15 Thoughtful Birthday Messages (2024)

Birthdays are an occasion to celebrate the life of someone you know and care about. Not everyone thinks birthdays are a big deal, but most don’t mind having the day acknowledged, and others love an enormous sentimental and celebratory message. A birthday can also be an opportunity to look back on the past year and look forward to what the next year may bring a friend or acquaintance.

But that doesn’t mean a birthday message has to be complex, long, or even serious in tone. (In fact, a short but heartfelt message can do the trick.) And the way the message is written should reflect the relationship.

Here, we round up birthday message examples you can use to strike the right tone—whether it’s on a birthday card, over email, or in a text message.

15 birthday messages

Simple birthday messages

A simple message can focus on the happiness of the day and your appreciation that the recipient is in the world.

1 Happy birthday, [name]! I hope you have your cake and eat it too!

2 Hoping all your birthday wishes come true! Happy birthday, [name]!

3 You’re a star! Sending you all my love on your special day!

4 May this next trip around the sun be your best one yet!

These messages are generic, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t sincere. As with any message, the key is that it makes sense in the context of your relationship with the other person.

Milestone-birthday messages

When writing a milestone-birthday message, it may be a good idea to note how momentous this particular birthday is. For example, an 18th-birthday message may provide some words of wisdom as the recipient moves to adulthood, while a 60th-birthday message might focus on an impending retirement.

Here’s an example of a 21st-birthday message:

5Happy 21st birthday!

As a wise person once said, “We’re not here for a long time, so let’s make it a good time.” Never toast with an empty glass, always dance like no one’s watching, and be nice to your designated driver.

Stay safe and have fun,

[your name]

For a 50th-birthday message, you could write something like this:

6 Happy birthday, [name]!

Half a century on this planet is no small feat. You’ve built such a beautiful life, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the next 50!

Cheers!

Funny birthday messages

A humorous tone in a birthday message can be a great way to reflect a friendlier, lighter relationship. But keep in mind that not everyone has the same sense of humor, and directing that humor at the recipient in a harsher way (for example, joking about them being “old”) won’t work for everyone.

You can still keep things light by poking fun at yourself or humorous circ*mstances—just be sure to bring it back to the true purpose of a birthday message: celebrating the recipient.

Here are a couple of examples that strike this balance:

7 I came for the free cake. Hanging out with such an awesome person is just a bonus. Happy birthday!

8Happy birthday, [name]! I’d serenade you with a song, but I’m told birthdays are supposed to be enjoyable. Enjoy your special day!

Birthday messages to a friend

Birthdays are great reasons to celebrate friendships, and because friendships come in so many forms—such as with a coffee-run buddy or someone you consider family—birthday messages can run the gamut.

Here are a few examples of messages you might consider writing in a birthday card for a friend:

9 Happy birthday to my favorite person in the world! Coffee/drinks are on me!

10 I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished this year. Thanks for being an inspiration and an amazing friend. Happy birthday to you!

11 Happy birthday, [name]!

Your thoughtfulness and kindness have taught me how to be a better friend. Thank you. May you do today all the things you love and none of the things you don’t! Happy birthday!

Note: If you weren’t able to send someone a birthday message on the day, it’s important to acknowledge that. A simple “happy belated birthday” should suffice, but if you’re more than a couple of days late, you may also want to add that you’re sorry you couldn’t celebrate on the day.

Birthday messages to a significant other

Typically, a birthday message to a significant other focuses more on romance or things you and your partner love and appreciate.

12 Happy birthday to the best partner ever! You make every day fun, interesting, and filled with love. Here’s to continuing the adventure!

Love,

[your name]

For a more serious approach, you could write this:

13 Happy birthday, [name]. I’m so grateful you’re in my life. I can’t wait for everything the next year will bring, beginning with celebrating your special day with you!

Love always,

[your name]

Quick tip: Ideally, you’d include more personalized information—such as specific qualities or actions that your significant other has or did—or play into an inside joke or mutual interest to make your message that much more special. So creating a list before you start writing the note is a good idea.

Birthday messages to a family member

When writing a birthday message to someone in your family, it’s still important to stick to the spirit of the relationship. That often means different things for different relationships and familial roles. For example, a message to a parent may take a more serious approach, while one to a sibling may be a little more playful.

14 Mom,

Where to start? You’ve always been there for me whenever I needed sound advice or enthusiastic encouragement. In every stage of my life, you’ve been a guide and a role model, and I look forward to spending more time together this year. Happy birthday!

15 Happy birthday, [sibling name]!

There’s no one I’d rather argue with about the most meaningless things, and I can’t imagine my life without you.

Hoping you have the best day <3

[your name]

Tips for a great birthday message

• Be on time: Sending a message in time for that significant day shows you are paying attention and the relationship is important to you.
• Be sincere: A heartfelt message that feels true and reflects your relationship can feel especially meaningful to the recipient.
• Be generous: Birthdays are great opportunities to go big when expressing kindness and well wishes.