What to Write in a Birthday Card

Make It Personal

When it comes to what to write in a birthday card, the message you choose should be tailored to the recipient. A generic “Happy Birthday!” message might work for a colleague or acquaintance, but your friends and family deserve something more personal. Consider using a memory from your time together as inspiration for your birthday wish.

Avoid Clichés

While a “Happy Birthday!” message is always welcome, you can go the extra mile by avoiding clichés in your birthday card sentiment. steer clear of platitudes like “You deserve the world!” or “May all your dreams come true!” Not only are they overused, but they might not really mean anything to the birthday boy or girl. If you’re struggling to find the right words, try keeping your message short and sweet. 

 Of course, "happy belated birthday" or "have a very happy birthday" seem cliché because they're said constantly, but these are such classic birthday wishes, they're exempted.

Be Funny…If You Can

On the other hand, if you know the birthday card recipient well enough to crack a joke, go for it! A funny birthday message will no doubt be appreciated, as long as you don’t go too far. Remember, the key is to make sure your sentiment is appropriate for the birthday boy or girl’s age and personality. 

 Sometimes, the most memorable birthday wishes, especially for a milestone birthday, are the ones that are a little bit offbeat. If you’re feeling daring, try writing a hilarious message that will make the recipient laugh out loud. Just be sure not to go too overboard – you don’t want to embarrass the birthday boy or girl in front of their friends and family.

Get Sentimental

For close friends and family members, a birthday is the perfect opportunity to get sentimental. If you’re looking for what to write in a birthday card for mom or dad, try expressing how much they mean to you. A heartfelt message will no doubt be appreciated. 

 If you want to get really personal in your birthday card, you can talk about shared memories or experiences that the recipient will appreciate. For example, you could write about a time that you laughed or cried together. If you're close family, you could also talk about how happy you are that they're in your life.

Keep It Short

When it comes to what to write in a birthday card, sometimes less is more. A simple “Happy Birthday!” message followed by your signature can be just as effective as a lengthy sentiment. In fact, a short and sweet message might even be more appreciated, as it’s to the point and less likely to be forgotten. 

Now let's look at examples of all these great ways to craft perfect birthday card messages.

Make It Funny

Funny birthday messages are an excellent option for less formal relationships — acquaintances, friends, and close family members. But this probably isn’t the best choice for relationships where expressions of emotion are more appropriate, like a spouse or significant other.

You could express a funny memory that relates to their birthday or quote an inside joke. You could make a joke about how old they are, and give them a good-natured ribbing for being so ancient. Funny birthday messages are a good way to express positive emotions when you have a hard time sharing them directly. Possible signatures include:

● Happy birthday, old-timer!

● To another trip around the sun!

● Happy 29th birthday...again!

● Remember that I’ll always be younger than you!

● Have another piece of birthday cake ... you only live once!

Make It Heartfelt

● All my love 
● Hugs and kisses 
● Wishing you a wonderful birthday 
● Wishing love on your special day 

● Hope you have the best birthday

Make It Sincere

Whether you're writing a card for a business colleague or your grandmother, you don’t need to pour out your heart in order to write an authentic happy birthday message. Just let the other person know that you hope they have a happy birthday. Keep it short and sweet. You’re not writing a thank you card, or some other communication that requires a long message. Simply let the person know that you’re thinking of them on their birthday and that you’re wishing them a wonderful day. Of course, humor is welcome, too!

Appropriate signatures include:

● Wishing you the best

● Wishing you a happy birthday

● All the best

● Happy Birthday!

● Wish a great birthday for a wonderful person

Make It Complementary

What do people like more than getting a birthday message? Getting one that tells them what a great person they are! Sometimes the easiest way to express how you feel about someone is to tell them why you appreciate them. Ask yourself what it is about the person that makes them so special to you, and then write the answer on their birthday card. 

Appropriate signatures include:

● Happy that you’re my friend

● Wishing you the wonderful birthday you deserve

● Warm wishes on your birthday

● Happy birthday, my friend

● Belated birthday wishes for a true friend 

● A lovely person like you deserves a lovely birthday

Make It Someone Else’s Words

If you’re really having a hard time finding the right message, you can let someone else speak for you. Find a particularly meaningful quote from a notable person and include it as your birthday card message. You’ll get extra points if you can choose someone that’s dear to both you and your recipient. You may not have a way with words, but thankfully lots of other people do! You can close with:

● Thinking of you

● Have a wonderful birthday

● Best wishes on your birthday

● Warm thoughts on your special day

Sometimes you know how to sign a birthday card, whether personal or for business, but you don’t have the time. If you have a lot of birthday cards to send, and you want the personal feel that a handwritten card delivers, but can’t fit them into your schedule, let Simply Noted take care of it for you. Our ballpoint pen handwriting machines can take your uploaded message and turn it into a special, handwritten card that we’ll mail to your recipient. And all you do is send us your message!

Putting it Into Practice with Full Birthday Cards

Now let's look at a full birthday message. How you begin your message is just as important as how you end, and everything throughout! Celebrate your birthday person properly with great birthday card messages. These are mostly sentimental messages, but you could also write funny birthday greetings. 

 ----- 

 My Dearest Cara, 

 Happy birthday, dear friend! Here's wishing you all the best on your special day. You deserve it! May your day be filled with everything that brings you happiness. I'll be thinking of you and hoping you have a wonderful birthday. You're the best! I know you'll have a wonderful year ahead. 

 Happy that you're my friend, 

 Elaine 

 ----- 

 To My Wonderful Grandma, 

 Happy birthday! I hope you have a lovely day surrounded by those you love. You're such an important part of my life and I cherish our time together. I hope your day is as special as you are to me. Wishing you all the best on your birthday! 

 Wishing you a happy birthday, 

 Your favorite granddaughter :) 

 ----- 

 Dear Denise, 

 Happy birthday, boss! Thank you for being such a great leader and mentor. I've learned so much from you and I'm grateful to have you as a teacher. I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by those you love. Best wishes on your birthday! 

 All the best, 

 Your team 

 ----- 

Dear Lucy,

How can you be 40?!! Sending birthday wishes to my favorite sister! I hope you have a wonderful day and get to do everything you want. You deserve it! Thanks for always being there for me, I cherish our time together. Have the best birthday ever! 

Lovingly, 

 Your sister

Final Tips for Improving Your Birthday Card Messages

By now you're likely getting comfortable with what to write in a birthday card. Let's close with a few more tips for crafting the most touching messages possible.

Focus on the Individual

When it comes to writing a birthday message, the most important thing is to make it personal. Your birthday card should be tailored to the specific recipient and their unique relationship to you. This means taking the time to find out what they like, what's important to them, and what would make them feel special on their big day.

Be thoughtful

Your birthday message should be thoughtful and reflect your relationship with the birthday boy or girl. This isn't the time to be funny or clever but rather to express your sincere sentiments. Take a few moments to think about what they mean to you and what you want to say before you start writing.

Be specific

When it comes to writing a birthday message, the more specific you can be, the better. Mentioning specific things like memories you've shared or inside jokes will make your message more personal and memorable.

Use proper grammar and spelling

This should go without saying, but be sure to use proper grammar and spelling when writing your birthday message. This will show that you took the time to write a well-thought-out message, and it will make your card recipient feel special.

Say only what you need to

Birthday messages don't need to be long or elaborate to be meaningful. In fact, sometimes the simplest messages are the most touching. Keep your message short and sweet, and to the point. Sending a birthday card is a wonderful way to show someone you care about them. 

By following these tips, you can be sure that your birthday card message will be one they'll always remember.