Midnight Countdown Texts for New Year’s Eve
These are one-line texts for the last minutes of 31 December, each under 120 characters as written. Not every message fits every minute. Messages 1, 2, 6 and 8 each name their own countdown, and messages 7 and 9 refer to the countdown or the chime, so pick the countdown that matches the minute you are sending. Messages 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 name no time and can go out at any point in the countdown. Messages 1 to 6 suit one reader and messages 7 to 11 suit a group chat. Replace [name] with the reader’s name, or take out the comma and [name] together; each text still makes sense in full.
When to use these
Use these in the last few minutes of 31 December. Pick the countdown that matches the minute you are sending, so each message is accurate for the moment it is sent: ‘Ten seconds to go’ is only right ten seconds before midnight. Messages 1 to 6 suit a partner, close friend or sibling, and a quiet countdown on your own. Messages 7 to 11 fit a group chat that is busy over the countdown. If the reader is in another time zone, send when midnight falls for them, not for you.
Messages you can copy
Ten seconds to go, and I couldn’t wait to send this one to you.
Thirty seconds to go, and I’m glad the last ones of this year have included you.
Whatever the fireworks get up to outside, I’d rather be laughing about it with you.
Thinking of you, [name]. I’m grateful for every late-night call we’ve shared, and I wish you a good year ahead.
Whatever the months ahead hold, I hope they include long walks and more reasons to laugh at our old jokes.
Five minutes to midnight, and the year I’m about to close is better for having you in it.
Fireworks in one town and quiet in another, but this chat is counting down together. Love you all.
Five, four, three, two, one! Good company made this year, so here’s to more of it.
Whoever is still awake for the chime, this one is for you. Let’s start the year loudly, friends.
Save me a seat in the year ahead, and bring along your best ridiculous plans.
Thanks for all the laughs this year, all of you. Here’s to more of them ahead.
Make it yours
Add one detail that belongs only to your bond with this person, such as a shared joke, the room you count down in or the film you always argue about. In a group chat, an in-joke from the year works better than a generic line. If you are far apart, mention the weather where you are, and keep it to one line.
Tone to avoid
Skip stock sentiments and card-shop clichés, since they read like every other card. Leave out questions, reply deadlines and any line asking why a message went unanswered. Never use the countdown to test how much someone cares, compare them with others, or promise plans that have not been talked through. Keep the tone light, and let the reader decide whether to answer.
More ideas
If you prefer more lines in a classic SMS style, the short New Year SMS on sms4smile.com is a useful companion to these midnight messages.
Frequently asked questions
Do these need a reply?
No. Nothing in the messages asks for one, so silence is perfectly fine.
Can I send a group message without editing it?
Yes. Messages 7 to 11 name nobody and address the whole group, so they suit a family or friends chat as written.
What if I send one after midnight has passed?
Messages 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 still work after the chime. Messages 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 count down or refer to the chime, so send those before the clock strikes.
Can I use these with a colleague or a neighbour?
Messages 8 and 11 suit a work or neighbourhood group chat. Keep the private messages for someone close to you.