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I am writing an email to a family member (in-law or brother/sister). While in the past I used "love" and signed off with my first name for closing, I usually wondered if there are better words I could use instead of "Love". For one thing, it sounds uncreative and a little trite. For another, it seems phony as I do not feel a close relation to some family members. What are the alternatives?

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off the top of my head, you could use the old "yours truly" but that is distant and formal. How about "Fondly" or "Best Wishes" and "Have a great day!"

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In a personal letter, while there is some traditional etiquette, you can largely close it however you'd like. Any sort of well-wishing or expression of affection/sincerity is acceptable. A few examples:

  • "Best Wishes"
  • "Yours Truly"
  • "See you soon"
  • "Wishing you good fortune in the New Year"
  • "God bless"

Anything works really.

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  • "Regards"
  • "Best Regards"
  • "Best Wishes to Your Family"

(I agree that "Love" is not always the most appropriate closing but as long as it won't be misconstrued, I err on the side of using "Love" because it is not "said" often enough!)

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  • I agree. Love is not said often enough. However, doesn't it sound a little imposing (or insincere?) if you are not that close to the other side?
    – inewbie
    Dec 27, 2012 at 19:55
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    @inewbie, I realize this is entirely based on opinion - but if imposing or not said with sincerity, it's not the best closing - but if it is someone who may be a long-time family member by marriage or someone who is not immediate family but you're close to, (like my sister-in-law or uncle's 3rd wife), I would still say "Love" - if the communication was of a personal nature.
    – Kristina Lopez
    Dec 27, 2012 at 21:32
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Fond regards, Warm regards, or All the best

Closer relative: With warmest affection, With much love, or Much love to you, Dad,

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Sincerely, [name]

or

–[name]

Using an en dash before the name. (It may supposed to be an em dash, but w\e IMO, just as long as it isn't a hyphen or a plan old dash.) Personally, I omit the space to denote attribution, to avoid confusing it with any other use.

Another option is to omit the sign-off entirely or phrase it into a TL;DR:

I hope to see you at [that party I mentioned]. Don't forget to bring your towel!

Also, emotes ;)

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Make a regard to an upcoming holiday such as Christmas, Halloween, The new year, or really any holiday examples: Merry Christmas, [name] Happy New Year, [name] Have a Spookly-good Halloween, [name] Love and good wishes this Valentine's, [name] but really, saying 'love' isn't so bad. love, anonymous

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  • Where in the world is Halloween a holiday?
    – KillingTime
    Dec 17, 2020 at 19:06
  • @KillingTime Christmas Eve is considered to be a "partial" holiday...whatever that means. It is not much of a stretch to consider "All Hallow's eve" the same for "All Saint's day"...
    – Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_
    Dec 18, 2020 at 18:45
  • @KillingTime Halloween is considered a holiday in the USA, especially for families with children, although not in the sense of school/work closures. The holiday is connected with the Christian observance of All Saint's Day as well as the pagan festival Samhain.
    – augurar
    Dec 21, 2020 at 5:58

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