Writing birthday wishes in a card can get a bit repetitive, year in, year out. The team at La La Land decided that there had to be a more interesting way to wish someone a happy birthday than just saying, well, ‘Happy Birthday’.
When you give someone a birthday gift, including a card is your chance to tell them how you feel about them. The card and the birthday wishes you write in it will make your friend or family member feel truly special.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips to help you come up with a memorable message for your next birthday card, no matter who it’s for. Stick with us, and we’ll have you waxing lyrical in no time at all.
Birthday wishes for children
A child may tear open a birthday card in their haste to get to their present, but when coming back to their birthday card box in later years they’ll find a treasure trove of special memories.
When writing birthday wishes in a child’s card, you don’t need to do much more than wish them a wonderful day. If you like, you can also include a personal memory and mention the skills you have enjoyed watching them master over the last twelve months.
For example:
“Elissa, you are two!
I have loved listening to you go from saying single words to whole sentences and I remember you singing me your favourite song.
Have a wonderful birthday! I can’t wait to see how much you learn, grow and change while you head towards turning three.”
If you’re looking to include a poem, this one is suitable for a child of any age:
“Happy birthday to you,
On this your special day.
We're so glad to share it with you,
To bring gifts, eat cake and play.
We hope you have a great time,
And that all your wishes come true.
Because we don't know anyone who deserves
A happier birthday than you!”
--- --- ---
This poem can be tailored for a special birthday:
“Lots of love and kisses, Lots of presents too
For somebody who is [FIVE] today
And Darling, that is you!!
Happy Birthday xxx”
If you are feeling creative, have a play and come up with a limerick or rhyme which features the child’s name.
For example:
“Bella it’s your special day
I’m glad to be your guest
Enjoy your cake and presents
(I hope you like mine best)”
Children's birthday cards
Birthday wishes for parents
As well as wishing your mother or father a happy birthday, their big day gives you the chance to explain how much they mean to you.
When writing in a birthday card for a parent, dig deep. We’re pretty sure that you can crack out something more profound than “Happy Birthday, have a great day”.
Include a message thanking them for all their help and guidance over the past twelve months and let them know you appreciate all they do for you. If you have children who are able to write, get them to sign their names on the card rather than writing it for them.
Stuck for words? Here’s a sweet poem shared by All Great Quotes to include in your mother or father’s birthday card:
“I'm wishing you another year
Of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness,
And when your birthday's done,
I hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to me,
It’s more than you can know.”
This poem adapted from words by Nicola Steele is meaningful for a mother:
“Since the moment I arrived,
You’ve cared for me like no other.
There is only one way to describe you,
And that’s my perfect Mother.
In the years you’ve watched me grow
So many memories to replay.
You've been there to love and protect me,
From my birth until today.
When there's a cloud covering my path,
Or a problem I have to face.
You wipe away my tears,
And put everything back in place.
The sun in your heart will continue,
To shine in all you do.
The most special person in my life by far,
I'm happy to say is you!”
--- --- ---
This poem written by Karen K Boyer is a lovely sentiment for a hard-working father:
“He never looks for praises.
He's never one to boast.
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken.
His wants are very few,
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken, too.
He's there...a firm foundation
Through all our storms of life,
A sturdy hand to hold onto
In times of stress and strife,
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad.
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that we call Dad.”
Birthday cards for parents
1. Look at you all old and cute
Birthday wishes for a friend
When writing a friend’s birthday card, you have the opportunity to have some fun but also to tell them what they mean to you.
If you have been friends for a long time, remind them of an adventure you shared together and let them know you are looking forward to many more.
Struggling to find some heartfelt words? Choose from one of the following meaningful quotes for your friend’s birthday card:
“Friends are the family you choose”
“Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends”
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” - Helen Keller
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” - C.S Lewis
You can also have some fun with what you write in your friend’s card. If they really are your friend, they will share your sense of humour!
“There's nothing better than a good friend, except for a good friend with chocolate.”
“You’ll always be my friend, you know too much”
“A good friend will bail you out of prison. A great friend will be there sitting next to you and saying ‘Wasn’t that crazy!’”
“True friends stab you in the front” - Oscar Wilde
Friend birthday cards
3. Pandamonium
Birthday wishes for your partner
When writing in your partner’s birthday card, the words you include may depend on the stage your relationship is in.
A romantic poem is very touching if you are just getting to know each other. Choose from something along the lines of the following:
“If my love were an ocean, there would be no more land
If my love were a desert, there would be only sand
If my love were a star, late at night, only light
And if my love could grow wings, I’d be soaring in flight”
Even if you have been together for many years, a birthday card is a good time to tell your partner how much you still love and appreciate them.
Write a message pointing out the things you adore about them, even if it’s simply that they remember to empty the dishwasher every night! These messages, although simple, can go a long way to make someone feel as though their efforts are being recognised.
You could also create a truly special birthday present by composing a poem of your own.
Partner birthday cards
1. Swans
2. Piano Sloths
Birthday wishes for a grandparent
Every grandparent birthday feels special, especially once they are into octogenarian territory and beyond.
What you write in a grandparent’s birthday card depends on them and the relationship they have with you. You can make the choice to write something special and meaningful or to tease them a little about their advancing age.
This verse is sweet:
“It's that special day again,
How quickly does time fly,
But couldn't let your birthday pass,
Without a cheerful, 'Hi',
So hope your day just sparkles,
With happiness all day through,
For you deserve a brilliant day,
That's especially made for you!”
--- --- ---
If you want to have some fun, you can quote one of the greats from your grandparent’s generation:
“You don’t get older you get better” - Shirley Bassey
“I intend to live forever. So far, so good” - Steven Wright
“To me, old age is ten years older than I am” - Bernard Baruch
“You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.” Bob Hope
“If you’re yearning for the good old days, just turn off the air conditioning” - Griff Niblack
Make sure you include a personal message at the end so your grandmother or grandfather knows you are thinking about them on their special day.
Grandparent birthday cards from La La Land
Birthday wishes for a colleague
When a card gets passed around for a colleague, it can be tempting to simply jot down ‘Happy Birthday!’ and pass it on. However, you can make your message a little more personal with a simple poem.
Here are a couple you can choose from:
“From morning till night
May your birthday be bright
And nicer than ever before……
And as years come and go
May your happiness grow
And your dreams be fulfilled
Even more!”
--- --- ---
“This special
Birthday greeting
Is being sent your way,
With many happy wishes
For a truly perfect day”
When it comes to cheeky messages, it depends on how close you are to your colleague. For your boss, definitely keep it formal - you don’t want to cause offence unintentionally! Within your team however, you can go a little more light hearted and choose a funny or cheeky card.
Colleague birthday cards
2. Sexy gorilla
3. So I heard it's your birthday
Milestone birthday wishes
Every few years we get to celebrate a milestone birthday. These start off as the exciting occasions when you are finally able to drive a car, to buy a drink at a bar and to get the symbolic ‘keys to the house’.
From 21, the happy anticipation of getting older tends to decrease. However, it is still important to celebrate the big milestones.
If you have a friend who has the big 40, 50 or an even larger birthday coming up, there are lots of fun quotes you can use to remind them about their increasing age.
“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age” - Lucille Ball
“The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you’ll grow out of it” - Doris Day
“Middle age is when you still believe you’ll feel better in the morning” - Bob Hope
“The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down” - T.S. Eliot
“Middle age is when a man is warned to slow down by a doctor instead of a policeman.”
“Middle age is when you have the choice of two temptations; and you choose the one that will get you home earlier.”
As with any birthday card, make sure you add something heartfelt to help your loved one feel special (even if they are really, really old).
Milestone birthday cards
One more tip: If you’re worried about your handwriting being hard to read, type out the main part of your message and print it on a piece of paper. This is an especially good technique for children’s birthday wishes. Glue the paper to the inside of the card, add a few sparkles or stickers and they’ll be able to read your message and be wowed.
La La Land has a huge selection of delightful, cheeky, stylish and just plain pretty cards from a range of Australian artists and designers. Choose the perfect birthday card and add some sentimental birthday wishes today.