If you're like most people, you struggle with finding the perfect balance in holiday sentiments - especially when it comes to writing a personal note inside a holiday card to someone you know from work. Fortunately, you can use this guide to help you craft personal notes (but not too personal) to your colleagues and boss.

How to Write Holiday Cards to Coworkers

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How to Write Holiday Cards to Coworkers: The Definitive Guide

Let's start with the basics. You want to leave a pleasant impression with your holiday cards. You don't want to overstep anyone's boundaries, but you don't want to write a generic statement in every card. And you definitely don't want to simply sign your name and call it a day; that implies that you only passed out cards because you didn't want to look like the Grinch. Your ultimate goal in giving out holiday cards is to sprinkle your workplace with cheer, so you can use this guide to find the right sentiments to share.

Hand-written Foliage With Gratitude

First things first: Follow these ground rules.

1. Don't assume someone's religion.

2. Don't get too personal with a "recap," especially if it could be considered insensitive (such as writing about your new house that costs more than other workers could afford). Try to reserve cards that recap your year for family and close friends; they're better audiences for personal details.

3. Use appropriate humor or inside jokes - but nothing that someone else reading the card could find offensive.

With those rules in mind, here's how to put together the right sentiments for people you know through work.

Related: The 15 best holiday card messages for employees

Hope, Love and Joy Corporate Holiday

What to Write in Holiday Cards for Coworkers

You never have to write more than a sentence or two in a holiday card, particularly if you don't know the recipient that well. For work acquaintances, these are all appropriate sentiments:

• Wishing you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.
• Best wishes for your health and happiness throughout the coming year.
• May you enjoy the gift of love, the gift of peace, and the gift of happiness this holiday season.
• May your holidays be cheerful, warm, and memorable.
• Happy holidays to you and yours - and may you make wonderful memories today, tomorrow, and throughout the coming year.
• It's been really great working with you this year, and I'm looking forward to continuing next year.
• Create Now
• Making Spirits Bright

If you know the recipient fairly well, add a personal note to show that you put thought into his or her card. You can say things like, "I'm so glad we're on this team together - I'm looking forward to working with you for many more years," "I always wish you the best, and I really want to let you know how grateful I am to work with you," or "You're part of the reason I'll look forward to coming back to work after the new year."