The best happy birthday wishes are short, personal and sound like you. Below are 60+ birthday quotes, wishes and text messages for friends, family, partners, kids and colleagues: copy one as it is, or change a word or two so it fits the person.
Shop personalised birthday gifts
- Gifts for Her: photo books, framed prints and keepsakes made from your photos.
- Gifts for Him: personalised drinkware, photo prints and more.
- Gifts for Mum and Gifts for Dad: photo albums, canvas prints and personalised mugs.
- Gifts for Kids: photo puzzles, blankets and pillows with their favourite pictures.
- Birthday cards: a personalised card with your own photo and message.
Jump to: Best friend · Funny · Special · Inspirational · For her · For him · Mum and dad · Partner · Kids · Colleague · Short and sweet · December · FAQs
Birthday wishes for friends
Happy birthday wishes for a best friend
For the friend who has seen you at your best and your worst:
- “Happy birthday to the person who knows all my secrets and still picks up the phone. I’d be lost without you.”
- “Another year of you being my favourite person to laugh with. Here’s to many more.”
- “You’ve been there for every big moment and every bad haircut. Happy birthday, bestie.”
- “Friends come and go, but you’re not getting rid of me. Happy birthday!”
- “Happy birthday to my partner in crime, my sounding board and my favourite plus-one.”
- “Thank you for making ordinary days feel like a party. Today the party is all yours.”
Years of friendship deserve more than a text. Fill a photo book of your best memories together and give it with your card.
Funny birthday quotes for best friends
- “Happy birthday! May your social media be flooded with messages from people you barely know.”
- “You’re older today but younger than you will be tomorrow. Enjoy it!”
- “Forget the past, you can’t change it. Forget the present, I didn’t get you one!”
- “Congrats on another year of being fabulous! I aspire to be like you when I grow up!”
- “Age is just a number… a really, really high one in your case! Happy birthday!”
Keep the joke going with a photo puzzle of their most embarrassing picture.
Special and unique birthday wishes
- “Today the world celebrates the day it got a little brighter. Happy birthday!”
- “May this year bring you the kind of happiness you give everyone around you.”
- “I hope your birthday is as kind to you as you are to everyone else.”
- “Wishing you a year of good surprises, easy mornings and people who love you loudly.”
- “You make the people around you better just by being you. Happy birthday.”
- “Here’s to a birthday full of the little things that make you smile, and a few big ones too.”
A special wish goes well with a photo they’ll see every day, like a framed print of a favourite moment.
Inspirational birthday wishes
- “Count your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years. Happy birthday!”
- “Your birthday marks the start of a new adventure. Embrace it with excitement!”
- “May your birthday be filled with happiness, success, and all the dreams you’re chasing.”
- “Forget the past; look ahead to the future. The best is yet to come!”
Put a milestone on the wall with a canvas print of their proudest moment.
Birthday wishes for family and loved ones
Cute happy birthday quotes for her
- “Wishing you a day full of love, laughter, and all your favourite things.”
- “On your special day, I wish you endless happiness and joy!”
- “To the most amazing person, may your birthday be as wonderful as you are!”
- “A simple wish for a beautiful person: may your birthday be filled with happiness.”
- “Happy birthday to a woman who makes everything look effortless. Enjoy a day that’s all about you.”
- “May your day be as lovely as your laugh and as warm as your heart.”
Find something she’ll keep in our personalised gifts for her.
Happy birthday wishes for him
Whether it’s for your brother, husband or best friend, these messages will make his day:
- “Hope your birthday is as legendary as you are!”
- “May all your days be as golden as your soul.”
- “Another year, another reason to celebrate you!”
- “You were born, and the world became a better place!”
- “Happy birthday to a man who’s always there when it counts. Take the day off from looking after everyone.”
- “Wishing you good food, great company and no one asking you to fix anything today.”
Browse personalised gifts for him to go with your message.
Birthday wishes for mum and dad
For the people who have celebrated every one of your birthdays:
- “Happy birthday, Mum. Everything good in me started with you.”
- “Thank you for every packed lunch, late-night pickup and quiet word of advice. Happy birthday, Mum.”
- “Mum, you make home feel like home wherever you are. Have the happiest birthday.”
- “Happy birthday, Dad. You taught me how to work hard and how to laugh about it.”
- “Dad, thank you for all the lifts, the bad jokes and the good advice. Enjoy your day.”
- “To the best dad I could ask for: happy birthday, and thank you for everything.”
Parents love a family photo album. See our gifts for Mum and gifts for Dad.
Birthday wishes for your partner
For your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend:
- “Happy birthday to the person I’d choose again every single time.”
- “Every year with you is my favourite year so far. Happy birthday, my love.”
- “You’re my home, my best friend and my favourite adventure. Happy birthday.”
- “I love the life we’re building together. Here’s to celebrating you today.”
- “Happy birthday to the one who still gives me butterflies.”
Turn your favourite photos of the two of you into photo tiles for your wall.
Birthday wishes for kids
- “Happy birthday to our little superstar! We’re so proud of who you’re becoming.”
- “You make every day more fun. Have the best birthday ever!”
- “Another year bigger, braver and more amazing. Happy birthday!”
- “Wishing you cake, presents and a day full of giggles.”
Kids love seeing themselves in their presents. Shop personalised gifts for kids.
Need more ideas? See our 80+ birthday wishes for kids, sorted by age and by who’s sending the card.
Birthday messages for anyone
Birthday wishes for a colleague
Friendly and professional, for a card that goes round the office:
- “Happy birthday! Thanks for making the workdays brighter. Enjoy a day off from emails.”
- “Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year full of good news.”
- “Happy birthday to a brilliant teammate. Hope today is all about you.”
- “Have a great birthday! Save us a slice of cake.”
A team gift everyone can sign: a personalised photo mug.
Short and sweet birthday messages
- “May all your birthday wishes come true!”
- “Enjoy your special day to the fullest!”
- “Wishing you joy, love, and laughter on your birthday.”
- “Here’s to another year of wonderful memories!”
- “Happy birthday! Have a brilliant day.”
- “Cheers to you today and every day.”
Write any of these inside a personalised birthday card with your own photo.
 Milestone card |
 Fun card |
December birthday wishes
For birthdays that land in the festive season:
- “Wishing you a birthday as magical as the festive season! May your December be filled with love, laughter, and joy.”
- “Happy birthday! You get to celebrate two amazing occasions this season, so enjoy every moment!”
- “December babies bring extra warmth to the season. Have a wonderful birthday!”
- “Sending you birthday wishes wrapped in holiday cheer. Have a fantastic day!”
Make sure their birthday gift doesn’t get lost among the Christmas presents: a metal print of their favourite photo stands out.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in a birthday card?
Start with “Happy birthday” and their name, add one line about what they mean to you or a memory you share, and finish with a wish for the year ahead. Two or three sentences is enough.
How do I wish my best friend a happy birthday in a special way?
Mention something only the two of you would understand, like an inside joke or a trip you took together. Pair it with a gift made from your photos, such as a photo book of your friendship, so the message lasts longer than the day.
What is a short birthday wish?
“Happy birthday! Have a brilliant day” or “May all your birthday wishes come true” both work for a text, a comment or a group card.
What do you write in a birthday card for a colleague?
Keep it warm but simple: thank them for being a great teammate and wish them a relaxing day. See the colleague wishes above for ready-to-use examples.
What can I give with a birthday card?
A personalised gift with their favourite photos, like a photo book, a framed print or a photo puzzle, turns your message into something they can keep.
Make birthdays extra special with a personalised gift
A heartfelt message means even more with a gift they can keep. Add your wish to a personalised birthday card, surprise them with a custom photo puzzle, or fill a photo book of memories from the past year.
 Photo book |
 Framed print |
 Photo puzzle |
 Photo mug |
Need a title for that book? Try our 100+ photo album title ideas. Got lots of birthday messages yourself? Here’s how to say thank you for birthday wishes. And for the photos you post on the day, browse our best friend captions for Instagram.
