Christmas letter to a pen pal: 20 phrases and an example
Writing a Christmas letter to a friend abroad: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, 20 phrases, how Christmas differs by country, an example letter and timing it to arrive on the 25th.
A Christmas letter to a friend abroad starts with picking the greeting that fits whether they celebrate Christmas: "Merry Christmas" if you know they do, "Happy Holidays" if you're not sure. On Lettie, sending one letter between Dec 17, 12:00 UTC and Dec 26, 12:00 UTC earns a free Christmas stamp (a gold star on green).
20 phrases
| Phrase | Use |
|---|---|
| Merry Christmas! | When you know they celebrate |
| Happy Holidays! | When you're not sure |
| Season's greetings! | Formal-friendly |
| Wishing you a warm and peaceful Christmas. | Opening line |
| Hope your holidays are full of rest and good food. | Opening line |
| I'm so glad we started writing this year. | The heart of the letter |
| Your letters were one of the best parts of my year. | The heart of the letter |
| What does Christmas look like where you are? | A question |
| Do you have a holiday tradition you love? | A question |
| Here, it's freezing and the streets are full of lights. | Your scene |
| I'm spending Christmas Eve with my family. | Your plans |
| I wish I could send you a real card. | A warm aside |
| Thinking of you this season. | Short and kind |
| Sending you a little light from Seoul. | Swap in your city |
| May the new year bring you good things. | Looking ahead |
| Take care and stay warm. | Sign-off |
| Can't wait to read your next letter. | Sign-off |
| Cheers to another year of letters! | Sign-off |
| With love from Korea, | Closing (swap in your country) |
| Warm wishes, | Closing |
Christmas is different everywhere
| Where | What the season looks like |
|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand | Christmas in midsummer — beaches and barbecues |
| Philippines | The Christmas mood starts in September and runs for months |
| Japan | Not a public holiday; eating fried chicken or cake at Christmas is a well-known custom |
| Korea | December 25 is a public holiday; street lights and Christmas cake set the scene |
Asking about these differences makes a good letter on its own.
Example letter
Merry Christmas! Seoul is freezing right now, and the trees outside my building are wrapped in tiny lights. Starting to write to you this year was one of the best parts of my year. What does Christmas look like where you are? I'd love to hear about your family's traditions. Warm wishes!
Timing it to arrive on the 25th
Lettie letters take 1–24 hours depending on distance: 1–2 hours within a country, 12–24 hours to faraway countries. For a friend far away, send on the 23rd or 24th so the letter is waiting on Christmas morning. City-by-city times are in letter delivery time by distance.
After Christmas comes the New Year stamp (the first sunrise over the sea) — see New Year letter to a pen pal. Dates are in the 2026–2027 holiday stamp calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I write Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
- Merry Christmas if you know they celebrate it; Happy Holidays if you don’t, since many people don’t celebrate Christmas.
- When should I send a letter so it arrives on Christmas?
- Lettie letters take 1–24 hours depending on distance. For a faraway country, send on the 23rd or 24th.
- How do I get the Lettie Christmas stamp?
- Send one letter between Dec 17, 12:00 UTC and Dec 26, 12:00 UTC and a free stamp arrives.