiration and joy. 

New Year 

Unlike many holidays, the New Year is a universal occasion. A time when we can all look forward to the year ahead, fresh starts, and new adventures. 

New Year Message for Employees

• Thank you so much for a great year. We hope you have a joyous holiday season. See you in 2026!
• Your energy, collaboration, and support have been shining lights this year. Here's to 2026!
• You have been such an important part of our team this year. Here's to a wonderful next year, too!
• Happy holidays! May you reach all of your goals and dreams in 2026.
• This past year has been so exciting and special, as you've helped make this company what it is. Cheers to an even better year in 2026. Happy holidays!

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. In 2026, it will be celebrated on February 17th, and marked with a 15-day festival observed by Chinese communities around the world.

The holiday is rich with tradition, from firecrackers and red envelopes to spring cleaning rituals meant to welcome good fortune. Red is the defining color of the celebration, and the dragon is a powerful symbol of luck and prosperity. 

If any of your employees celebrate Chinese New Year, sending a thoughtful greeting is a meaningful way to show recognition and care. 

Holiday message to employees for the Chinese New Year

• Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you and your family a year filled with good health, prosperity, and new opportunities. 
• Warmest wishes for a happy Chinese New Year. May this season bring you renewal, happiness, and moments of celebration with loved ones. 
• Happy Lunar  New Year! May the year ahead be filled with strength, prosperity, and bright beginnings. 
• Wishing you a joyful Chinese New Year. Thank you for your dedication and collaboration. May this new year bring you abundance and good fortune. 
• May the new year bring you joy, resilience, and opportunities that light the path ahead. We’re honored to celebrate this season with you. 

Ramadan

Ramadan is a sacred month observed by Muslims around the world, centered on reflection, community, and spiritual renewal. From February 17th to March 18th, 2026, from sunrise to sunset, many Muslims fast as a way to practice mindfulness, gratitude, and self-discipline. Evenings are filled with iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, often shared with friends and family. 

Below, you’ll find warm wishes and thoughtful messages you can share with employees during Ramadan to recognize this important time and help everyone feel seen and supported.  

Ramadan holiday wishes and messages to employees

• Ramadan Mubarak. Wishing you a meaningful and peaceful month ahead. 
• As Ramadan begins, I hope this month brings you reflection, comfort, and many blessings. 
• Sending warm wishes for Ramadan. May this month bring you strength, balance, and connection. 
• Wishing you a blessed Ramadan. I hope this month brings you clarity, connection, and a sense of peace. 
• Ramadan Mubarak. I hope this month is meaningful and restorative for you and your family. 

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Employee Appreciation Day 

Employee Appreciation Day is a dedicated moment to recognize the people who keep organizations moving forward. Celebrated on March 6, 2026, it’s an opportunity to highlight hard work, express genuine gratitude, and strengthen the sense of connection across your team. Sharing a thoughtful message is a great way to acknowledge employees to help reinforce a positive, supportive workplace culture.

Employee Appreciation Day messages for your team

Happy Employee Appreciation Day. Thank you for everything you do to help our organization thrive. 

• Happy Employee Appreciation Day. Thank you for everything you do to help our organization thrive. 
• Wishing you a wonderful Employee Appreciation Day. We are so grateful for your teamwork, collaboration, and dedication. 
• Thank you for the impact you make every day. You are so appreciated! 
• Happy Employee Appreciation Day. Thank you for bringing your best every day.  We are so lucky to have you on our team.  

Nowruz

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, falls on March 20th, 2026, and marks the first day of spring. It’s a big, joyful celebration for people in the Iranian and Persian community worldwide. Families welcome the season with rituals meant to bring good luck, fresh starts, and new energy, from symbolic dances to decorating with things like seeds and eggs to honor new life.  

Here are some messages that you can use to show your employees appreciation for Nowruz this year.

Holiday messages to employees for Nowruz

• On behalf of our company, we'd like to wish you a happy Nowruz. May the spirit of the holiday bring you joy and prosperity.
• Nowruz pirouz! I hope the new year brings you joy, good health, and a fresh start to the season. 
• Sending warm wishes to you and your family for Nowruz. I hope the new year ahead is filled with success and positivity. 
• Nowruz Pirouz! Wishing you a bright and hopeful start to the new year. 
• Wishing you a wonderful Nowruz and a fresh, uplifting start to the new year. 

Easter

Sending Easter greetings to employees who you know celebrate is a thoughtful way to recognize an important moment in their season. Easter in 2026 falls on April 5. 

Below, we share some heartfelt Easter messages you can choose from.

Happy Easter message to employees

• Wishing you a bright and happy Easter. I hope the day brings you time to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.
• Happy Easter! May this day bring you joy and plenty of sunshine. Wishing you a fun, sunny Easter and a beautiful season ahead. 
• Easter is all about hope, love, and joy. Enjoy your day!
• Warmest thoughts to you and your family on this special day. Happy Easter!
• This Easter, we wish you smiles, sunshine, and lots of sweet treats. Have a joyous celebration! 

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year, celebrated at sunset on Friday, September 11, 2026, and ending at nightfall on Sunday, September 13. 

A central part of celebrating Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar, a ram's horn, and eating sweet foods to symbolize specific wishes for the new year. This includes things like apples dipped in honey to symbolize wishes for a sweet new year, a round challah bread to symbolize continuity, pomegranates to celebrate abundance, and more.

Holiday messages to employees for Rosh Hashanah

• Shana tova! May the new year bring you peace, renewal, and meaningful moments with loved ones. 
• Wishing you a sweet and hopeful start to the new year. Shana tova to you and your family. 
• Shana tova! Wishing you and your family a sweet new year ahead. 
• Shana tova umetuka! May you have a blessed new year.
• Wishing you a sweet, prosperous, and healthy Rosh Hashanah! 

Yom Kippur

In Jewish tradition Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, a Day of Atonement from one's sins. Occurring on the 10th day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur is observed through fasting, abstinence, and praying for forgiveness.

Yom Kippur message to employees

• Wishing you strength, peace, and a meaningful day of reflection.
• G'mar chatima tovah from our team to you and your family. May you be showered in blessings.
• Wishing you an easy, fast, and a meaningful time of reflection on this Yom Kippur.

Diwali

Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Indian culture. It will be observed on November 8, 2026, by more than a billion people from different faiths, including Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs in India and globally. Lasting five days, Diwali is the festival of light, celebrating the Hindu new year and the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali is celebrated with several different customs, including house cleaning, decorating, feasts, fireworks, and gift exchanges. One of the most beautiful parts of Diwali is the lights, with oil lamps called diyas lighting up entire neighborhoods and cities. 

To show your Indian employees some recognition this Diwali, here are some thoughtful messages to send.

Happy Diwali message

• Wishing you a bright and joyful Diwali filled with peace and joy. 
• May your Diwali be filled with joy and light.
• Happy Diwali! We hope the light of the festival brightens your day. 
• We hope this Diwali brings joy and happiness to you and your family. 
• Warmest greetings on this joyous occasion of Diwali. 

Other occasions

We've tried to be thorough in this article, including some of the most common holidays your employees likely celebrate. However, there are so many holidays from cultures around the world that we weren't able to touch on here.

It’s important to understand and honor the diverse celebrations your employees observe throughout the year. Whatever the occasion, pairing a unique holiday gift with a meaningful message is a simple, genuine way to show appreciation and make people feel seen. 

How to Write Holiday Messages That Mean Something (and Not Just “Happy Holidays!”)

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Words matter. A lot. The right message can make someone’s day, strengthen connection, or remind an employee that they’re genuinely valued. That’s the power of a simple holiday note, when it’s done well. Here are a few tips to help your messages feel heartfelt, human, and on brand for your company's brand and values. 

‍Make it personal

A great gift with no message can feel a little…empty. The note is what turns a gesture into something memorable. Even if you’re using our universal messages, it’s easy to personalize it to feel like it came straight from you. 

A few quick ways to make your messages more meaningful: 

Use their name: With Snappy’s HRIS integrations, your gift messages can auto-populate each employee’s name. It’s seamless and thoughtful. 

Call out wins: If the message mentions goals or growth, be specific. Highlight something your team accomplished together.  

Tie it to your values: When you’re expressing gratitude, connect it back to the values an employee exemplifies. 

Sprinkle in an inside moment: A light joke or a reference to a shared experience, when appropriate, makes the greeting more personal. 

The more authentic it feels, the more it resonates. 

Want extra help? Snappy’s AI Gifting Assistant not only helps you send the perfect gift, but it will also customize a message for you! 

Go Beyond words

A warm message is powerful. A warm message with a great gift? Even better. 

Gifting at scale is challenging. Snappy is the gifting solution that makes thoughtful gifting seamless. Instead of choosing a “one size fits all” type gift for everyone, you can send a curated collection of gifts, and each employee picks the gift they love most. 

Why Messages Matter (Even When You’re Gifting at Scale)

Sending gifts to dozens, hundreds, or thousands of employees doesn’t have to mean losing the personal touch. Snappy’s platform makes it simple to send meaningful gifts and add individualized messages in just a few clicks. 

Those messages matter more than you think. A personalized note can:

• Show each employee they’re genuinely appreciated
• Strengthen company culture
• Boost happiness and elevate the employee experience
• Support retention by reinforcing recognition 

It’s a small moment with big impact. 

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