Christmas Letter Board Quotes That Are Sweet, Funny and a Little Sassy
Your Christmas decor is allowed to talk back. A tree and a garland are lovely, but a letter board that says what everyone in your house is thinking? That’s the part people actually stop and read.
Back in 2019, I finally pulled my letter board out of the closet. I’d technically owned it for two years at that point, and it had spent every one of them in a box. That December I spelled out a new line every few days and posted them on Instagram, and it turned into one of my favorite parts of the season.
It’s been sitting in one of our bathroom for awhile now sporting the message “Let the Shenanigans Begin”. Now that I type that out it seems like an odd place for that message. I think it’s time for an update.
So I went looking for more lines, sorted them into sweet, funny and countdown, and added what I’ve learned about spelling them out without running out of letters. Some of these will make you smile. A few will make you laugh out loud. Pick the ones that sound like your house.
Before You Spell It Out
The first year I did this, I found out the hard way that a letter board set doesn’t come with nearly as many letters as you think. I ran out of W’s, so I flipped an M upside down and called it a W, and “you” turned into “ya” because the letters just weren’t there. I made it work, but that board is how I learned to count before I spell. Because, of course, I still haven’t bought additional letters.
So here’s what I’d do before you commit to a line:
- Count your letters first. Lay the quote out on the table before it goes on the board. E’s, O’s and S’s disappear fastest, and a second letter set costs a lot less than a quote you can’t finish.
- Keep it to three or four short lines. Short quotes are easier to read from across the room and much easier to center.
- Add a little color. White letters on a black board are classic, but colored letters, a pink or green board, or a few gold accents make it feel like your Christmas instead of anyone’s. You could also tie the same ribbon from your tree around the frame.
- Give it some friends. A sprig of greenery, a stack of books or a mini tree next to the board makes it look styled instead of propped.
- Save the bottom row for a countdown. I like to keep the number changing every day in December, and it gives everyone in the house a reason to look at it.
This year we’ll add the letterboard in the kitchen because it’s the easiest place to keep it updated.
Sweet Christmas Letter Board Quotes
Merry and Bright is a classic for a reason, and it’s on one of my own boards from that year, with the countdown along the bottom. Sweet doesn’t have to mean boring, though, so I mixed in a few that sound a little more like home.
- Merry and Bright
- Merry, bright and a little bit sparkly
- Deck the halls
- ‘Tis the season
- Home for the holidays
- All is calm (ish)
- Peace, love and cookies
- Pull up a chair. There’s always room.
- Our favorite gift is all of you, here
- Cozy is a love language
- Fa la la la love you all
- Merry everything and happy always
If your house is anything like mine, “All is calm (ish)” is the most honest line on this list. And if you’re hosting a crowd, “Pull up a chair” by the front door says welcome before anyone takes their coat off.
Funny Christmas Letter Board Quotes
I’ve always said our house is controlled chaos, and “Never calm but always bright” sums it up better than I ever could. It’s loud, there’s a lot going on, and it’s also a lot of fun and laughter. Even when it’s chaos.
The other board I made that year was the one below. I’m not naming any names, but I think the people it’s about already know who they are.
- Never calm but always bright
- I’m not naming names, but you know who you are
- Dear Santa, define naughty
- Naughty is the new nice
- The naughty list was worth it
- Santa, I can explain
- Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle
- May your sweaters be ugly and bright
- Let’s all be thankful for elastic waistbands (an idea from Ful Candles, whose boards always make me laugh)
- Nobody likes a half-hearted jingler
- Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal
- Wrapping paper is my cardio
- This house runs on cocoa and chaos
- Out of office: watching Christmas movies
- Calories don’t count in December
- Jingle all the way to the couch
- Merry Christmas. Please return my tape measure.
That last one is for my family. I have at least seven tape measures in this house and the only way to find one is to remember which project I was working on last, because it’s probably still sitting there.
And for the colorful crowd:
- Yes, the tree is pink. Yes, on purpose.
- Grey Christmas? Not in this house.
- My favorite color is sparkles
You don’t have to ask which one is going on my board first.
Countdown and Real-Life Christmas Letter Board Ideas
A countdown is my favorite way to use the board all month, because it gives you a reason to change it every day and everyone in the house checks it. Put the number on the bottom row and swap the top lines whenever you get bored.
- __ days until Christmas
- __ sleeps until Santa
- __ days of cookies left
- __ days to finish shopping (no pressure)
- Cookies for Santa. Not for you.
- Wrapping station open. Bring your own tape.
- Elves at work. Do not peek.
- Leave your shoes, bring your appetite
- Welcome home for Christmas
- Movie night: cocoa required
Movies are fair game too. Elf alone has enough lines to fill the whole month, and just about any Christmas song title works on a board. Keep it to the title or a few words so it fits and still reads from across the room.
My grandkids love “jingle all the way” with a countdown on the bottom.
Christmas Letter Board FAQ
What’s a good short Christmas quote for a letter board? Merry and Bright, ‘Tis the Season and Home for the Holidays all fit on a small board and read from across the room. For something with a little more personality, try “All is calm (ish).”
What are some funny Christmas letter board quotes? “Dear Santa, define naughty,” “Wrapping paper is my cardio” and “Calories don’t count in December” are three of my favorites. The full list of 20 is above.
How do I make my letter board look festive? Add a little color with colored letters or a colored board, tie a ribbon around the frame, and set it next to greenery or a mini tree so it looks styled instead of propped.
How do I keep from running out of letters? Lay the quote out on the table first and count. E’s, O’s and S’s go fastest, and a second letter set is cheaper than a quote you can’t finish.
Which Quote Did I Miss?
Tell me your favorite line in the comments, and even better, share a picture of your board so I can see how clever you are. If yours is sassier than mine, I want to see it.
And however full December gets, take a breath and enjoy the people in your house. Decorate with joy, friends.
More Christmas ideas:
