A birthday card does not need to be long. A few honest lines that sound like you will mean more than a clever verse. This guide has birthday wishes for almost anyone, plus a simple way to write your own.
Below you will find short birthday wishes, wishes for anyone, heartfelt messages, wishes for family, friends and coworkers, milestone, funny, religious and belated birthday wishes, and links to our full guides for each person you might be writing to.
Article contents
- How to Write a Birthday Card
- Short Birthday Wishes
- Happy Birthday Wishes for Anyone
- Heartfelt Birthday Wishes
- Birthday Wishes for Family
- Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Birthday Wishes for a Coworker or Boss
- Milestone Birthday Wishes
- Funny Birthday Wishes
- Religious Birthday Wishes
- Belated Birthday Wishes
- Birthday Wishes by Who You Are Writing To
- How to Sign a Birthday Card
- What Not to Write
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Write a Birthday Card
- Start with "Happy birthday" and their name.
- Add one personal line. A memory, an inside joke or something you admire about them.
- Wish them well for the year ahead.
- Sign off warmly. "Love," "Cheers," or "Your friend," then your name.
Example: "Happy birthday, Sarah! I still laugh every time I think about our road trip to Maine and that flat tire. I hope this year brings you as much fun as you bring everyone else. Love, Jess"
Short Birthday Wishes
Short wishes work well on a group card, a note on a gift, or when you want to keep it simple.
- Happy birthday! I hope today is everything you wanted.
- Many happy returns of the day.
- Happy birthday! Take it easy and let someone else do the dishes.
- Happy birthday! I hope the year ahead is full of good surprises.
- Happy birthday! Here's to twelve good months ahead.
- Sending you lots of love on your birthday.
- Happy birthday! Have some cake for me.
- Sending good thoughts your way on your birthday.
- Happy birthday to someone who is always kind, even when it is hard.
- Happy birthday! Celebrate big today.
Happy Birthday Wishes for Anyone
These fit almost anyone: a neighbor, a friend of a friend, someone at church or a person you don't know well.
- Happy birthday! I hope your table is full and your phone keeps ringing.
- Happy birthday! May this be the year all your good plans come together.
- Happy birthday! I hope you get to spend the day doing exactly what you love.
- Wishing you a relaxing birthday and a year ahead that treats you well.
- Happy birthday! Thank you for being such a bright spot in our neighborhood.
- I hope this birthday brings you something to smile about. Enjoy it.
- Happy birthday! Wishing you health, happiness and a little adventure this year.
- Hope your birthday is filled with calls from people who love you.
Heartfelt Birthday Wishes
For someone who means a lot to you, say it plainly. These heartfelt birthday wishes work for a close friend, a parent, a partner or anyone you are grateful for.
- The world is a warmer place with you in it. Happy birthday.
- I don't say it often enough, so here it is: I'm so grateful for you. Happy birthday.
- Through every move, every job and every late-night phone call, you have been there. Happy birthday.
- Of all the people I get to celebrate, you are one of my favorites. Happy birthday.
- I hope this year gives back some of the kindness you give everyone else.
- Another year of knowing you is another year I'm thankful for. Happy birthday.
- Happy birthday to the person who always shows up. I love you for it.
- You make the people around you feel at home. I'm lucky to be one of them.
- Here's to you, and to all the ways you make life better for the rest of us.
- My life is richer because you are in it. Happy birthday, with all my heart.
Birthday Wishes for Family
For more ideas for each person, use the links in the list at the end of this guide.
- Happy birthday, Mom. Every good memory I have has you in it somewhere.
- Happy birthday, Dad. Thank you for always being in our corner.
- Happy birthday to the best big sister. You still make me laugh like no one else.
- Happy birthday, son. You make being your parents easy.
- Happy birthday to our daughter. Being your parents is our favorite job.
- Happy birthday, Grandma. Your kitchen will always feel like home.
- Happy birthday to my favorite cousin and my oldest partner in crime.
- Happy birthday to my husband. Here is to another year of us.
Birthday Wishes for a Friend
- Happy birthday to the friend who knows exactly when I need a call.
- Another year of friendship with you is the best gift I could get. Happy birthday.
- Happy birthday! Dinner is on me this weekend, and so is dessert.
- I'm so glad life put you in my path. Happy birthday, friend.
- Happy birthday to someone who makes ordinary days more fun.
- Cheers to you and to many more years of inside jokes.
Birthday Wishes for a Coworker or Boss
- Happy birthday! Thanks for making the office a better place to be.
- Happy birthday! Hope your inbox stays quiet today.
- Happy birthday from your friends down the hall.
- Happy birthday! Thanks for all the help, the snacks and the good humor.
- Happy birthday to a boss who makes the hard days easier.
- Hope you get to leave early and enjoy some cake. Happy birthday!
Milestone Birthday Wishes
For a big birthday, name the number and add one line about the years behind them or the year ahead. We have full guides for sweet 16, 18th and 21st, 30th and 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays.
- Congratulations on your first quarter century! Happy 25th birthday!
- Happy 30th birthday! You make turning 30 look like the easiest thing in the world.
- Happy 50th birthday, and welcome to the club.
- "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." (Mark Twain) Happy birthday.
- Here's to another trip around the sun, and many more after it.
- Happy 65th birthday! We hope this year brings you plenty of time for the things you love.
Funny Birthday Wishes
- Happy birthday! Don't worry, the cake has fewer calories if you eat it standing up.
- Happy birthday! Still no one knows how to fold a fitted sheet, but you are close.
- Happy birthday! This card is your gift. It is recycled, so it counts as thoughtful.
- You're not getting older. You're just becoming a classic.
- Happy birthday to someone who is aging much better than the rest of us.
- Happy birthday! I would bake you a cake, but I love you too much to do that to you.
Religious Birthday Wishes
- Happy birthday! May God bless you with a year of peace and joy.
- Happy birthday! You are a gift from God to everyone who knows you.
- Praying for a year of good health, strong faith and many blessings for you.
- Happy birthday. May God's goodness follow you all the days of this new year.
Belated Birthday Wishes
- Happy belated birthday! I'm late, but my wishes are just as sincere.
- I missed the day, but I didn't forget you. Happy belated birthday.
- Sorry this card is late. I hope your birthday week was wonderful.
- Happy birthday, a few days late and with extra love.
For more, see our funny birthday wishes, religious birthday greetings, belated birthday wishes, birthday wishes for a coworker and happy heavenly birthday messages.
Birthday Wishes by Who You Are Writing To
For more specific ideas, see our birthday wishes for Mom, Dad, your husband, your wife, your sister, your brother, your son, your daughter, a cousin, an aunt or uncle, a niece or nephew, in-laws, Grandma, Grandpa, grandchildren and a friend.
How to Sign a Birthday Card
Match the sign-off to how close you are. "Love," "Love always," and "Hugs" suit family and close friends. "Cheers," "Best wishes," and "Warmly" suit coworkers and neighbors. For a group card, write a short line and sign your first name. See our full guide to how to sign a card.
What Not to Write
- Jokes about age, weight or looks for someone you don't know well.
- Complaints about your own week. Keep the card about them.
- Only your name. Add at least one line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write in a birthday card?
Start with "Happy birthday" and their name, add one personal line such as a memory or something you admire, and wish them a great year. Three or four sentences is enough.
What is a good short birthday message?
"Happy birthday! Hope it's a great one" and "Wishing you all the best today and always" both work for almost anyone, including a group card.
What do you write in a birthday card for someone you don't know well?
Keep it warm and simple: "Happy birthday! I hope your day is full of good food and good company." Sign your full name so they know who it is from.
How do you end a birthday card?
Close with "Love," "Cheers," or "Best wishes," depending on how close you are, then sign your name.
Our birthday cards are printed on 100% recycled paper, come in boxed sets with envelopes and are blank inside, so any of these messages will fit. Try the Message Finder or see all birthday cards.
