What to Write in a Birthday Card

You have many options when it comes to writing a birthday card message.  You can be funny and make light of aging, or you could be inspirational about the meaning of the person's life.  Think about the person for whom you are writing the message and what you think he or she would appreciate most.  The following are examples of funny and serious messages that you could include in a card, on Facebook, or even say in person.

Think of something interesting and specific to the person and include it in your message.  For example, if the person is a golfer, then make a reference to golfing in your message.  This will show that you are not only creative, but that you also know the person well enough to make a personal reference or an inside joke.  Birthdays are a great time to be funny, but be careful not to offend the person.

Birthday Messages


  1. A birth is a beautiful thing, especially when it results in a beautiful person like you.  That’s why I celebrate your birthday.
  2. Your birthday is a good reminder to me that you are actually just a human being.  Sometimes I start to think of you as a super hero because of all that you are able to do.
  3. You birthday would just be any other normal day if it wasn’t for such an awesome person being born on that special day.
  4. If Scientists try to tell you they know when the world was created, ask them which day we should celebrate as Earth’s birthday.  Make sure to ask what presents the Earth would like too.
  5. Each year that you find yourself still alive is a good reason to celebrate.  That’s what makes birthdays more special the older you get.
  6. Happy Birthday to one of the coolest people I know.
  7. Even though you are getting older today, you're still my (son, brother, daughter, sister) and I'll always treat you that way.
  8. Your life has been a blessing to so many people, that your birthday is a celebration for all of us who know you.
  9. Keep aging like a fine wine.  Happy Birthday
  10. I can't imagine my world without you.  Happy birthday to you and me!
  11. Get older, but don't change too much because I like you just the way you are now.  Happy Birthday.
  12. You're birthday should be a national holiday.  I would love a day off work to hang out with you.  Happy birthday!
  13. Keep having birthdays because I like having you around.
  14. Happy birthday to someone I learn from, admire, and appreciate.
  15. Birthdays are a great time to treat yourself to something nice.  Here's a little something to give you a nice birthday. (Include a gift card or money)

Birthday Wishes


  1. Happy birthday! I hope you feel special and have a great day.  You are one of the coolest people I know.
  2. On your birthday, keep in mind that your Father in heaven knew you even before you were born.  He decided to create you as the special person you are. 
  3. Here’s a question to ask yourself each time you have a birthday.  There are many things that get better with age and many that get worse with age.  Which type will you be?  Something that gets better like wine, or something that gets worse with age like French fries.
  4. It's your birthday! Party, eat cake, open presents, blow out candles, and make a wish.
  5. Wishing you an awesome birthday.
  6. Eat cake, open presents, and have an awesome birthday!
  7. I hope you have the best birthday you have ever had in your ___ years.
  8. You are just old enough to really enjoy your birthday.  Happy Birthday.
  9. Wishing you a youthful feeling birthday.
  10. Best wishes on your birthday from your happy birthday wisher.
  11. Don't forget to include me in your birthday wishes when you blow out your candles.
  12. Wishing you another great year of happiness and prosperity
  13. I wish I could be there on your birthday, but I am sending my love to you
  14. Have the kind of birthday that only comes along once in a lifetime!

Birthday Sayings


  1. If birthdays were celebrated every week instead of every year, there would be a lot more happy people in this world.
  2. You can assume anyone turning 39 for the second time is at least 40.
  3. Getting older is just part of life, and the other parts are even worse. (Pessimistic birthday saying)
  4. The older you get the more disoriented your hair gets.  Once it leaves your head, it seems to get lost.
  5. The old pessimist focuses on his growing number.  The old optimist focuses on his growing blessings.
  6. Some sayings just don’t seem to hold up in certain situations for example, “The more the merrier.” This doesn’t hold true when you are talking about aging another year.
  7. Some things are better with age. Too bad you aren't one of them. (Funny birthday saying)
  8. You're not old, you're just well seasoned.  Just like cold fries that are over salted. Funny birthday saying
  9. I decided to keep having birthdays because it beats the alternative... Death.  (Funny birthday saying)
  10. Each year you get a little wiser, but you still get to act stupid on your birthday!
  11. Birthdays are like pizza, even when they are bad, they are still pretty good.
  12. It's funny that we celebrate a day that most of us don't even remember, our birthdays.
  13. Two things that are inevitable for any living person... birthdays and taxes.
  14. Birthdays are like cheese.  They stink more the older they get.
  15. Birthdays are like vacations.  You don't have one too often and they come and go too quickly.

Common Words in Birthday Card Messages

Here are some common descriptive or related words that may go well in your birthday message.  Look at this quick list to get ideas for the wording of your message.  Or, you can choose a handful of these words and put them together in different combinations to come up with your own original idea.

Adjectives: Amazing, fun, awesome, crazy, super, youthful, cool, blessed, cute, wonderful, lively, energetic, smart, wise, happy, classic, timeless
Verbs: Celebrate, party, reflect, bless, grow, age, laugh, cry, wish, hope, dream, mature, live, die, watch, believe
Nouns: Present, wisdom, beauty, success, dreams, energy, wit, years, time, life, happiness, surprise, maturity, candles, cake, balloons, grey hair

Birthday Card Message Tips

  1. Write something that says something nice about the person who is having a birthday.
  2. Talk about how their life has purpose, meaning, and positive effects on others.
  3. Make inside jokes that only someone who knows the person who is having a birthday would know.
  4. Wish the person a good future year, since he or she is starting fresh with a new age.
  5. Keep the message brief and concise.  Chances are the person will be reading many birthday card messages, so keep it short and to the point.
  6. Make the person feel special with your words.
  7. Have fun with your birthday wish.
  8. Be creative in other ways if you can't write something creative.  For example, incorporate your gift into the message of your card, or you can think of a fun way to give the person your card.