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A friend's birthday wishes.
What to write.

Say happy birthday, name one thing you are glad they are, and wish them well. The middle part makes it theirs.

These birthday wishes are sorted by who is writing. Pick your group, say what you mean, then sign.

Create a cardRead a sample card

Everyone's words in one card.

Updated

At the barbecue. Extra for the birthday cook. Burnt bits included.

Another year of you being brilliant. Happy birthday, my friend.

From Kofi

Happy birthday. I am proud to be your friend. More than that, I am glad.

From Rosa

Happy birthday. We love you more than we argue about the bill.

From Sam

Pick a design

  • Tasting the wine. We tasted six. We remember four. Happy birthday.
  • A speech bubble. Happy birthday to our favourite person in the group chat. Don't tell the others.
  • A party with balloons. Hold a balloon. Hold a friend. Happy birthday.
  • Marker lettering. Happy birthday. I got you a card. "present" is crossed out and "card" written above it.
  • Marker lettering with a highlighter stroke. Happy birthday. Stay exactly as you are. Maybe tidier.
  • Marker lettering. Happy birthday. First round's on you. "us" is crossed out and "you" written above it.
  • A plate of biscuits. Happy birthday. The good biscuits are out.
  • Two-colour printed lettering. Happy birthday. Yes, there's cake. No, you don't have to speak.
  • Stilllife birthday card. Happy birthday.
  • A mug. Happy birthday to the one who knows how everyone takes their tea.

The question

Each writer gets a question.

One at a time, about Sam. They answer in their own words, or write without one.

Who they are to you
  1. Something Sam did this year that you still think about.
  2. Words of Sam's that you have caught yourself using.
  3. A day Sam made better just by turning up.
  4. Something Sam taught you without meaning to.
  5. A small thing about Sam that nobody else would notice.
  6. The story about Sam you tell most.
  1. The moment you knew you had a proper friend in Sam.
  2. Something Sam did that only a friend would.
  3. A thing you still laugh about together.
  4. The time Sam turned up when it mattered.
  5. Something Sam knew about you before you said it.
  1. Something Sam did for the family that went unsaid.
  2. A habit of Sam's that you have caught yourself copying.
  3. A memory of Sam from when you were younger.
  4. Something Sam put up with from you.
  5. Something Sam taught you, mostly by example.
  1. A small thing Sam did that you noticed and never mentioned.
  2. The moment you knew.
  3. Something Sam did this year that made things easier for you.
  4. A thing about Sam you would not change.
  5. Something Sam carried that was yours to carry.
  1. The thing you go to Sam for.
  2. Something you picked up from working beside Sam.
  3. A bad day at work that Sam turned round.
  4. Something a new starter should be told about Sam.
  5. Something Sam did that made the job feel worth doing.

Or write without one.

A friend's birthday wishes

Pick your group, say what you mean, and sign.

For a close friend

  • Happy birthday. I am glad you are my friend, and I am glad you are exactly as you are.

  • To my favourite person: happy birthday. Thank you for every late night and every stupid decision we made together.

  • Happy birthday. You are the first person I tell everything to, and that will not change.

  • Another year of you being brilliant. Happy birthday, my friend.

  • Happy birthday. I would not trade our friendship for anything, except maybe a quieter night out.

For a best friend

  • Happy birthday to my best friend. I know you better than anyone, and I still like you.

  • Happy birthday. No one else gets it like you do. Here is to another year of us.

  • To my partner in crime: happy birthday. The best adventures always start with you.

  • Happy birthday. You have seen me at my worst and still answer the phone. That is friendship.

  • Happy birthday. I am proud to be your friend. More than that, I am glad.

From the whole group

  • Happy birthday from all of us. The group chat is quieter without you.

  • To our favourite person: happy birthday. We are all here because of you.

  • Happy birthday. The table is booked, the drinks are cold, and we are ready.

  • Happy birthday from your friends. We have the presents, you have the hangover.

  • Happy birthday. We love you more than we argue about the bill.

Short

  • Happy birthday, my friend.

  • So glad you were born. Happy birthday.

  • To my favourite person. Happy birthday.

  • Happy birthday. Love you, mate.

  • Best friend, best birthday.

Funny

  • Happy birthday. You are not old, you are vintage, like a good wine or a questionable sofa.

  • Happy birthday. Another year older, another year I have to pretend to like your music.

  • Happy birthday. I got you this card and the promise of a drink you will not remember.

  • Happy birthday. Do not worry about your age, worry about your dance moves.

  • Happy birthday. You are the reason my phone battery dies. Worth it.

What to leave out

Do not mention their age as a number unless they do. A friend's birthday is not about the count.

Do not write a generic quote you found online. Write a message only you could sign.

Do not promise a future you will not keep. A card is not the place for plans you might cancel.

One card from the group

Friends, the old gang, the new crowd. One link, and it opens on their birthday.

  1. 01

    Add their birthday.

    The card opens that morning and not before.

  2. 02

    Share one link.

    In the group chat or by text. Each friend writes once, in a browser.

  3. 03

    They read it with their presents.

    Every birthday wish carries a name. They keep it.

Create a card

Questions

What do you write in a friend's birthday card?

Happy birthday, one specific thing about them, and a wish. Name a moment or a trait they would recognise.

What is a good birthday wish for a close friend?

Something only you could write. Mention a memory, a joke between you, or what you are glad they are.

Can you be funny in a friend's birthday card?

Yes, if the joke is kind. The card is for them, not for a laugh at their expense.

Drafted with Claude on 29 September 2026, checked by code, and read by a person when the subject or the checks ask for it.

Part of group birthday card.

More guides

Somebody has a day coming up.

Create a card

Everyone's words in one card.