Celebrating someone’s birthday means going all out and showering them with love and affection. These occasions are the perfect opportunity to show them precisely how much you care and how valued they are! It’s also the perfect excuse to throw a memorable party, find the perfect present, or select an amazing card to express heartfelt birthday well-wishes.
But what’s the best way to bring those words to life? It all depends on the person! Is the birthday person more of a joker with a big sense of humor, or something of an old soul who’d appreciate the beauty of a classic, poetic greeting? Is the recipient celebrating a milestone birthday? These are all huge questions to consider when deciding on the ideal birthday message to include in their card! Today, we’ll help you find the ideal birthday message for the person you’ve got in mind, whether they’re your boyfriend, best friend, great grandmother, or brand new niece. We’ll cover all the bases, from classic birthday greetings to quotes featuring hilarious puns! Once you’ve landed on a message idea, feel free to add a more personal touch to the message, and customize it to fit exactly to the loved one you’ve got in mind. Read on to discover the best birthday quotes and messages suitable for every last loved one.
For The New Arrival
The new bundle of joy is finally here! It’s time to honor the parents and congratulate them on the arrival of their little one. Here are a few lovely message ideas to consider for any newborn birthday cards:
- “Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby! Wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness.”
- “This baby is the luckiest to have such wonderful parents. Enjoy this journey!”
- “Welcome to the world, little (name)!”
- “It only gets better from here on out. Congratulations to you both!”
For The Milestones
Milestone birthdays are those extra-special birthdays throughout the course of a person’s life. There’s ever-so-anticipated sweet sixteen, and then the epic 18th birthday, marking their transition into adulthood. Of course, once they reach 21, they can now really celebrate — legally! After that, each decade marks a significantly prominent birthday that all but demands a massive celebration. Here are some thoughtful milestone birthday messages that will be sure to warm their hearts:
- “You’re only (age) once! Make the most of this monumental year in your life. Happy birthday!”
- “(age) has never looked so incredible!”
- “Happy birthday! It’s a milestone year, and we’re going to make sure it’s epic!”
- “I’m so overjoyed to have you in my life, and excited to celebrate this momentous day in your honor. Happiest of birthdays to you!”
For Friends
Our friends are the family we get to choose! They can make us smile on even the darkest of days, giving us endless love, loyalty, and companionship. Wish your friend the happiest birthday with one of these loving messages!
- “I can’t imagine my life without you, best friend! Have the most awesome birthday!”
- “Our friendship is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. Happy birthday!”
- “To my partner in crime, I hope this birthday is the best one yet.”
- “Here’s to another year of our crazy shenanigans. It’s time to celebrate!”
For Older Individuals
The seniors in your life deserve all of the love. They’ve experienced and lived through so much, often being kind enough to share their wisdom with you. Whether it’s one of your relatives, or an elderly person with whom you’re particularly close, these message ideas are sure to bring smiles to their faces:
- “Happy birthday, (name/relationship)! Wishing you love, happiness, and great health in the year ahead.”
- “You make such a difference in everyone’s lives. I’m so grateful for your presence. May you continue to touch the lives of so many others.”
- “Happy birthday! Wishing you a year of joy and the opportunity to make many more wonderful memories!”
- “I’m so honored to know you and to celebrate you. Here’s to another year of greatness!”
For Partners
They’re the person who makes you the happiest, so they deserve to know how special they are to you on their big day. If you’re looking for a way to express your love for your devoted partner on their birthday, check out the following birthday message ideas!
- “Birthdays come and go, but a partner like you is one in a million!”
- “There simply aren’t enough words to express my feelings for you. Looking forward to spending another wonderful year with you by my side!”
- “Happy birthday to the one who inspires me to be a better person. Here’s to many, many more!”
- “Thank you for sharing your life with me. May this birthday be the best one yet!”
For Siblings
Siblings are often thought of as our very first friends. Your life just wouldn’t be the same without them! Let them know just how much they’ve impacted your life with one of these kind messages.
- “Whenever your birthday comes around, I’m always reminded of how lucky I am to have you as a sibling and a friend for life.”
- “Happy birthday! Growing up with you was an adventure that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
- “Happy birthday to the best sibling I could’ve ever asked for! There’s no doubt that we’ll share a special bond till the end.’
- “Happy birthday! I can’t wait to make even more cherished memories as siblings this year.”
For Moms
Mothers sacrifice everything to put the needs of their children first. It’s time to thank her for her immense efforts! Show your love, gratitude, and appreciation for your selfless Mom by opting for one of the following sweet birthday messages.
- “Happy birthday to the most supportive and caring Mom in the entire world! I hope your day is just as phenomenal as you are.”
- “To my Mom, the person who has influenced my life for the better. Thank you for everything you do. Happiest of birthdays!”
- “As a Mom, you helped make all of my dreams and aspirations possible. Now it’s my turn to spoil you! Happy birthday!”
- “As the years go by, no matter how near or far apart we may be, our hearts will be connected forever. Happy birthday Mom!”
For Dads
All the hard-working, caring, and patient dads out there want to be loved and appreciated by their kids! Thank your dad for their reliability, trustworthiness, and loving commitment to you with one of these loving birthday message ideas.
- “Happy birthday Dad! I know that whatever may happen, I can always count on you to lend a hand.”
- “To Dad, thanks for always supporting me through thick and thin. I hope you have the joyous birthday you deserve.”
- “Happy birthday to the most loyal and hardworking person around! I feel so blessed to have a father like you.”
- “Dad, your wisdom is my guiding light. I hope you have a truly awesome birthday!”
Funny Birthday Puns and Messages
If you’re searching for some funny and clever puns to include on their birthday card, we’ve rounded up some of our all-time favorites below. So go on, pick one and cake their day!
- “A guaranteed gift you’ll get every birthday is another year older!”
- “Loving you is always a piece of cake!”
- “This whole birthday thing is getting a bit old. Don’t you think?”
- “Statistics show that those who have the most birthdays live the longest!”
- “I’m just glad you’re still alive and cake-ing!”
Ultimately, all you’ll really need to do is write your birthday messages from the heart, and your loved one will appreciate the beautiful personalized sentiments no matter what. We hope our guide has been useful to you today, and that you now have some inspiration for what exactly to write inside your custom birthday cards. If you’ve got any more birthday message ideas, puns, or hilarious jokes that we haven’t mentioned, we’d love it if you shared them with our readers in the comments underneath this article.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
