Eighteen and 21 are the birthdays that mark growing up. At 18 someone is an adult in the eyes of the law, and at 21 they can legally drink in the United States. Both are good times to tell someone how proud you are of them.
Below are 60 wishes for an 18th or 21st birthday card: short messages, wishes for a son or daughter, a grandchild, niece or nephew, or a friend, funny wishes and religious wishes.
Article contents
- How to Write an 18th or 21st Birthday Card
- Short 18th Birthday Wishes
- 18th Birthday Wishes for a Son or Daughter
- 18th Birthday Wishes for a Grandchild, Niece or Nephew
- 18th Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Funny 18th Birthday Wishes
- Short 21st Birthday Wishes
- 21st Birthday Wishes for a Son or Daughter
- 21st Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Funny 21st Birthday Wishes
- Religious 18th and 21st Birthday Wishes
- What to Put in the Card Besides a Message
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Write an 18th or 21st Birthday Card
- Name the milestone. "Happy 18th" or "Happy 21st" makes the card feel written for this birthday.
- Say what you are proud of. A choice they made, how they treat people or how hard they worked.
- Look ahead. College, a first job, a move or just the year ahead.
- Close with love and your name.
Example: "Happy 18th birthday, Jake! We are so proud of how hard you worked this year and how kind you are to your little brother. College is going to be lucky to have you. Love, Mom and Dad"
Short 18th Birthday Wishes
- Happy 18th birthday!
- Happy 18th! Welcome to adulthood.
- Eighteen looks good on you. Have a great birthday.
- Happy 18th birthday! The best is yet to come.
- Happy 18th! This year is going to be an exciting one.
- Happy birthday! Eighteen is a big one, so celebrate it.
- Cheers to 18 and everything that comes next.
- Happy 18th birthday! You have worked hard to get here.
18th Birthday Wishes for a Son or Daughter
- Happy 18th birthday. Eighteen years ago you changed our lives, and we are so grateful you did.
- Legally you are an adult now. To us, you are still the kid who ran into our room during thunderstorms. Happy 18th.
- We have watched you grow into a smart, caring and capable person. Happy 18th.
- Happy 18th birthday! Wherever the next few years take you, home will always be here.
- You are ready for whatever comes next. We believe in you. Happy birthday.
- Eighteen years of school drop offs, practices and late night talks. We would do every one of them again.
- Happy 18th birthday. Raising you has been the best thing we have ever done.
- Go chase your plans with everything you have. We will be cheering the whole way. Happy 18th.
18th Birthday Wishes for a Grandchild, Niece or Nephew
- Happy 18th birthday! I still have the drawing you made me when you were five.
- Happy 18th to my wonderful grandchild. I am so proud of who you have become.
- Eighteen already! Grandma and I love you and can't wait to see what you do next.
- Happy 18th birthday to my favorite niece. You are going to do great things.
- Happy 18th, nephew! Enjoy this year, and call me if you ever need advice.
- You have a big heart and a good head on your shoulders. Happy 18th birthday.
18th Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Happy 18th birthday to my best friend! This is going to be a good year for us.
- Eighteen years old and still the funniest person I know. Happy birthday!
- Happy 18th! Thanks for being there through every class, crush and crisis.
- No matter where we end up after this year, you are stuck with me. Happy 18th.
- Happy 18th birthday! I'm so glad we grew up together.
Funny 18th Birthday Wishes
- Happy 18th! You can vote now, but you still can't pick the music in our car.
- Congratulations on turning 18. Your first adult task is writing a thank you note for this card.
- Happy 18th birthday! You are officially an adult, so the laundry is all yours.
- Eighteen means you can sign your own permission slips. Please use this power wisely.
- Happy 18th! Remember, being an adult mostly means knowing where the spare batteries are.
Short 21st Birthday Wishes
- Happy 21st birthday!
- Happy 21st! Celebrate safely and have a great night.
- Cheers to 21 years! Have the best birthday.
- Happy 21st birthday. This is going to be a great year for you.
- Wishing you a very happy 21st.
- Happy birthday! Twenty one and doing great.
- Happy 21st! Enjoy every minute of it.
- Cheers to you on your 21st birthday.
21st Birthday Wishes for a Son or Daughter
- Happy 21st birthday. You have grown into an adult we admire and a friend we love spending time with.
- Twenty one years ago we became your parents, and it is still our favorite job. Happy birthday.
- Happy 21st! We hope this year brings you good friends, good work and good memories.
- We are so proud of the choices you make and the person you are. Happy 21st.
- Happy 21st birthday. Celebrate, be safe and call us in the morning.
- You will always be our baby, even at 21. Happy birthday, sweetheart.
21st Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Happy 21st to my favorite person to celebrate with. First round is on me.
- Twenty one years young and still the best friend a person could ask for. Happy birthday!
- Happy 21st birthday! I'm so glad we get to celebrate this one together.
- Here's to 21, and to many more years of being ridiculous together.
- Happy 21st! Thanks for every laugh and every late night.
Funny 21st Birthday Wishes
- Happy 21st! Your ID no longer has to do all the talking.
- Congratulations on turning 21. The bouncer is finally going to be nice to you.
- Happy 21st birthday! Tomorrow morning, water and toast are your best friends.
- You are 21 now, which means you are old enough to pretend you know what wine goes with pizza.
- Happy 21st! Please send photos, and please do not send all of them to Grandma.
Religious 18th and 21st Birthday Wishes
- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalm 32:8) Happy 18th birthday.
- Happy 21st birthday. We pray God keeps you safe and guides every step you take.
- As you start this new chapter, may God give you wisdom, courage and good friends. Happy 18th.
- We thank God for the gift of you, today and every day. Happy 21st.
What to Put in the Card Besides a Message
Many families tuck in a photo from each year, a short letter, or cash or a gift card. If you include money, mention it in the card so it does not get thrown out with the envelope. For an 18th birthday, some parents write a letter to be opened at 21 and put it in the same card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write in an 18th birthday card?
Wish them a happy 18th by name, tell them one thing you are proud of, and add a wish for what comes next, such as college, a first job or simply a great year.
What is a good message for a 21st birthday?
Keep it warm and a little fun: "Happy 21st! Celebrate safely and have a great night" works for almost anyone. From a parent, add a line about how proud you are.
Is it OK to joke about drinking in a 21st birthday card?
A light joke is fine for a friend who will enjoy it. From a parent, grandparent or coworker, keep it simple and wish them a safe and happy celebration.
Need more ideas? See our guide to what to write in a birthday card, our graduation wishes if the birthday lands near graduation, or use the Message Finder. Our Happy Birthday Assorted set is blank inside, so any of these messages will fit. See all birthday cards.
Milestone birthday wishes: sweet 16, 18th and 21st, 30th and 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th, 80th and 90th.
