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French Christmas and New Year wishes

Christmas and New Year share a vocabulary in France. These are the lines worth having ready for the season's cards.

Joyeux Noël ! Merry Christmas.

The standard Christmas greeting, for anyone.

Dictionary-attested formula (Académie, Larousse). Source: Dictionnaire de l'Académie française (9e éd.), joyeux; Dictionnaire de l'Académie française (9e éd.), Noël; Larousse, Noël; Popcarte, message joyeux Noël
Joyeux Noël et bonne année ! Merry Christmas and happy new year.

One card for both occasions; for anyone.

French card wording. Source: Popcarte, textes de carte de vœux; Linternaute, carte 'Joyeux noël et Bonne année'; Larousse, année
Bonnes fêtes ! Happy holidays.

Covers Christmas and the new year in two words: a good fit for a group, a workplace or anyone whose plans we do not know.

Dictionary example (Académie) and card wording. Source: Dictionnaire de l'Académie française (9e éd.), fête; Popcarte, message joyeux Noël
Joyeuses fêtes ! Happy holidays.

A short, warm alternative to Bonnes fêtes, for anyone.

French card wording. Source: Linternaute, carte 'Joyeuses fêtes'; Tutkit, vœux de Noël courts; Wiktionnaire, joyeuses fêtes
Bonne année ! Happy new year.

The new-year wish, for anyone.

Dictionary-attested formula (Académie, Larousse). Source: Dictionnaire de l'Académie française (9e éd.), année; Larousse, année
Mes meilleurs vœux de paix, de bonheur et de santé pour cette nouvelle année. Our best wishes for peace, happiness and good health in the new year.

The fuller, more careful form for New Year cards (vous).

Short: Mes meilleurs vœux ! (Best wishes.)

Dictionary-attested formula (Larousse) and card wording. Source: Larousse, vœu; Popcarte, textes de carte de vœux
Meilleurs vœux ! Best wishes.

The shorter, more familiar form of mes meilleurs vœux, as Larousse puts it. Common on New Year cards.

Dictionary-attested formula (Larousse) and card wording. Source: Larousse, vœu; Popcarte, textes de carte de vœux
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Toasts, birthdays, thank-yous, sympathy, Christmas and everyday life, with translations and tu/vous notes, ready to copy into a card.

Free. We'll also send short notes before card days like Noël, La Chandeleur and la Fête des Mères. Unsubscribe in one click. Privacy

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