A short New Year’s greeting to add to relatives’ cards: A collection of heartwarming ideas
When you sit down to write New Year’s cards to relatives, do you ever find yourself stuck thinking, “I just want to add a short note, but what should I write?” The words you choose can change depending on your relationship with the recipient—relatives you haven’t seen in a while, an aunt or uncle who always looks out for you, or cousins of a different generation.
In this article, we’ve gathered ideas for short messages to include in New Year’s cards to relatives.
It’s packed with ready-to-use phrases, from examples that convey gratitude to friendly messages that include brief updates.
Don’t end with a formal greeting alone—let’s start the New Year on a warm note with a heartfelt line!
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A one-line message to add to New Year’s cards for relatives! A collection of heartfelt ideas (11–20)
May the New Year be filled with richness of heart.
Being “rich at heart” is a phrase that signifies a state of contentment.
It carries the hope that one will live with a spacious mind and a generous spirit at all times.
When our hearts are frayed, we tend to see things in a negative light.
To avoid overlooking small happinesses, we’d like to spend our days calmly, with a tranquil heart.
It’s a message that feels natural to send to anyone, so consider adding it to your New Year’s card variations and wish your relatives and acquaintances quiet, abundant days ahead.
Let’s continue to challenge and improve each other this year as well.
Sesshata kuma refers to encouraging one another and striving and growing together.
Using this phrase conveys not only the determination of “Let’s do our best again this year,” but also a considerate feeling of “I want us to work hard together.” It gives off a powerful sense that says, “They’re working hard too— I can’t fall behind!”—a push on the back.
It’s an easy phrase to send both to people you interact with regularly and to those you only exchange New Year’s cards with, delivering a gentle touch of thoughtfulness in a single line.
I hope this early spring finds you in good health.
“Sukoyaka” means that both the mind and body are healthy and robust.
This expression conveys the joy that the other person has welcomed a healthy and good New Year.
Also, “zonjimasu” is the polite form of “to think” or “to know,” so it is recommended as a phrase to add when addressing superiors or elderly people.
When sending New Year’s greeting cards to someone important, you’ll want to use more polite language than usual and add a slightly sophisticated touch.
The recipient may be impressed and think, “This person uses very polite and refined expressions.”
Wishing you all good health and happiness.
The key point of this phrase is the addition of ‘minasama no’ (everyone’s).
Even without it, your consideration for the other person comes across, but including it conveys care for all the people around the recipient—their family, friends, and others.
It makes one happy to realize there’s someone wishing not only for their own well-being, but also for the health and happiness of those around them.
As a stylish line to add to a New Year’s card, why not deliver this message in a smart, refined way?
Please take good care of yourself during this severe cold.
How about the refined phrase “In this time of severe cold, please take good care of yourself”? Here, ori means “time” or “occasion” and is used as a polite expression.
And jiai literally means “self-love,” that is, to value oneself and look after one’s health.
It’s a very courteous way to convey the feeling of “It’s bitterly cold, so please mind your health.” The recipient will likely be pleased, thinking, “What a stylish turn of phrase.” Since it suits anyone—friends, relatives, former colleagues—try adding it to your New Year’s cards.
I pray that it will be a year full of blessings.
A year full of good fortune literally means that happiness visits often and continues throughout the year.
For someone important to whom you’re sending New Year’s cards, you want them to have a year overflowing with joy, don’t you? The phrase “I pray for you” conveys that you truly care about them, and it’s likely to warm the heart of the person who receives your card.
It’s always nice to know there’s someone who thinks of you.
This message might even prompt them to reach out, saying they’d love to meet after a long time.
It’s a phrase that’s easy to send both to people you’re usually close with and to those who live far away and are hard to see often.
A short message to add to New Year’s cards for relatives! A collection of heartfelt ideas (21–30)
Wishing you a year of peace and tranquility.
We all want to spend our days in peace and tranquility.
And we wish the same calm, composed days for those we care about.
With that sentiment in mind, try adding, “May you spend a year of tranquility and peace.” “Please spend” is fine, but using “may you” conveys greater politeness and respect.
It’s a phrase that’s easy to offer to superiors, relatives, and older people, so it’s a handy expression for many situations.