What to write / Birthday wishes for everyone on your list
Birthday wishes for everyone on your list
A birthday wish only has to do one thing: tell someone you remembered, and that you're glad they're around. Two sentences will do it. One will, if it's the right one.
Below are 60 short birthday wishes, grouped by who they're for: Mum, Dad, your husband or wife, a friend, a brother or sister, Nan and Grandad, someone at work and the children. There are funny ones, heartfelt ones and a few for when the day has already gone.
Use them as they are, or change a word to make them yours. The best wish on this page is the one that sounds like you said it.
How to write one
Say their name first
'Happy birthday, Mum' lands better than 'Happy birthday' alone. A name, or the name only you use for them, turns a wish into a wish for them.
Add one thing that is theirs
The allotment, the dog, the terrible puns, the way they always ring on a Sunday. One small true detail does more than three lines of good wishes.
Match the tone to the person
Tease the people who tease you back. For anyone you'd hesitate over, keep it warm and simple. If you're not sure a joke will land, it's the wrong joke for this card.
Keep it short
A wish isn't a letter. One or two sentences is right for a card, a text or a message on the day. If you find you've more to say, that's what the phone call is for.
Send it on the day
A wish that arrives on the morning beats a cleverer one that arrives on Thursday. If you've missed it, say so cheerfully and send it anyway. The belated wishes below will help.
Birthday wishes for Mum
Thank her for something small and real. She'll know the big things already.
Happy birthday, Mum. You taught me please, thank you and 'put a coat on'. I use all three every day.
Mum, today the kettle is my job. You sit down and tell me I'm doing it wrong.
Happy birthday to the woman who still asks if I've eaten. I have, Mum, but I'll never say no to yours.
Nobody's gravy comes close to yours, Mum, and believe me, I've tried. Happy birthday.
I turned out all right, Mum, and we both know who did the hard work. Happy birthday.
To the only person in this family who knows where anything is: happy birthday, Mum. We'd be lost without you. Literally.
Birthday wishes for Dad
Dads tend to wave away a fuss. A joke first and one kind line after usually gets through.
Thank you for every lift, every loan and every 'ask your mother'. Happy birthday, Dad.
Happy birthday, Dad. Today the thermostat, the remote and the last roast potato are all yours.
To the man who can fix anything with a roll of tape and a long, hard look at it: happy birthday, Dad.
Dad, you taught me to ride a bike, check the oil and stand my round. Happy birthday. Tonight I'm buying.
I hear your voice every time I leave a light on, Dad. Quite right too. Happy birthday.
Another year wiser, Dad, and still pretending you never wanted the dog. Have a brilliant day.
Birthday wishes for your husband or wife
Most of these work for either. Say the thing you'd normally only think.
Happy birthday to my favourite person to do absolutely nothing with.
You get the first cup of tea and the last chip. That's how you know it's serious. Happy birthday, love.
To my husband: happy birthday. I'd marry you again tomorrow, though I'd have a word about the snoring first.
To my wife: happy birthday. You make an ordinary Tuesday feel like a good idea, so today doesn't stand a chance.
Whatever this year brings, I'm glad I'll be sat next to you for it. Happy birthday, my love.
Another year of you. I can't think of a better present, and it isn't even my birthday.
Birthday wishes for a friend
Happy birthday to the friend who knows all my stories and still laughs in the right places.
Pick the pub, pick the night and leave your wallet at home. Happy birthday, you.
Many happy returns to my oldest friend. Not oldest in years, obviously. Well. Slightly.
You're the first person I text with good news and the only one I ring with bad. Thank you for both, and happy birthday.
Here's to you on your birthday: the best company and the worst influence. I wouldn't swap you.
Birthday wishes for a brother or sister
Nobody else shares the back-seat history. Use it.
Happy birthday, big brother. You went first at everything and I've been copying your homework ever since.
To my little sister, who'll always be little to me however tall she gets: happy birthday.
Nobody else remembers those caravan holidays like we do, sis. Nobody else would want to. Happy birthday.
To my brother on his birthday: I've forgiven you for most of it. Have a great day.
Happy birthday to the only other person who can do Mum's voice. We shared a room, a bath and the back seat. Today I'll even share the cake.
Birthday wishes for Nan and Grandad
Nan, your house is still my favourite place, and the biscuit tin is only part of the reason. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday, Grandad. Thank you for the stories, the mints in your coat pocket and never once letting me win at draughts.
Nobody gives a hug like you do, Nan. Happy birthday, with all my love.
Grandad, I'll bring the cake. You bring the stories, and we'll pretend we haven't heard them. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday to our wonderful Nan. We're coming round with cake, so get the good plates out.
Happy birthday to our Grandad, who taught us the important things: how to grow tomatoes and how to nap in a chair.
Birthday wishes for a colleague
Friendly, light and safe to be read by the whole office.
This place runs on you and custard creams, in that order. Happy birthday.
Many happy returns. I hope the day is short on meetings and long on cake.
Happy birthday from all of us. Mondays are easier with you at the next desk.
Thank you for answering every 'quick question' as if it really was one. Happy birthday.
Have a great birthday. Leave on time today. That's the present.
Birthday wishes for a child or grandchild
Short words, big feelings, and a mention of cake.
Happy birthday, superstar. You're a whole year bigger, braver and funnier. Save me some cake.
To our gorgeous grandchild: happy birthday. We're so proud of you, and yes, we're bringing presents.
Another candle on the cake already. Happy birthday. Make it a big wish.
Today you're the boss: your choice of tea, your choice of film, and bedtime is up for discussion. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday to a kind, clever and usually muddy little person. We love you to the end of the garden and back.
Funny birthday wishes
For people who'd be disappointed by anything soppy.
You've reached the age where a new frying pan is exciting. No judgement. I'm there too. Happy birthday.
Many happy returns. You don't look your age, which is lucky, because you rarely act it.
Another year of being right about everything. It must be exhausting. Happy birthday. Have a sit down and some cake.
It's your birthday, so I won't mention the parking. Tomorrow is another matter.
Happy birthday. May your tea be hot, your knees be quiet and your phone be on loud for once.
You've been 'nearly ready' since the day you were born. Take your time. The cake will wait. Happy birthday.
Heartfelt birthday wishes
For anyone, when you'd like to say something that matters in a line or two.
You're one of the good ones, and I don't say it nearly enough. Happy birthday.
I hope today is as kind to you as you are to everyone else. Happy birthday.
Happy birthday. Thank you for being exactly who you are, especially on the days when it would have been easier not to be.
Thinking of you on your birthday, and counting myself lucky to know you.
Some people make a room better by walking into it. You've been doing it for years. Happy birthday.
Belated birthday wishes
Own up in a line, then wish them well. Late and warm beats not at all.
Happy belated birthday. I'm late, but in my defence I was thinking about you on time.
I missed your birthday and I'm sorry. I hope it was a lovely one. I owe you a cake, and I'm good for it.
Belated happy birthday. The date got past me, but you never do. I hope you were thoroughly spoiled.
Late, as usual, but meant every bit as much. Happy birthday.
Sorry this is late. Look at it this way: your birthday now lasts a week. I hope it was a happy one.
What to leave out
- Jokes about age for anyone who has gone quiet about theirs.
- 'Hope you have a good one' and nothing else: it reads as though you were reminded.
- Your own news: it can wait for the phone call.
- Anything you'd be embarrassed to hear read out at the party.
Questions people ask
What is a good short birthday wish?
One that uses their name and says one true thing. 'Happy birthday, Dad. Thank you for every lift' is short and it's enough. Any of the wishes on this page will work as they stand.
What can I write instead of happy birthday?
'Many happy returns', 'Have a lovely day', or skip the greeting and start with them: 'Mum, today the kettle is my job.' The front of the card usually says happy birthday already, so the inside can say something else.
How do you wish someone a belated happy birthday?
Own up in a line, then wish them well as you would have on the day. Don't write a paragraph of apology: it makes the card about your diary. Late and warm is always better than not at all.
Is it all right to send a birthday wish by message?
Yes. A wish that reaches them on the morning matters more than how it travelled. If the post won't get there in time, send it by WhatsApp or email on the day. An animated card makes it feel like more than a text.
How do I make a birthday wish funny without causing offence?
Tease them about something they joke about themselves: the snoring, the parking, the dad jokes. Leave alone anything they're sensitive about, and follow the joke with something kind.
What do I write to someone I don't know well?
Keep it simple and sincere: a happy birthday and a good wish for the day or the year ahead. The wishes for a colleague suit anyone you know a little. For longer messages, see our guide to what to write in a birthday card.