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 Bosses: 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

Noel by Bonnie Christine

What to Write in a Holiday Card for Your Boss

Writing a holiday card to your boss can be tricky, so keep it simple. Choose sentiments similar to those you'd write for a coworker or something like these:

• Thank you for your hard work and dedication this year.
• Wishing a wonderful holiday to someone who leads by example.
• Our team wouldn't be the same without you - happy holidays!
• Not even Santa could bring us a better boss.
• Have a wonderfully refreshing holiday season.
• You're the reason we'll be happy to come back to work next year.
• May your holidays be full of love, peace, and happiness.

Unless you and your boss, supervisor, or manager are on friendly terms outside of work (in which case, he or she will be on your "friends" list and not your "work" list), keep your holiday card fairly generic but still heartfelt.

Making Spirits Bright

Funny Add-Ons for Holiday Cards to Colleagues and Bosses

When you create personalized photo cards for the holidays, you can choose pre-written text or add your own. If you're looking for a few punny or humorous lines, check out these ideas:

• It's the most wine-derful time of the year!
• May your gifts be many and your returns and exchanges few.
• Time to get into the Christmas spirits - do you want wine, whiskey or beer?
• If you don't leave cookies and milk out for Santa, you're probably going to get socks.
• The best thing about this card is that we didn't buy you a fruitcake to go with it.
• What's Your Advice on How to Write Holiday Cards to Bosses?

What do you say in a card to your coworkers or supervisors - or what cards have you received that really made an impact? We'd love to hear your thoughts, so share them in the comments below. If you've created personalized holiday cards for the people you work with, share a photo on Instagram and tag us @Mixbook so you can inspire others, as well!