What to Write in a Birthday Card
Funny, heartfelt, short, for a partner, for a colleague -find the right words here, then put them in a card worth keeping.
Make a Birthday Card -It's Free →Staring at a blank card is one of life's minor tortures. You know exactly how much this person means to you -getting that onto paper is another matter. The messages below are a starting point. Change the wording, add the specific memory only the two of you would understand, make it sound like you.
Short & sweet
When you want something warm without going overboard.
"Happy birthday! Hope your day is as wonderful as you are."
"Wishing you all the good things today and always."
"Happy birthday. So glad you exist."
"Another trip around the sun. You make it look easy."
"Sending you so much love on your birthday."
"May this year be your best one yet."
"Celebrating you today -and every day."
"Birthday wishes from across the miles. Thinking of you today."
Funny
For the friend who'd roll their eyes at anything too sincere.
"Happy birthday! You don't look a day over fabulous."
"Another year older, same amount of sense. Still love you."
"Age is just a number. A really big, alarming number -but still just a number."
"You're not old. You're vintage."
"I got you a card because birthday cakes are too many calories to carry."
"Congratulations on surviving another year of my friendship."
"Don't worry about getting older. You'll always be younger than me."
"You're [age]! Quick, lie about it before anyone notices."
Heartfelt -for close friends & family
When you want to say something that actually means something.
"I'm so grateful to have you in my life. Happy birthday -you deserve the world."
"Thank you for always being there -for the calls at midnight, the terrible advice, and the great laughs."
"You make every room better just by being in it. Happy birthday."
"I couldn't have asked for a better [mum / dad / sister / brother / friend]. Thank you for everything."
"You've been my constant. Happy birthday to my favourite person."
"Every year with you in it is a better year. Happy birthday."
"I hope your birthday is half as wonderful as you make every ordinary Tuesday feel."
"To the person who knows me best and likes me anyway -happy birthday."
Put your message in a card worth keeping
Add photos, video, and music. Share with one link. Free to start.
Make a Birthday Card -It's Free →For your partner or spouse
"Happy birthday to the person I choose, every single day. I love you more than I can say."
"Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done. Happy birthday."
"You make ordinary life feel like an adventure. Happy birthday, my love."
"Every birthday with you is my favourite one yet. Here's to many more."
"I love you more today than I did yesterday. (Yesterday was already a lot.)"
"Happy birthday to the one who makes coming home the best part of every day."
"You're my favourite human. That's it, that's the message. Happy birthday."
For a colleague
Professional enough for work, warm enough to feel genuine.
"Happy birthday! Hope you get a chance to actually switch off today."
"Wishing you a brilliant birthday -you've earned a day off from being amazing."
"Happy birthday! Thanks for making work a better place to be."
"Hope your birthday is everything your inbox is not -relaxed, joyful, and manageable."
"The office is a better place with you in it. Happy birthday!"
Milestone birthdays
Turning 30
"Thirty and thriving. You've never looked better or known yourself more. Here's to the best decade yet."
"Welcome to your 30s. Turns out they're brilliant. Happy birthday."
"30 -better boundaries, better sleep, better everything. Enjoy it."
Turning 40
"40 looks absolutely incredible on you. Happy birthday -you've earned this."
"Forty is when you stop caring what people think and start actually enjoying life. You're going to love it."
"Happy 40th. You've packed a lot into four decades. Excited to see what's next."
Turning 50
"Half a century of being wonderful. That's worth celebrating. Happy birthday."
"You've lived a brilliant 50 years -and you're just getting started."
"Fifty! You wear it like it's nothing. Happy birthday to one of the best people I know."
Three things that always help
Be specific
"I'll never forget the time we…" beats any generic wish. One real memory is worth ten clichés.
Sound like yourself
If you'd never say "heartfelt warm wishes" out loud, don't write it. Write the way you actually talk to this person.
Short is fine
A well-chosen short message beats a long one that runs out of steam on the third line.
Ready to put your words into a card? Make a free birthday card on Create Greeting -add your photos, your message, your video, and share it with one link.
Now make the card to go with it
Your message, your photos, your video. Free to start.
Make a Birthday Card -It's Free →