Personalization is still key whether you’re sending a birthday card to the love of your life or someone you’ve never met. A birthday card is the celebration of the most important day in someone’s life—when their life began.
Because we know how important a birthday can be, it creates pressure to ensure our birthday wishes seem genuine. From choosing the perfect card to the message inside, simply shopping for a birthday greeting can be stressful.
Need help with other card categories besides birthday? Check out the rest of our blog. Now, back to birthday cards. First off, is this a personal birthday card or a professional birthday card that you’re sending?
If you’re shopping for a happy birthday card for a loved one or friend and trying to choose a design, consider some of their personality traits, perhaps their top three positive characteristics or interests. Are they an animal lover? Do they have a good sense of humor, or are they more of the sentimental type? Are they trendy or more traditional…outdoorsy or metropolitan…religious or spiritual…extroverted or introverted…artistic or industrious? And so on. Remember, these are only some examples to get your gears turning.
Secondly, what interests do you share with this person? Can you think of some specific examples? And were there instances where you celebrated your interests together? If your friend or family member is a film buff, can you recall in detail some fun times you went to the movies together?
Any detail you can add to a birthday card to make it more personal between you and the recipient will elevate its impact. If they are a close family member or a friend, you can make it even more personal. What are things you admire about them? What is a time they helped you or you helped each other? Share your laughs and cries and your triumphs and downfalls.
You can choose a famous quote that makes you think of the recipient, a strong birthday verse created by a professional greeting card writer, or your own message. You can also add your personalization in addition to a verse or quote.
Another simple but effective way to show you put additional thought into someone’s birthday card is to underline portions of the pre-written verse that you feel really describe your recipient or your feelings about them.
Here are 10 birthday messages with a mixture of humor and sentimentality that you may find helpful:
#1
Another year of laughter, love, and memories with you.
I couldn’t be more grateful to have you in my life.
Wishing you a day as special as you are.
#2
Happy Birthday! They say age is just a number…
In your case, it’s a really big, impressive one!
But don’t worry—I still think of you as vintage, not old.
#3
Birthdays celebrate the gift of another year,
But the real gift is you—your kindness, your joy, your heart.
Wishing you all the happiness you bring to others.
#4
Another year wiser? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Another year older? Okay, fine.
Another year celebrating with cake and laughter? Absolutely!
#5
On your birthday, I wish you love that fills your heart,
Joy that lights your way,
And dreams that keep coming true.
#6
They say with age comes wisdom…
So by now, you should be a genius!
But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.
#7
Time may pass, but my love and appreciation for you never fade.
You are a treasure in my life, and I’m so lucky to know you.
#8
Your birthday equation:
More candles = More wishes = More cake = More joy!
(And slightly more time to recover afterward.)
#9
Today isn’t just about cake and candles—
It’s about celebrating the incredible person you are.
Here’s to another amazing year ahead!
#10
Like a fine wine, you just keep getting better.
Or at least, we pretend that’s how aging works!
Cheers to another year of being fabulous!
Add a photo of the two of you together inside your birthday card, a cute graphic you’ll know they appreciate, or draw a picture. There are many ways to bring joy to family and friends through a more personal greeting.
Lastly, how will you sign the birthday card? Will it simply be from you or will additional friends, family, and pets be making their mark on the card, too? Some people really enjoy it when they get a birthday wish from a pet even though they know it’s really from you. Will you choose a closing like “With Love” or “From All of Us,” or will it be a more personal nod to the recipient highlighting an inside joke, memory, or nickname? That’s entirely up to you!
Many instances in the business world call for a corporate birthday card. Whether you’re reaching out to customers, employees, coworkers, or your boss, you never want your company birthday cards to sound or look sterile. The number one mistake people make is choosing office birthday cards that lack a personality. You can still be professional while simultaneously wishing someone a happy birthday on a more human level.
For clients, customer appreciation should be at the forefront. You are providing well wishes to an individual who helps your business thrive. Include a promotion or discount as a small gift. Have your team members sign it. Add your company logo for brand recognition and to stay top of mind. A business birthday card makes a great marketing piece; it’s a deliverable a customer tends to hold onto longer than others—if it’s eye-catching enough, it may even be rewarded prime real estate on the fridge!
A happy birthday card is an opportunity for employees to feel valued. If employees feel valued, they will typically be more productive, with an increased sense of loyalty that can boost retention and eliminate turnover.
Sending a birthday card to coworkers can establish deeper connections, better working relationships, and even strong friendships.
Lastly, sending a birthday card to your boss or manager is a nice gesture that illustrates you are a thoughtful employee who appreciates their mentorship.
Ask yourself what kind of business you are in. What is your company voice? Make sure your birthday card design and message align with this voice. You can still include specific details about the relationship between you and the recipient, but make sure they are appropriate for an office setting. Your crazy uncle might appreciate a funny birthday card with a dirty joke, but it isn’t safe for work.
Here are 10 business birthday card messages to help you along:
For employees:
#1
Happy Birthday! Your hard work, dedication, and positive attitude make a real difference. Wishing you a fantastic year filled with success, happiness, and all the things that bring you joy!
#2
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year ahead filled with new opportunities, growth, and success. We appreciate all you do and are grateful to have you on the team!
#3
Happy Birthday! Today, your only deadline is to enjoy yourself. May your day be filled with laughter, cake, and zero work emails!
#4
Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake and take a break. If we had our way, you’d get the day off—but since we don’t, at least enjoy the cake!
For customers:
#5
Happy Birthday! We truly appreciate your support and trust in us. May your day be filled with joy, and your year ahead bring happiness and success.
#6
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! We’re grateful for your business and look forward to serving you for many more years to come. Have a fantastic day!
#7
Happy Birthday! If we could wrap up appreciation and gratitude, we’d send it your way. Instead, we’ll just say: you’re amazing, and we hope your day is too!
#8
As a valued customer, you deserve only the best today—starting with cake! Have a fantastic birthday, and thank you for being a part of our journey.
For bosses/managers:
#9
Happy Birthday! Your leadership, guidance, and support make a difference every day. Wishing you a year filled with success, joy, and well-deserved recognition for all you do.
#10
Another year of wisdom, leadership…and cake! We hope you enjoy your special day (and don’t make us work too hard while you celebrate!). Happy Birthday!
Looking for birthday cards? We offer a gigantic assortment of professional and personal birthday cards. Best of all? They come with free personalization, and for a small extra fee, we’ll mail them to your recipients for you! Check out CardsDirect.com.
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