Share the Love with These 52 Ideas for a Birthday Message to a Friend
The birthday of someone special is coming up! Your friend deserves to feel loved and appreciated on their big day, so send them the best birthday message. A sweet message is a beautiful way to express your gratitude for their friendship.
Crafting the perfect birthday message to a friend starts with knowing the recipient well, then writing something that appeals to their personality and your friendship. We’ll walk you through it with this guide, along with some inspiring birthday messages for your friends.
How to Send the Best Birthday Message to a Friend
It’s not always easy to send a birthday message to a friend. Maybe you want something more elevated than a simple “Happy birthday!” or you want ideas on how to create a funny greeting for a dirty 30th birthday. Here’s what to think about before you put your birthday message on paper.
Think About Their Personality
Before you can write the perfect birthday message to a friend, you first need to consider who they are, what they love, and what will make them smile. Reflect on their sense of humor, think about what they’d appreciate, and write something to match.
You know your best friend better than anyone else, so this is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase that. Mention an inside joke, reference a television show you know they love, or choose a birthday quote from their favorite celebrity. Think about what would make your friend’s birthday greeting feel special, and create just that.
Personalize Your Message
The best birthday messages are those that feel personalized. Even if you use a famous birthday quote or one of our suggested birthday greetings below, adding your touch can make it feel bespoke and more meaningful.
An easy way to personalize your message is by adding the recipient’s name or nickname. You could also weave in a personal story, mention something funny that happened this year, or say how excited you are for their upcoming birthday dinner party.
Deliver It in a Meaningful Way
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Your friend’s special day is coming up, and you want to celebrate with them. How you deliver your message is almost as important as what it says.
Meet in person to say hello and hand over a birthday gift, or give them a call and share a sweet message. If separated by distance, an online card — like this minimal sun card — is a wonderful choice. With our birthday cards, you can customize the layout, colors, photos, and wording to create a truly personal card.
52 of the Best Birthday Messages to a Friend
You’re ready to write a lovely birthday card to your close friend or show up at your bestie’s door with a smile and a hug — but what do you say? Here’s how to wish someone a very happy birthday, whether you want something simple, sincere, or funny.
Short Happy Birthday Wishes to a Friend
Design: Signature Greenvelope
We don’t need to say a lot to let someone know we’re thinking of them on their birthday. This HBD card is an excellent example of that. From traditional to trendy, here are some short and sweet birthday messages to send to beloved friends.
1. Happy birthday, [name]!
2. Have an incredible birthday celebration, [name].
3. Another year older! Happy birthday.
4. Have a wonderful day, [name]!
5. Happy bday!
6. Sending you lots of birthday wishes.
7. Happy birthday to the best BFF ever!
8. Yay, it’s your birthday!
9. Time to celebrate!
10. Happiest of birthdays to you!
11. Have a fantastic birthday, [name]!
12. Wishing you a very happy birthday.
13. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
14. Have a fabulous birthday, [name]!
15. HBD bestie! See you soon.
16. Have a great day, [name]!
Heartwarming Happy Birthday Messages to a Friend
Design: Signature Greenvelope
If you’re writing something for your best friend’s birthday, you might want to put some extra thought into your wording — especially if you’re sending a sweet polaroid celebration card. Here are some of the best birthday wishes if you want to write something longer or from the heart.
17. Happy birthday to a very dear friend. I hope you have an amazing day!
18. You make [age] look so good! Hope you have an incredible next year.
19. Have a wonderful birthday, [name]. Thank you for always being such a good friend to me and everyone around us.
20. It’s such a joy to know you, [name]. Happy birthday!
21. Happy birthday to my favorite person in the whole world.
22. Yay, I’m so happy it’s your birthday. Can’t wait to spoil you!
23. Let’s make this year the best one yet, [name]!
24. Hope you have an extra special birthday for an extra special person.
25. Have the best day ever, [name]! Love you so much.
26. Sending happy birthday vibes your way, [name]!
27. There aren’t words to describe what a beautiful person you are. Have a lovely birthday!
28. Happy birthday, [name]. You’re an amazing person, inside and out.
29. Thank you for always being a true friend. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays.
30. Happy birthday to a very special person. I’m so lucky to know you!
31. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than celebrating alongside you. Have an amazing birthday!
32. Sending you lots of love and good wishes on your birthday.
33. Have an incredible birthday, my lovely friend!
34. Let’s celebrate, it’s your birthday!
35. Happy birthday, my sweetest friend! Excited to treat you to a shopping trip soon.
36. Have a very special day, [name]. You deserve it!
37. You’re a wonderful friend, [name]. Have the best birthday ever!
38. Hope you have a great birthday, [name]. I can’t wait to celebrate with you later.
39. It’s time to celebrate a new year of you. Happy birthday!
40. Happy birthday to the kindest person I’ve ever met!
Funny Birthday Messages to a Friend
Design: Signature Greenvelope
You always know the right words to make your best friend smile. Make them laugh on their special day with these funny birthday wishes — perfect for featuring in a fun card like this biiirthday card design.
41. Time to blow out even more candles on the birthday cake, [name]!
42. You’ve aged like fine wine, [name].
43. Happy birthday to my partner in crime.
44. It’s that time of year again, I’m afraid. Hope this year is better than the last!
45. You’re a great friend, [name], but so difficult to buy for!
46. Another year older, eh? At least you’re not [age] yet.
47. Happy birthday to the only person who will tolerate my jokes!
48. I hope you’re not expecting a birthday gift… I am the gift!
49. I’m glad social media wasn’t around when we were growing up. Happy birthday!
50. It’s time for the big day! No, not a wedding — [name]’s birthday!
51. Sending sweet birthday greetings to someone who’s anything but!
52. Tonight, the drinks are on me. Happy birthday!
Make Your Words Count
There are many wonderful ways to wish your loved ones a happy birthday. Pen a short yet sweet message inside a birthday card, call them up and relive your favorite shared memory, or post a fun message on their social media page.
Use these wording ideas to help you create the perfect birthday message to a friend. When you have the right words ready, choose one of our birthday cards as the ideal backdrop to share it. Find a design your pal will love, customize it, and send it their way — they’ll be sure to smile when they open it.
