Birthday Messages by Age and Relationship

A birthday message works best when it is short, specific and in your own voice. Use the person’s name, mention one real thing, and finish with a wish. This guide gives original examples by age and by relationship, and it belongs to our messages hub. Our free message helper writes three versions for you to edit, with an optional verified quote.

What should I write in a birthday message?

Write two or three sentences: a greeting, one specific detail and a wish. “Happy birthday, Sam! Thank you for the best road trip playlist of all time. I hope this year is full of good music” says more than “Wishing you all the best.” The specific detail is the part only you can write, so keep it even if you use a template for the rest.

What can I write by age?

Match the wish to the stage of life, and do not make a point of the number. These examples were written for this site.

Ages 1 to 12: “Happy birthday! May your day be full of games, cake and surprises.”

Teens: “Happy birthday! May this year bring new adventures and plenty of room to grow.”

Twenties and thirties: “Happy birthday! Here’s to a year of exciting new chapters.”

Forties and fifties: “Happy birthday! May this year bring you joy, good health and time for what you love.”

Sixty and over: “Happy birthday! Here’s to a year of good health, good company and plenty to look forward to.”

In the helper, type an age and it adds a line like these. For a brief message it simply says “Happy 40th birthday!”

What can I write by relationship?

Use the same pattern, with the line that fits who they are to you.

• Friend: “Thank you for being the kind of friend who makes everything better. I hope today is wonderful.”
• Coworker: “It’s a pleasure to work with you, and I hope the day treats you well.”
• Family member: “You’re an important part of this family, and we’re lucky to have you.”
• Partner: “I love you, and every year with you is a gift.”
• Parent: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you and hope today is as good as you deserve.”
• Child: “I’m so proud of you, and I love you more than I can say.”
• Manager: “Thank you for your leadership and support, and I hope you enjoy the day.”

Should I be funny or sincere?

Choose by the person. A playful line, such as “May your candles be many and your fire alarm quiet,” suits a friend who enjoys a joke. A sincere line suits a parent, a manager or anyone having a hard year. A safe pattern is a sincere core with one light touch. Avoid jokes about age, weight or health. For the opposite end of the emotional range, see our guide to writing a condolence note.

Which verified quotes fit a birthday?

These were checked against the text at the link and come from public-domain works. Credit the author if you use one.

• “I am larger, better than I thought, I did not know I held so much goodness.” Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself,” in Leaves of Grass, 1855 (Section 20). Wording as in the Project Gutenberg edition. Source
• “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Ulysses”, 1842 (“Ulysses”). Wording checked against the 1843 edition. Source
• “The sun is but a morning star.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854 (“Conclusion”). Source
• “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety” William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra (Act 2, Scene 2). Spoken by Enobarbus about Cleopatra. Source
• “Insist on yourself; never imitate.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Self-Reliance,” in Essays: First Series, 1841 (“Self-Reliance”). Source
• “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” the Bible (King James Version), Psalms, 1611 (Psalm 90:12). Source

How do I use the helper?

1. Choose “Birthday,” who it is for and a tone: warm, brief, formal or playful.
2. Add the recipient’s name, and an age if you want a line for that stage.
3. Press the button for three messages and a quote.
4. Edit to add your specific detail, then copy the text from the box.

What is a worked example?

You are writing to a parent who turns 63, in a brief tone. The helper returns “Happy 63rd birthday! Have a great day!”, with two other versions. In a warm tone it adds a line such as “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you and hope today is as good as you deserve” and “Here’s to 63: a year of good health, good company and plenty to look forward to.” Replace the general parts with a memory and you have a card.

What about the card or the image?

If you would like the quote on an image instead of a card, our quote card maker makes a PNG at the right size for a post. Our daily verified quote page shows one verified quote each day with its source.