Christmas cards for your neighbour
A neighbour is someone you see at the bins and on the footpath and rarely for longer than two minutes. You know their car, their dog and which weeks they are away. A Christmas card is often the first proper note you send them all year.
It does not have to be much. A thank you for taking in the parcels, a hello after a quiet year, or an apology for the loud birthday in March. A card sent as a link means you do not have to knock at the door and make small talk. It arrives by email or text, can be scheduled for Christmas morning, and leaves them able to wave at you over the fence in January.
Blame the Post
Boxing Day Boomerang
Eleven Fifty-Eight
Fashionably Late
Formal Apology
Good Intentions
Last Year’s Card
Planned Ahead
Second Attempt
Stamp Situation
The HOA Sleigh Ban
From Our Chaos to Yours
Still Looking for His Shoes
Last Light in the City
Santa Wears Shorts Here
Welcome to Christmas in the Heat
Santa and the HOA
The Cookie Exchange Audit
The Joint Present
Boxing Day Survival
Family Lunch Debrief
Santa in Thongs
The Aircon Treaty
The Backyard Argument
The Christmas Mozzies
The Esky Is Sacred
The Ham Incident
The Pavlova Inquiry
The Prawn Ultimatum
The Roast Meltdown
I Ate the Pavlova
A Small Kindness
Relatives and Melting Ice
First Cup of Tea
Even the Dog
Nobody Blinking
The Agreement
The Airport Reindeer
The Gift Card Summit
The Holiday Doorbell
The Holiday Parking Lot
The Leftover Strategy
The Spare Chair
The Twelve Foot Tree
The Ugly Sweater Hearing
Lost Christmas Spirit
Ugly Sweater Credit Card
Mulled Wine Diplomacy
10 things to write inside
Swap in their name. Change anything that doesn’t sound like you.
- sweet Merry Christmas, [first name]. Thank you for being such a good neighbour this year. We feel lucky to live next door to you.
- sweet [first name], thank you for keeping an eye on the place when we were away. It means a lot to know someone is there. Have a lovely Christmas.
- sweet We do not say it often, [first name], but we're glad you live nearby. Thank you for the waves, the parcels and the extra bin on collection day.
- sweet Wishing you a happy Christmas, [first name]. Thank you for making this street feel like somewhere to belong.
- funny Merry Christmas, [first name]. Thank you for pretending not to hear the dog. We promise to pretend not to hear your leaf blower.
- funny [first name], thank you for putting up with the cricket in the driveway all summer. Enjoy a nice quiet Christmas. We will try to be one.
- funny Happy Christmas, [first name]. We have not yet stolen your parking spot, and we plan to keep it that way. Cheers for being so patient.
- quiet Thank you for being a good neighbour, [first name]. Merry Christmas.
- quiet [first name], we're glad you're next door. Happy Christmas to you and yours.
- rude Merry Christmas, [first name]. Thank you for being the one neighbour who does not complain. Please ignore the speaker at the barbecue on Boxing Day. We are not sorry.
Questions people ask
What do you write in a Christmas card for a neighbour?
Keep it light and friendly. Thank them for something small and real, like watching the house, taking a parcel or a kind word over the fence. Add your name and house number if they do not know you well. A short note is plenty for someone you see at the bins.
Is it okay to send a neighbour a card instead of knocking?
Yes, and many people prefer it. A card sent as a link lets them read your message in their own time without having to make conversation at the door. It is polite, easy and does not demand a reply, which suits most neighbours.
Can I send a card to my whole street at once?
Yes. Pick a card, write a line for each household and send each one by email or text. If you do not have everyone's address, a few of the closest neighbours is still a kind gesture. Different cards for different houses is fine.