Last updated August 15, 2023
Deciding on the best way to sign off a letter can be a challenge! Back in the day, clear rules on sign-off etiquette meant people always knew the correct way to sign off asympathy card, farewell card, or athank you letter. A more relaxed attitude to written etiquette, fueled by growing informality electronic communication, results in considerable confusion regarding card salutations. In particular, when to sign a card “with love” can be difficult to work out.
Here we take a look at what signing a card “with love” means, the correct way to close personal/formal letters, and alternatives to signing off a communication “with love“.
Table of Contents
- What Does Signing a Card “With Love” Indicate?
- How to End a Letter Without Saying ‘Love’
- Proper Etiquette for Closing Personal Letters
- Christmas Letters
- Sympathy Cards
- Congratulations
- Proper Etiquette for Closing Professional Letters
- When to Avoid Signing a Letter “With Love“
- How to Sign a Card Without Saying Love
- How to End a Letter With Love to a Friend
- Conclusion
What Does Signing a Card “With Love” Indicate?
Signing off a card “with love“may mean a number of things, depending on both the recipient and the sender. “With love from mom (or dad)”, for example, is a clear statement of a parent’s enduring love for their child. A Mothers’ Day or Fathers’ Day card is also commonly (and correctly) signed “with love” from children.
Beyond signing off communications to family members, the term may also be used to sign-off a letter to a close friend; indicating a deep level of care and affection. Or, it may be used at the end of a wedding thank you card; this makes a lot of sense, especially when keeping in mind what we discuss in our ultimate wedding wishes guide.
Older people may be more inclined to use “with love” sparingly, confining it to close family members. In contrast, younger people may sign off almost any letter or greeting card “with love” to indicate casual affection or good intent.
But, there are many ways to sign a card without saying love.
How to End a Letter Without Saying ‘Love’
When you’re trying to figure out how to end a letter with love without specifically saying ‘love’, it can be a bit tricky. To sign with love without actually using a ‘with love’ signature takes a bit more tact than one would expect.
Ending a letter with love, or at least the feeling of it, should emphasize the connection you share with the person who you are writing to. Connecting to past experiences with them, referencing times where you felt a deep connection, are a great way to go. Here are 10 ways we recommend you sign with love without actually saying it.
- “Thinking of you” – A simple but meaningful sentiment that conveys you care.
- “Warmly” or “Fondly” – Both evoke a sense of affection.
- “Yours truly” or “Sincerely yours” – Emphasizes your bond.
- “With appreciation” or “With gratitude” – Shows you value their role in your life.
- “Sending hugs” or “Sending a hug” – Hugs signify caring and comfort.
- “You’re in my thoughts” or “Keeping you in my thoughts” – Lets them know they’re on your mind.
- “Miss you” or “Missing you” – Straightforward expression that you feel their absence.
- “Until we meet again” – Looks ahead to being reunited.
- “With care” or “With kindness” – Demonstrates thoughtfulness and compassion.
- “Wishing you the best” or “Wishing you all the best” – Conveys hope for their happiness.
Proper Etiquette for Closing Personal Letters
Personal letters may be closed in a variety of ways, depending on both the sender and recipient. Although many people now communicate via text or email, a traditional letter to a friend can be the perfect way to send a personal message.
Some of the most commonly sent personal letters are Christmas letters, a sympathy card, athank you card, or a letter to congratulate someone on an achievement. The main thing we want to emphasize here is, in a lot of cases, learning how to end a letter without saying love is much stronger than directly saying it.
Some example messages that can be used on informal occasions instead of, or as well as “with love“, are detailed below.
Christmas Letters
Christmas letters, regardless of if they are Christmas cards for business or funny Christmas cards, may be signed off with:
- “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
- “With every good wish for the holiday season.”
- “Warm Season’s Greetings.”
Sympathy Cards
Suitable sentiments for asympathy cardinclude:
- “So sorry for your loss.”
- “With deepest sympathy.”
- “Thinking of you at this difficult time.”
There are some additional suggestionshereif required.
Congratulations
As well as simply writing “Congratulations“, other sentiments that work well in a personal letter include:
- “Congratulations and best wishes for your next adventure.”
- “Congratulations on your well-deserved success.”
- “So pleased for you/you both.”
Proper Etiquette for Closing Professional Letters
In contrast to agreeting card, where a variety of different sign-offs can be used, professional letters have a set format for closing.
If you commenced the letter with “Dear Sir/Madam,” then the letter should be signed with the words, “Yours faithfully”, followed by your signature. However, if the letter commenced with the recipient’s name, for example, “Dear Dr Smith,” or “Dear Mrs Summers,” then it should be signed off, “Yours sincerely,” with your signature beneath.
Don’t forget that abusiness lettershould also include your address and the date at the top of the page, as well as the address of the person or business that you’re communicating with.
For individuals who are struggling to decide the best way to close a letter, prior to adding one of the professional sign-offs indicated above, one of the following sentences may be of assistance:
- “Many thanks for your attention to this matter.”
- “I look forward to hearing from you in due course.”
- “Many thanks for your assistance with this matter.”
When to Avoid Signing a Letter “With Love“
Whilst “with love” can be used fairly freely for informal communication, there are certain situations when the expression shouldn’t be used as part of a letter closing, as it’s not appropriate. Some of these include:
- Any work-related correspondence, including emails, a greeting card (including birthday cards to employees or coworkers), a cover letter, CV, job acceptance letter or any other form of work-related correspondence. This includes informal correspondence between colleagues unless you also know them in a personal capacity. If sending a Christmas Card to a colleague, for example, one of the seasonal Christmas sign-offs would be more suitable.
- Any correspondence to companies or organizations.
- Correspondence to your solicitor. Legal correspondence should be conducted using professional language.
- Anytime you are writing a farewell card to an employee or coworker.
If you are not sure which form of address to use, it’s best to opt for formal phrasing.
How to Sign a Card Without Saying Love
There are some situations where formal language isn’t required, but “with love” isn’t going to be a suitable message. Some commonly used sign-offs for a greetings card to a friend, an informal email or a letter include:
- “Kind regards.”
- “Best wishes.”
- “All the best.”
- “Best regards.”
- “Warmest regards.”
How to End a Letter With Love to a Friend
On the flipside of the coin, when you’re writing a letter to a close friend, you may want to actually just know the best ways for signing a card with love. Here are a couple basic templates you can start with – make sure to tinker around with them to personalize them.
- Love always, [Your name]
- Sending all my love, [Your name]
- With all the love in my heart, [Your name]
- Love you lots, [Your nickname]
- Hugs and kisses, [Your name]
- XOXO, [Your name]
- You’re so loved, [Your name]
- Loving you always, [Your name]
- With a heart full of love, [Your name]
- Love ya, girl! [Your nickname]
- Can’t wait to see you! Love, [Your name]
- Miss you tons. Love, [Your name]
- Your friend always, [Your name]
The main thing is to make it sincere and personal to your relationship with your friend. Add details about fun memories or inside jokes you share to make it meaningful.
Conclusion
Are you looking for the perfect card to express your sentiments? Dispatch customised greetings cards quickly and conveniently online fromHandwrytten’s great selection. We even include sample messages for you to choose from! Make sure to be aware of how long it takes for snail mail to be delivered to ensure your card gets delivered exactly when you want it to be.