Designing the Perfect Company Holiday Card: Tips for 2025

Start with your existing brand colors as the foundation, then add one seasonal accent color for a festive touch. This approach maintains brand recognition while signaling holiday cheer. Consider pairing your corporate blues with warm gold, or your signature green with rich burgundy.

The key is restraint. For example, if your company uses navy blue and gray, try pairing them with Mocha Mousse, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2025, for a sophisticated twist that feels both current and appropriately cozy for the festive season.

Keep your message short, sincere, and true to your brand voice. Whether your company communication style is formal, playful, or somewhere in between, your holiday card should feel authentically you. (For ideas for how to do just that, check out our full guide to corporate holiday card greetings!)

Try playful wordplay that fits your brand personality."We're snow grateful for clients like you!" works for casual brands, while "Wishing you success in the year ahead" suits more formal companies. Let that intention guide your tone and word choice, ensuring every phrase reinforces your company's personality and values.

Think of your card as a conversation starter about your business rather than a direct advertisement. When branding feels integrated and tasteful, recipients are more likely to keep your card displayed, extending your brand visibility throughout the season.

Feature your logo subtly, allowing festive elements to shine alongside your branding rather than competing with it. The goal is recognition without overwhelming the holiday spirit. Try placing your logo in the bottom corner or as a subtle watermark rather than dominating the front.

Classic stripes add energy and structure to your card design, creating visual movement that draws the eye. This pattern works across industries and brand personalities: thin pinstripes communicate elegance, bold candy cane stripes deliver playful impact, and diagonal stripes feel particularly dynamic and modern compared to traditional horizontal ones.

Pro Tip: This pattern particularly shines when used as borders, backgrounds, or incorporated into typography treatments. You can even try striped lettering for your company name.

Gingham brings a cozy, nostalgic vibe to your holiday greeting, evoking feelings of comfort and tradition—perfect for family businesses or community-focused brands. Use gingham as a subtle background texture or incorporate it into design elements like ribbons or borders. Red and white gingham paired creates an instant farmhouse Christmas feel that's incredibly on-trend.

A square card stands out in a stack of traditional rectangles and feels distinctly modern. The format works particularly well for minimalist designs or when you want your message to feel like a personal note rather than formal correspondence. Plus, square cards are Instagram-perfect if recipients want to share your thoughtful gesture on social media.

Frames can be subtle design elements or bold statement pieces, depending on your brand personality. Borders help organize information and guide the reader's eye, which is why this style works especially well for companies wanting to convey established expertise or attention to detail—think law firms, financial services, or luxury brands.

Printed or real ribbons evoke the feeling of a gift and add a playful detail that recipients will notice. This element immediately signals celebration and generosity, making your card feel like a present rather than just correspondence.

Consider using ribbons in your brand colors or metallic accents that complement your color scheme. You can also try a velvet ribbon tied around a folded card for an ultra-luxe touch, or print ribbon graphics in metallic ink for budget-friendly sparkle.

Botanical illustrations soften corporate messaging while conveying growth, renewal, and timeless beauty. Choose botanical elements that reflect your brand personality—delicate line drawings for elegance, bold leaves for energy, or vintage-inspired florals for established tradition. Winter eucalyptus and pine branches are particularly trending this year for their elegant, understated appeal.

Block print patterns work well in both traditional holiday colors and unexpected modern palettes like sage green and terracotta, offering versatility across brand personalities. This technique creates unique textures and slight imperfections that feel human-made rather than mass-produced.

Use block print elements as backgrounds, borders, or focal design features. Woodcut-style snowflakes or geometric patterns work particularly well for modern brands wanting to add artisanal appeal.

Mixing fonts adds energy and personality to your holiday message, creating visual hierarchy and interest. Try pairing a classic serif like Times New Roman for your main message with a playful script for "Happy Holidays," or combine clean sans-serif fonts with decorative display types for maximum impact. (Just ensure your font combinations reflect your brand personality and maintain readability!)

Thank clients for their partnership and share excitement for future collaboration. Focus on appreciation rather than sales, acknowledging specific achievements or milestones you've shared throughout the year. Try something like: "Thank you for trusting us with your biggest launch yet. Here's to even more success in 2026!"

Consider mentioning specific projects or successes when possible, showing that you remember and value their individual partnership. The goal is to make each client feel seen and appreciated as more than just a business relationship.

Your employees made your year possible—don't let them forget it. This internal audience craves recognition and optimism about what's ahead, so celebrate specific wins and express genuine gratitude for their hard work.

Team photos or behind-the-scenes imagery work particularly well here, turning your card into a culture-celebrating keepsake they'll actually want to keep on their desk. Include a small gift card or company swag with employee cards. Even a $10 coffee card shows thoughtfulness beyond words and gives them a tangible reminder of your appreciation.

Business partnerships are built on mutual wins, and your holiday card should celebrate that teamwork. Focus on shared accomplishments and future collaboration opportunities rather than one-sided thank-yous. Consider co-branded cards featuring both logos when the relationship is particularly significant, and reference specific joint successes while expressing genuine enthusiasm for what you'll tackle together next year. The tone should feel collegial and forward-thinking, like you're toasting a successful year between equals.

Nothing beats the power of a personal note to make your company holiday card feel genuinely meaningful. People are more likely to remember a personalized message compared to a generic one.

Even a simple handwritten "Thank you for a great year, Sarah!" shows individual attention and care. Use a high-quality gel pen in blue or black ink and avoid ballpoint pens that can look cheap or skip on quality cardstock. But don’t get too hung up on perfect penmanship. After all, it’s the imperfection of handwriting that actually adds to its charm.

Signing each card adds authenticity and warmth, transforming mass communication into personal correspondence. Whether from the CEO, account managers, or relevant team members, signatures create individual accountability and connection. Consider having multiple team members sign cards for clients they work with directly, reinforcing your team-based service approach while adding personal touches.

Pro Tip: Sign with the same pen you use for the handwritten note to maintain visual consistency.

Nothing says "we're real people who care" quite like a team photo holiday card, showing the real people behind your business services. This approach works particularly well for service-based businesses where relationships matter more than products. Skip the stiff conference room shots—try outdoor photos with seasonal elements or candid shots from your holiday party for genuine warmth. Consider candid shots from company events or professional photos that capture your team's personality rather than forced corporate poses.

Patterned or foil liners add a pop of color and surprise when the envelope is opened, creating anticipation before the card is even revealed. This unexpected detail shows thoughtfulness and creates a premium unboxing experience. Consider liners in your brand colors or seasonal metallics that enhance your overall color story.

Wax seals create a classic, tactile experience that suggests importance and formality. This traditional touch adds gravitas to your message while creating a satisfying opening ritual for recipients. Consider custom seals with your company logo or initials for maximum brand impact. Deep red or forest green wax feels appropriately festive, while gold or silver works for more elegant brands.

Custom return address stamps and themed postage add personality and polish to your mailing, showing attention to every detail of the recipient experience. These touches create cohesive branding from envelope to card interior. USPS releases special holiday stamps each year, and the 2025 collection features vintage ornaments that pair beautifully with traditional designs.

Start with your existing brand palette and add one seasonal accent color that complements your core colors. If your brand uses navy and gray, try adding a warm gold or deep green for holiday flair without losing your professional identity. The key is maintaining brand recognition while giving your card that festive touch that makes it feel appropriate for the season.

Keep your logo and company name prominent, but soften your usual corporate look with seasonal elements like botanical illustrations or playful typography. Your brand should still be instantly recognizable, but the holiday touches — whether it's a gingham pattern or hand-drawn snowflakes — add warmth that makes your message feel celebratory rather than purely business. Think of it as your brand wearing a festive accessory, not a complete costume change.

Handwritten messages make recipients feel genuinely valued and appreciated. Even adding a single line like, "Thanks for being such a great partner this year," or including a team photo transforms your card from standard business correspondence into a meaningful connection. Companies using holiday cards report increased client engagement and loyalty when they incorporate these authentic touches.

Absolutely! Small details make a big impact without requiring a big budget. Patterned envelope liners typically add just $0.50-$1.00 per card but create a premium unboxing experience that recipients remember. Custom address stamps run about $25-40 and can be used for hundreds of cards, while choosing a square card format costs roughly the same as standard rectangles but instantly stands out in the mail pile.

While digital cards offer convenience and tracking capabilities, printed cards create a more lasting impression for important business relationships. Physical cards sit on desks as ongoing reminders of your partnership, while digital versions often get lost in crowded inboxes. For your most valued clients and key employees, invest in printed business holiday cards that show you took extra time and care.