People from around the world have been writing to me in search of the correct wording for new year's messages to their English-speaking friends and associates. To help them, I have composed these brief messages as models. I hope you find them helpful.
Note to international readers: If the message says I, it is from one person. If it says we, it is from more than one person or from a business. When you change the subject from I to we (or we to I), the verb stays the same. (Example: "I wish" and "We wish" are both correct.)
Happy 2012! I wish you a new year filled with prosperity, joy, and contentment. [for anyone]
Happy 2012! I wish you a beautiful, magical new year! [for anyone]
On New Year's Day and every day, we wish you joy and fulfillment. Happy new year! [for anyone]
We wish you a new year filled with wonder, peace, and meaning. Happy 2012! [for anyone]
I hope you are blessed with delight, fulfillment, and peace in the new year. [for anyone, has a spiritual feeling]
I wish you a wonderful new year filled with abundance, joy, and treasured moments. May 2012 be your best year yet! [for anyone, especially a professional]
I hope 2012 is a year of great happiness and success for you. Have a wonderful new year! [for anyone, especially a professional]
We are grateful for our work with you in 2011, and we look forward to working together in the new year. Happy 2012! [for a client]
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If you need someone to edit or proofread your holiday messages, please ask my partner, Scribendi. I don't provide this service, but Scribendi does great, fast work.
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Thank you for being a customer at our ______________. [fill in a word or a phrase such as hair salon, restaurant, gym, health club, or store.] We look forward to serving you in 2012. We wish you peace, happiness, and abundant good health in the new year. [for a customer]
Thank you for staying with us. We wish you a beautiful new year filled with peace and gladness. We look forward to seeing you again in 2012. [for a hotel guest]
Thank you for your business in 2011. It has been a pleasure helping you reach your goals, and we look forward to serving you again in the new year. We wish you a prosperous and wonderful 2012! [for a customer or a client]
We are delighted to have you as a customer, and we look forward to serving you in the new year. Have a terrific 2012! [for a customer]
We wish you great happiness in your new home. Have a wonderful new year! [for someone who has moved]
We wish you abundant success and joy in your new location. Happy 2012! [for a business that has moved]
I am personally grateful to each one of you for your tremendous efforts, and I wish everyone a rewarding, joyous new year. I look forward to working with you in 2012. [to a group of employees and associates]
I appreciate your contribution to our success this year. I wish you peace, joy, and fulfillment in 2012. Happy new year! [for an individual employee or associate]
My examples are generic so that you can use them in a variety of situations. However, the more personalized your message is, the more sincere it will feel.
Happy 2012 to you, dear reader! I hope your new year is filled with joyful learning, abundant opportunity, and pleasure in all you do.
Update: Happy 2017! If you want to continue learning about courteous, relationship-building writing, get my book Business Writing With Heart: How to Build Great Work Relationships One Message at a Time. You can get a signed paperback with a laminated bookmark from my website. Or get it for your Kindle (from Amazon) or your Nook (from Barnes & Noble). Get a free Kindle app.
Lynn
Syntax Training
