What to write in a birthday card

Whether you opt for a classic great-value birthday card, a personalised birthday card, or a birthday photo card, it’s important to fill it with thoughtful Happy Birthday wishes that’ll make the recipient smile. We’re here to help you pen the perfect Happy Birthday message - be it for a friend, family member or colleague.

Are they celebrating a milestone? Whether they’re turning 1, 10 or 100, we have birthday messages perfect for special age cards. We also have a great selection of birthday gifts available online, suitable for absolutely everyone in your life.

Check out some of our top tips and discover what to write in a birthday card to make their special day even more memorable.

Birthday wishes for your friend

Looking for funny birthday wishes for your best friend? Perhaps it’s sentimental happy birthday wishes for a friend you’d prefer? Either way, we have some fabulous message ideas to choose from below.

"Wishing my partner in crime, confidant, and all-around amazing friend the happiest of birthdays. Here's to more adventures together!"
“To the friend who’s been with me through thick and thin, I wish you a birthday filled with joy, love, and all the happiness you deserve.”
"Another year, another adventure with the best friend anyone could ask for! May your birthday be as awesome as you are.”
"Getting older is like a software update - mostly annoying, but you get some cool new features. Happy Birthday!"
"Another year older, but let's not count the candles. They tend to cause house fires. Happy Birthday!"
"Congrats on reaching the age where your back goes out more than you do. Happy Birthday, old sport!"
"Wishing you a birthday filled with the same joy and kindness you've always shared with me. Cheers to a friend who makes the world a better place."
“Happy Birthday to the friend who shares my joys, understands my struggles, and makes life's journey so much brighter. Here's to you!"
“To my best friend, my rock, and my biggest supporter, Happy Birthday!”
"Happy Birthday to the one who still remembers my embarrassing moments from years ago. Thanks for not bringing them up every day!”
“Your presence in my life is a gift that I treasure beyond words. May your day be filled with the same happiness you bring to others."
"To my best friend, who has been with me through thick and thin, I hope your birthday is as beautiful as you are.”

Birthday messages for Dad

Need a little inspiration on what to write in a birthday card for dad? Don’t worry, we have some great birthday wishes for dads to choose from, which you can use as-is, or amend to suit him perfectly.

"Dad, Happy Birthday! Keep those Dad Jokes coming - they're an art form."
"Cheers, Dad! May your day be as awesome as your handyman skills."
"Happy Birthday! Thanks for being the calm in my storm, Dad."
"Dad, on your special day, thanks for being my role model and favourite comedian!"
“Happy Birthday to the man who not only taught me to ride a bike but also how to navigate the journey of life. Your lessons are the greatest gifts I've ever received."
"Dad, on your special day, I want you to know that you are not just a father; you are a source of inspiration and strength. May your birthday be as incredible as you are.”
"Dad, you're not just a year older today; you're a year wiser, cooler, and more legendary. Keep on rocking! Happy Birthday!"
"To the world's best Dad, Happy Birthday! Your wisdom and love mean the world to me."
"To the man who taught me life's greatest lessons, Happy Birthday! Your guidance has shaped who I am. Love you, Dad!"
"Thanks for everything, Dad. Hope your special day is filled with all the things you love the most. Happy Birthday!”

Birthday messages for Mum

Penning the perfect birthday message for mum’s card can be tough, but not to worry - we have plenty of ideas right here. Discover what to write in a birthday card for mum, with messages to suit her personality perfectly.

"Happy Birthday, Mum! Your love brightens my world every day. Wishing you a day as amazing as you are!"
"To the woman who made me who I am today, Happy Birthday. Your wisdom and warmth make every day brighter."
"Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and all the happiness you deserve. Happy Birthday, Mum.”
“Thanks for everything, Mum. Wishing you a very happy birthday filled with all the things that make you happy.”
"Mum, you're not getting older; you're just increasing in value. Like a fine wine or a rare collectible. Happy Birthday!"
"Happy Birthday, Mum! If ageing were a crime, you'd be serving a life sentence."
“Mum, on your birthday, I want to thank you for the countless lessons, the endless love, and the unwavering support. You’re my hero!”
"Wishing the most wonderful Mum a Happy Birthday! May your day be filled with the joy you've brought into my life."
"Happy Birthday, Mum! Your love is the thread that weaves our family together. Have an amazing day.”
Mum, thanks for the perfect genes. Hope you have the best birthday ever!”

Birthday messages for Son

Wish him a very happy birthday in your own special way using our helpful suggestions as a guide. If you’re wondering what to write in a birthday card for a son, we have plenty of ideas in our collection of unique, fun and thoughtful birthday wishes for sons.

“Happy Birthday, Son. Today I reflect on the moments we've shared and the incredible person you've become. May your year ahead be filled with happiness."
“Son - keep dreaming big, working hard and reaching for the stars. Happy Birthday! I love you to the moon and back.”
“Another candle on the cake, another adventure awaits! Happy Birthday, Son!”
“Son, you’re simply the best. Hope your birthday brings you everything you’ve been dreaming of.”
“Happy Birthday, Son! You're not old; you're just a classic, like vintage wine or a retro video game. Embrace the nostalgia and have a blast!”
“Son, you're ageing like a fine cheese – stinky but getting better with time! Happy Birthday.”
“On your special day, I want you to know how immensely proud I am to call you my Son. Have an amazing birthday, with love.”
“Happy Birthday to an awesome Son - may your cake be as lit as you are!”
“Cheers to the guy who inherited my good looks and charm. Happy Birthday Son.”
“From your first steps to the person you are today, each moment holds a cherished place in my heart. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Son.”

Birthday messages for Daughter

Need help with what to write in a birthday card for a daughter? Keep reading, because we have plenty of birthday wishes for daughters to explore - including funny and thoughtful options, so you can choose one that suits her down to the ground.

“Happy Birthday, my beautiful Daughter! On this special day, I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of the amazing person you've become.”
"Wishing my Daughter a day filled with love, laughter, and not a single embarrassing childhood story. You're welcome!"
“Daughter, as you celebrate another year, may you continue to shine brightly, follow your dreams, and always know how deeply you are loved.”
“To my incredible Daughter on your special day, Happy Birthday! I love you more than words can say.”
Daughter, I’m so proud of you! Have the incredible birthday you truly deserve. Love you loads.”
“Happy Birthday, dear Daughter! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.”
"Wishing you a day as bright and beautiful as your selfies, and a year ahead filled with more likes than you can count! Happy Birthday, Daughter!"
“May this year bring you success and endless happiness. Cheers to you, my wonderful Daughter.”
"Congratulations on surviving another year with me as your parent! You deserve a medal... or at least a really big slice of cake. Happy Birthday!"
"Wishing the happiest of birthdays to my incredible Daughter! Your strength and kindness make every day brighter."

Birthday messages for Boyfriend

Discover what to write in a birthday card for a boyfriend. Our special birthday wishes for boyfriends include cheeky, fun and heartfelt options, so all you have to do is choose the one that suits your boyfriend best.

“Happy Birthday to the guy who makes my heart skip a beat! May your day be as incredible as you are.”
“Congratulations on surviving another year with me as your girlfriend! You deserve a medal, but for now, accept this birthday card. Love you, you brave soul!"
“You're not old, you’re well-seasoned, like a fine steak. Cheers to another flavourful year together!"
“Wishing my amazing Boyfriend a day filled with love, laughter, and all the things that make you smile. Happy Birthday!”
“Boyfriend, you fill my life with joy and love. May your birthday be as special as you've made my life.”
“Happy Birthday to my partner in crime, my Boyfriend and my very best friend. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“On your special day, I want you to know how much you mean to me. Here's to celebrating the incredible Boyfriend you are. Happy Birthday!"
“On your birthday, I wanted to give you something amazing, but then I remembered you already have me! Have the best birthday ever.”
"Happy birthday to the guy who knows how to turn up the heat! Get ready for some sizzling fun!"
“To my amazing Boyfriend, here's to many more very happy birthdays together. I love you endlessly!"

Birthday messages for Girlfriend

If you’re unsure what to write in a birthday card for your girlfriend, we can help! Explore our selection of birthday wishes for girlfriends and get inspired. You’re sure to find the perfect words to make her smile as she celebrates her special day.

“To my incredible Girlfriend - wishing you a day as lovely as you are. May this year be filled with love, success, and all your heart desires.”
“On your special day, I want you to feel as cherished and loved as you make me feel every day. Happy Birthday, sweetheart!”
“Wishing my extraordinary Girlfriend a day filled with laughter and surprises. Happy Birthday, I love you!”
“Cheers to the one who laughs at my jokes, even when they're not that funny. Happy birthday to you, my amazing girlfriend!”
“Girlfriend; let's turn up the heat on your special day. Happy birthday - hope it’s as saucy and sensational as you are!”
"Happy birthday to the girl who not only steals my heart, but also my snacks! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and as many of my fries as you like.”
"Happy birthday to the girl who knows me better than anyone else and still chooses to be with me! Love you loads.”
Happy birthday to the woman I love. Thank you for being a perfect Girlfriend; here’s to many more years celebrating your special day together.”
"Happy birthday to you, my gorgeous Girlfriend. Looking forward to another year of adventures, inside jokes, and finding humour in the little things."
"To my Girlfriend on your birthday - hope it brings everything you’ve been dreaming of and more. I love you.”

Birthday messages for Husband

Explore our ideas on what to write in a birthday card for a husband, and discover the perfect way to get your point across on his special day. Take a look at some of our birthday wishes for husbands and find the right words to make him smile.

"Happy Birthday to the love of my life! Here’s to another year of laughter, adventures, and making memories together."
"Wishing the most amazing Husband a day filled with joy, surprises, and all the things that make you smile! I hope your birthday is just as special as you are to me."
"To my incredible Husband on your special day. Time to celebrate you, and the wonderful journey we continue to share together."
"Happy Birthday, my love! May your day be filled with all the things that make you happy. I’m grateful to be by your side.”
“On your special day I want to remind you how amazing you are and how much you mean to me. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband.”
“Happy Birthday to the man who stole my heart and continues to make every day brighter! So grateful to have you as my husband.”
"Happy Birthday Husband. You still look hot, even with a few extra candles on the cake!”
"Happy Birthday, Hubby! Remember, age is like underwear. It creeps up on you when you least expect it.”
“Husband, I love you more with each passing year. Hope your birthday is filled with all of the things you enjoy the most.”
"Another year older and wiser? Well, at least you're half right! Happy Birthday, Husband - may your day be as entertaining as your dad jokes!"

Birthday messages for Wife

Get inspired by our birthday wishes for your wife. Discover the perfect way to wish the woman you love a very Happy Birthday. Our ideas on what to write in a birthday card for your wife will give you plenty to go on.

“Wife, your love is the greatest gift. I feel like the luckiest person alive; here's to a day as beautiful as the love we share!"
"Cheers to the woman who's only getting better with age! Happy Birthday, my forever young and fabulous Wife!"
"Wishing the most incredible woman in my life the happiest birthday ever! Your presence fills my days with laughter, warmth, and endless love.
"Wishing the woman who has it all – beauty, brains, and the incredible patience to put up with me – the happiest of birthdays.”
"To my beautiful wife, Happy Birthday! Your love is the melody that makes my heart dance. I love you more with each passing day."
"Congratulations, my dear Wife, on successfully completing another trip around the sun! I promise to make the next one just as adventurous.”
“Happy Birthday, my gorgeous Wife! May this year be filled with dreams come true and moments that take your breath away."
Your beauty continues to captivate me every day. Wishing you, my wonderful Wife, a day filled with everything your heart desires."
"To the woman who stole my last name and my heart, happy birthday! I must be the luckiest person alive to have you as my partner in crime.”
"Sending special wishes to the love of my life on your birthday. Thank you for being such an amazing Wife.”

Birthday messages for Grandmother or Grandfather

Discover heartfelt birthday wishes for a grandmother or granddad online. These ideas on what to write in a birthday card for your grandma or a birthday card for your grandad, can be changed depending how you refer to them - be it nanna, granny, pops or gramps.

“Happy Birthday, Grandpa/Grandma! Your wisdom and love have beautifully shaped our family. May this year bring you the wonderful moments you truly deserve.”
“Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the most amazing Grandparent! Your love is a guiding light in our lives, and today, we celebrate the incredible person you are.”
“To the world's greatest Grandparent. Your laughter is contagious, your stories are captivating, and your love is irreplaceable. May your special day be extraordinary.”
“Happy Birthday, Grandpa/Grandma! On this special day, may you be surrounded by love, joy, and the company of those who cherish you just as much as we do.”
“Wishing the most wonderful Grandparent a birthday filled with smiles, laughter, and all the things that make your heart happy. May this year be your best one yet!”
“Happy Birthday, Grandma/Grandpa! May your day be filled with the same happiness you've given us over the years.
“To the pillar of our family, Happy Birthday! Your guidance and love have been a constant source of support.”
“Wishing the most amazing Grandparent a day filled with all the things that bring you happiness. Have the perfect birthday you truly deserve.”
“Happy Birthday, Grandma/Grandpa! Your kindness and warmth are like a comforting cuddle. Hope today is filled with the same love and happiness you've shown me.”
“To the matriarch/patriarch of the family. Have an amazing birthday filled with everything you love the most.”

Birthday messages for Sister

Check out our ideas on what to write in a birthday card for your sister. However old she’s turning, we have birthday wishes for a sister who’s celebrating her very special day. Take a look and choose some words that truly resonate.

"Happy Birthday to the one who knows all my secrets and still loves me unconditionally – my incredible Sister!”
“Cheers to the amazing bond we share, and here's to many more years of making memories together. Happy Birthday, Sis!"
"To the one who's been my partner in crime and a source of endless support – Happy Birthday, dear Sister! May your day be bright and beautiful.”
"Happy Birthday to the most fabulous Sister ever! You add so much colour to my life, and I'm grateful for the countless memories we've created.”
"Sis, you're not just a year older, but a year wiser and more amazing! May your birthday be as incredible as you are.”
“Happy Birthday Sister! May your day be filled with love, surprises, and all the things that make you smile."
"To the Sister who brings sunshine into my life, Happy Birthday! Your warmth and kindness never cease to amaze me. May your day be just as bright and cheerful as you are."
“You’re not just my Sister, you’re my best friend too. Happy Birthday, life wouldn't be the same without you, and I'm grateful for every moment we've shared.”
"Sis, as you blow out the candles on your cake, know you're not just getting older but also more fabulous! Wishing you a day filled with the things that make you happy.”
“Sister, may your special day be as wonderful and extraordinary as you are. Here's to another year of laughter and love."

Birthday messages for Brother

If you’d like ideas on what to write in a birthday card for a brother, keep reading! We’ve collected some birthday wishes for brothers, perfect for wishing him a really great day in an extra-special way this year.

"Happy Birthday to the coolest Brother in the world! Hope your day is filled with all the things you love.”
"To the best Brother anyone could ask for – Happy Birthday! May your day be as awesome and epic as you are."
“Happy Birthday to my role model, my protector, and my source of laughter. Here's to celebrating the amazing person you are!"
"Happy Birthday to the guy who never fails to make me laugh and always has my back. Here's to another year of adventures, shared jokes, and unforgettable moments."
"Happy Birthday to the Brother who makes family gatherings a whole lot more fun! May your day be as entertaining and joyful as the times we've shared together."
"Happy Birthday, Bro! Remember, age is just a number. Although, in your case, it's a number that's getting suspiciously high.”
“You know you're getting on a bit when the candles cost more than the cake. Happy Birthday to you, my wiser – but mainly older – Brother.”
“You're not getting older; you're just upgrading to a newer model. Let's hope the warranty covers those creaky joints and forgetful moments. Enjoy your birthday, Bro.”
"Happy Birthday to my Brother. As you add another candle to the cake, just remember – you're not getting older; you're increasing your value as a vintage classic.”
“Here's to you, the incredible person you are, and to the bond that makes life so much richer. Have a wonderful birthday, brother.”

Funny birthday wishes

Sending a funny birthday card to someone who loves a good laugh? Why not poke some fun at their age and give them a cheeky giggle with our collection of funny happy birthday wishes, which are perfect for anyone with a good sense of humour?

"Happy birthday! May your candles cost more than your cake – at least that way, you're investing in something that lasts longer!"
"Happy birthday! Remember, age is just a number... a big, loud number that keeps getting bigger and louder every year!"
"Wishing you a day as fantastic as you are; may your wrinkles only be visible when you're smiling! Happy birthday.”
"Happy birthday! Hope your day is as bright as your future and as unfazed by gravity as your hairline."
“May your birthday be filled with so much joy and laughter that you forget how old you are... until you try to stand up, that is!"
“Don’t let ageing get you down – after all, you’d only have to get back up again! Have a great day.”
“They say age is a matter of the mind, and if you don't mind, then it don’t matter! Cheers to you on your birthday.”

Birthday messages for colleague

If you’re celebrating a work friend’s birthday but are unsure what to write in a card for a colleague, we can help. Below are some examples of birthday wishes for colleagues you can write in their card, or make more personal.

"Happy birthday, [NAME]! May your day be as productive as our Monday meetings are not. Here's to a year of great teamwork and even greater cake!"
"Wishing you a fantastic birthday, [NAME]! May your coffee be strong, your projects be successful, and your inbox be miraculously empty."
"Happy birthday! Another year wiser, another year of enduring our office shenanigans. You're not just a great colleague; you're a fab friend, too.”
May your birthday be filled with fewer spreadsheets and more confetti. Here's to celebrating you – the real reason we all love coming to work!”
"Happy birthday, [NAME]! May all of your meetings be short. Today, let's make your workload as light as the office banter!"
"Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, [NAME]! Today, here’s hoping your projects are as successful as your ability to deal with ridiculous deadlines!"
"Happy birthday! May your day be filled with surprises that are as pleasant as finding an empty printer tray.”

How to sign off a birthday card

If you’re looking for unique alternatives to ‘love from’ or ‘best wishes’, take a look at our fabulous sign-off suggestions, to make their birthday card stand out from the crowd.

Hugs and high-fives,
Party on!
Stay awesome,
To more adventures,
Celebrating you,
Happy Birthday cheers,
Sending smiles your way,
With joyful thoughts,
Wishing you a fantastic year ahead,

Birthday card writing tips

Here are some helpful tips on what to include in your loved one’s birthday card:

Personal memories or inside jokes
Include references to special shared moments, or funny anecdotes only they will understand.

Compliments
Put a smile on their face by highlighting qualities that make the birthday person so special.

Quotes or poems
Add a meaningful birthday quote or an excerpt of poetry that captures the sentiment.

Creative touches
Why not decorate the inside of their card with fun doodles or stickers to brighten it up?

Wishes for the future
Express enthusiasm for potential new adventures and growth in the coming year.

Now you’re all set to pen the perfect birthday card message

We hope you’ve found the perfect way to wish your friend, colleague or relative a very Happy Birthday. Whether you’ve opted for a funny message or something more sentimental, we’re sure the recipient of your birthday card will feel the love on their very special day.

Don’t forget to sign up for more celebration tips while you’re online! We’ll send you plenty of inspiration for all of your upcoming events, along with fab offers on a huge range of cards, gifts and party essentials.