81 Happy Birthday Wishes to Write in Any Birthday Card
Brittany Barber
Contributor
Writing happy birthday wishes can be both fun and challenging, especially as you try to hone in on the right tone. It all depends on who the birthday card is for, and whether you'd like to dig deep and get sentimental or craft a casual and funny message. The best way to start is with a simple, friendly greeting and to say happy birthday in a way that feels natural to you.
Think about a shared memory or an inside joke that can add a personal touch. You also might want to steer toward a fun and conversational vibe, as if you were chatting with the person in real life. Adding a punch of humor or a heartfelt compliment can make your message even more special—especially if the recipient is celebrating a special milestone birthday.
What to Write in a Birthday Card
Wondering what to write in a birthday card? Well, this guide offers tailored suggestions based on your relationship with the birthday celebrant, as well as ideas on how to make your message comedic or special. We've also included a section with themed birthday wishes, in case you want to match your card with their party theme, along with happy birthday quotes to include in your card, so you can pull inspiration from an iconic one-liner.
Simple Birthday Wishes
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Keep things short and sweet by getting straight to the point with your birthday message. These simple birthday wishes are perfect for including in a card, but you could also send them as a text message or comment on social media, too.
- Enjoy your special day!
- Celebrate big!
- Have an amazing birthday!
- Cheers to you on your birthday!
- Happy Birthday! Make it a memorable one.
- Sending you lots of love on your birthday.
- Wishing you the best birthday ever!
- Here's to another year of wonderful you.
- Happy birthday! Enjoy your day to the fullest!
Funny Happy Birthday Wishes
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Writing funny birthday wishes is all about bringing a smile to the birthday person's face. Use clever puns, playful jokes, or light-hearted roasts that match their sense of humor. Keep it fun and cheerful, ensuring your birthday message is all in good spirits. Consider organizing a singing telegram if you want to send truly memorable happy birthday wishes.
- Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you.
- Don't worry about getting older; you're still going to do dumb stuff, only slower.
- Remember, you're not [insert age here]; you're 18 with [XX] years of experience.
- Cheers to you! You’re officially the oldest you’ve ever been!
- Happy birthday! May your Facebook wall be filled with messages from people you never talk to.
- Just think of it as being one year closer to a senior discount.
- I hope your day is as amazing as your hair in high school.
- Age is just a number, but in your case, it's a really high number.
- Happy birthday! Don't count the candles; it’ll take too long!
Special Birthday Wishes
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When it's a milestone celebration like a 21st birthday, 30th or 50th, your special birthday wishes should reflect the importance of this important day. Include a meaningful quote or a personal memory to make it extra special.
- Wishing you a special birthday that’s just as amazing as you are.
- Cheers to a year filled with love, joy and unforgettable moments.
- May this special day bring you endless happiness.
- Celebrating you and the incredible person you are.
- May your [XXth] birthday be the start of a year full of blessings and joy.
- Happy birthday! May all your wishes come true today and always.
- Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter and everything you enjoy most.
- May your birthday be filled with special moments and wonderful memories.
Birthday Wishes for Coworkers
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Sending birthday wishes to coworkers should be professional, but warm and personal. Start by acknowledging their special day, then mention a positive quality or achievement of theirs to show your appreciation for their contributions. You might want to get a big group card your other colleagues can sign, and give it to them during an office party in their honor.
- Have a great birthday! Here’s to another year of excellence and achievement.
- Wishing you a fantastic birthday and a year full of success!
- Enjoy your birthday! May your year be filled with wonderful moments.
- Happy birthday to a fantastic coworker and an even better friend.
- Happy birthday! Here’s to another great year of working together.
- Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a stellar year ahead.
- Have an amazing birthday! Thanks for bringing so much to our team.
- Happy birthday! Thanks for being a great excuse to eat cake at work.
- Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year filled with prosperity.
Birthday Wishes for Daughters
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When crafting happy birthday wishes for a daughter, express your love and pride in her. Highlight her unique qualities and achievements, and let her know how much she means to you. Using these phrases, wish her happiness, success and fulfillment in the coming year.
- Happy birthday to my amazing daughter! You make me proud every single day.
- Wishing my beautiful daughter a day filled with love, joy and magic.
- Happy birthday, sweet girl! May your day be as wonderful as you are.
- Happy birthday! You are my sunshine, and I love you more than words can say.
- Happy birthday to the girl who stole my heart from the moment she was born.
- To my incredible daughter, happy birthday! Keep shining bright.
- Happy Birthday! Watching you grow into the person you are today is my greatest joy.
- To my daughter, on your special day, know that you are deeply loved.
- To my beloved daughter, may your birthday be filled with magic and wonderful surprises.
Birthday Wishes for Sons
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As with writing birthday wishes for a daughter, you'll want to express your love and pride for your son in his birthday card. Mention memorable moments and hopes for his future, while keeping the tone warm and encouraging.
- Happy birthday, son! You make everyday brighter just by being you.
- Wishing you a birthday filled with all your favorite things!
- Happy birthday to my amazing son! I'm so proud of you.
- Happy Birthday! You are the greatest gift I've ever received.
- Wishing you endless happiness and love on your birthday, son.
- Happy birthday to the one who makes our lives complete.
- Hope your birthday is filled with adventure and joy.
- Happy birthday! You are my pride and joy.
- Wishing you a day full of fun and a year full of success.
Birthday Wishes for Him
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If you're looking for ways to craft birthday wishes for him, feel free to get heartfelt and personal, reflecting the unique bond you share. Start by expressing your genuine feelings and appreciation for him, and highlight a special memory or your favorite things about him.
- Happy birthday to the one who makes my heart skip a beat.
- Another year older, but still the same heartthrob. Happy Birthday, love!
- Wishing the happiest of birthdays to my favorite person in the world.
- Happy birthday! You're the peanut butter to my jelly.
- To the man who stole my heart, happy birthday!
- Happy birthday to my partner in crime and in love.
- Happy birthday! Let’s make this year even more special than the last.
- To the love of my life, happy birthday. Here’s to many more together.
- Happy birthday to my best friend and my rock. I love you more each day.
- Happy birthday to the guy who makes my world a better place.
Birthday Wishes for Her
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Like writing birthday wishes for him (or any romantic partner), birthday wishes for her should focus on expressing genuine affection and appreciation. Make note of her endearing qualities and the joy she brings to your life.
- To the girl who gives me butterflies, happy birthday!
- Happy birthday, beautiful! You light up my life.
- Cheers to the love of my life on her special day!
- Happy birthday to my favorite person in the whole wide world.
- Wishing the happiest of birthdays to my one and only.
- Happy birthday to the queen of my heart!
- On your special day, I just want to remind you how much I adore you.
- You're my everything. Happy birthday, love!
- Happy birthday to the woman who stole my heart.
Happy Birthday Quotes
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If you're looking for inspiring words to include in your happy birthday message, consider one of these quotes.
- "Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears." – John Lennon
- "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." – Oprah Winfrey
- "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." – C.S. Lewis
- "It takes a long time to become young." – Pablo Picasso
- "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age." – Lucille Ball
- "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be." – Robert Browning
- "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you." – Dr. Seuss
- "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." – Mahatma Gandhi
- "You don't get older, you get better." – Shirley Bassey
Themed Happy Birthday Wishes
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Themed birthday wishes are a great way to personalize your greetings to match the party's theme. For a Bridgerton-themed party, for example, you might start it off with something like, "Dearest Reader, this author wishes you a splendid birthday indeed." If the theme is Mamma Mia, "Happy Birthday, dancing queen! Just like the songs of ABBA, you light up my life." For a Taylor Swift theme, infuse a few of her lyrics to write, "We've loved you [XX] summers now" or "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22."
Of course, these will entirely depend on the party theme your birthday celebrant chooses, so feel free to brainstorm and get creative.
Read more birthday celebration ideas on The Bash.
