Free Birthday Card Templates | What To Write?

A birthday card is a greeting card given to someone on their birthday. It is sent to show appreciation to the recipient and celebrate their special day. It can be sent to family members, friends, or colleagues. There is something special about receiving a physical birthday card. It is a tangible symbol of love, thoughtfulness, and celebration and is still widely appreciated despite the introduction of e-cards. 

While these cards can be purchased, some people prefer to create their own cards, which are considered to have more sentimental value in showing appreciation to people on this special day. 

Using printable templates can be an easy and convenient way to create your own cards. A template is a pre-designed layout or format with various styles, themes, and sizes, which can provide a helpful starting point for those who may be unsure of where to begin. 

This article discusses the different types of birthday cards and what to write when sending wishes to someone on their special day. It also describes the importance of printable templates when making cards and provides templates that are free to download. 

You can explore your creativity through your messages to your loved ones. A birthday card is not a formal letter, so when you send one to a close relative or friend, you can write anything you want on it, whether it is funny or heartfelt. 

Below are some ideas for short messages you can write on your cards:

Friend

Friends deserve warm wishes for being supportive and creating memories. So, reminding them how much you value them can make their birthday feel even more special. You can also include jokes to make the card more lively.

You can write the following messages: 

• Warmest wishes to you for being the greatest friend ever!
• Praying that you age gracefully!
• Happiest [20^th] birthday. I’m so grateful for being part of your journey.
• Wishing you a prosperous year ahead. Happy birthday!

Father

You want to remind your father how much he means to you and thank him for all his contributions. His birthday is a great opportunity to express these feelings and share a heartfelt message.

For example, you can write on your the following:

• I could never ask for a more loving and caring dad. Happy birthday!
• Just a polite reminder that you are growing old. Blessed to have you. Have an amazing birthday, pops!
• Happiest birthday, Papa! Thank you for being the gift that keeps giving through your sacrifices.
• Wishing you a fruitful and fun-filled year. Happy birthday to the greatest dad ever!

Mother

• Mom, thank you for the endless love, care, and affection you have shown us. Happy birthday!
• With another year down the drain, you don’t look a day over 30. Love you!
• Happiest of birthdays to the most amazing mother anyone could ever ask for. 

Daughter/son

Children appreciate the reassurance from their parents:

• Look who’s growing so big and healthy! Happy birthday, and have an amazingly amazing year!
• I wish you a year that is as beautiful as yours. Happy birthday [nickname]. 
• You have been a ray of sunshine at home, and I pray that you continue shining at 16! We love you!
• Can’t believe my princess is 18 already!! Go out and accomplish every goal you want in life. Happy birthday!  

Siblings

Showing your siblings how much you value them can brighten their special day. This is a good opportunity to remind them how much you have overcome together in the years leading up to their birthday.

For example, consider the following messages:

• Sis, you are an amazing human. My childhood would’ve been nothing without you. Happy birthday!
• Happiest birthday to my amazing sister. You are lucky to have me as a brother. I love you!
• Wishing you the best year, and having fun on your special day. Happy birthday!
• Thank you for being an amazing big brother and cheering me up and on whenever I need it. Happy birthday!
• Wishing a happy birthday to mom’s second favorite child!

Husband

You want to thank your husband for being a supportive and loving partner. Use a birthday card to express your emotions. Remind him of your love for him and how you look forward to spending your life with him.

You can use any of the following messages: 

• Happy birthday my love! I cannot thank you enough for being by my side all these years. 
• It has been a wonderful time being married to you. I never knew I could fall in love as deeply as I did with you. Now and forever. Happy birthday!
• Words can’t express how much I love you. My best friend and perfect partner. Happy birthday, love!
• Wishing the happiest birthday to the kindest and most caring man I have ever met. 

Wife

A birthday is a great time to remind your wife how much she means to you. Express how much of a positive impact she has had on your life.

Examples of messages you can use include:

• Happy birthday, love! Your love and presence in my life have transformed it in the most incredible ways.
• Thank you for all the laughs and beautiful memories you have given our children and me. Happy birthday!
• I could never ask for a more supportive and loving better half. Happy birthday, baby!
• May you have a fun-filled birthday and a prosperous year ahead. Happy birthday!

Boyfriend/girlfriend

You can also use a birthday card to thank your partner in a unique way. You can thank them for their support, reassure them of your commitment, and hope for a healthy relationship in the future.

Messages you can use in such a card are as follows; 

• And happy birthday to the greatest boyfriend ever! Have an amazing day, sweetie. 
• I hope that all your dreams and wishes come true. I appreciate you so much. Happy birthday!
• Happy birthday! Get all the attention you deserve today. I am coming for it tomorrow!  
• Love and cherish you. Happiest birthday to a phenomenal man I have come to call mine.
• To my darling girlfriend, Happy birthday! You are the sunshine that brightens my days and the love that fills my heart. May this birthday be as special as you are.
• Happy birthday to the most beautiful and amazing girlfriend. Your love and presence in my life make everything better. Thank you for being my source of inspiration and for bringing so much joy into my world. I love you!

Grandparents

Grandparents hold a cherished place in our lives, offering unconditional love, wisdom, and unwavering support. Their birthdays present a perfect opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation and celebrate the incredible bond we share. A card becomes a heartfelt tribute, a way to honor their legacy, and a chance to convey the immeasurable love and gratitude we hold in our hearts.

You can write messages in your card such as: 

• Happy birthday! It has been a blessing being your grandchild. I love you!
• Happy birthday, dear Grandpa! Your wisdom, guidance, and love have shaped our family. Thank you for being an incredible role model and for always showering us with your unconditional love. May this birthday bring you joy and blessings!”
• Sending warm birthday wishes to the greatest Grandma/Grandpa ever! Your love and hugs make everything better. Have a fantastic day!
• To my wonderful Grandma/Grandpa, Happy birthday! Thank you for spoiling me with love and treats. Have a fantastic day filled with joy!

Note: You can download our birthday card templates for free. These templates are easy to customize and include a space for you to add a personalized message. Simply add the message for your loved one and print the card. 

You can customize a card to suit your relationship with the person celebrating their birthday and the purpose behind the message. As a result, different types of cards can be designed.

These include:

Traditional folded cards

This type sends well wishes to the recipient on their birthday. It is the most popular type of card. Normally, it consists of a birthday-related design with images of balloons, cakes, confetti, and a “happy birthday” wish or a personalized message.  

Pop-up cards

Pop-up cards feature intricate paper engineering that creates a three-dimensional surprise when the card is opened. They often have a central element that pops up, such as a birthday cake, balloons, or a floral arrangement.

Handmade cards

Handmade cards can be made using various techniques such as paper quilling, stamping, embossing, or collage. Handmade cards offer a unique and personal touch.

Photo cards

Some templates allow the addition of pictures to the card. Depending on the use (greeting or invitation), the card can have a high-quality picture of the sender or receiver. The card can have a picture of the recipient, while a greeting card can have a picture of the recipient. These cards are a great way to add a personal touch to a birthday message. 

Why Should You Use Templates to Create a Greeting Card

There are multiple benefits of using predesigned templates to create birthday cards, including: 

• Templates have a pre-designed format and layout that guides you on what information to include and saves time and effort. Typically, the fillable document will have entries for name, age, message, etc.
• There is a wide selection of free online and printable templates to choose from. This gives you the flexibility to choose the design, format, and style you want to use for your card.  
• While templates establish a foundation, they also offer flexibility for personalization. Elements within the template can be modified and tailored to reflect the sender’s style or the preferences of the recipient. This allows you to create unique and personalized cards.
• Many templates are readily available at no cost or at minimal expense, rendering them a cost-effective alternative to purchasing pre-made cards or engaging professional designers. This proves beneficial, particularly when producing multiple cards on a limited budget.
• The use of templates allows you to make cards with a consistent look. You can use and reuse one template to generate multiple cards whenever needed. This aspect can be helpful to businesses and organizations that want to create similar cards to send to their staff.  
• Templates are intentionally crafted to be user-friendly. Navigating and customizing templates is straightforward, even for individuals lacking extensive design experience. They frequently include editable fields or layers, simplifying the addition of personalized text, images, or embellishments.

You can express your creativity by creating unique and appealing birthday cards. Multiple approaches and tools can help you with this process.

They include:

Handmade cards

This is a traditional approach to making cards at home. Materials needed for this approach you need cardstock or blank cards, calligraphic markers, glue, scissors, embellishments, rubber stamps, embossing tools, etc. Handmade cards are meant to showcase your creativity and thoughtfulness. They do not have to be perfect. Handmade cards also feel more personal due to the effort used to prepare them. 

Online design tools

Numerous software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers enable users to design and edit their cards using online templates and built-in features like graphics design and printing. Examples of such platforms include Canva, Adobe Spark, PicMonkey, etc. 

Desktop publishing software

PC software can also be suitable for creating customized, professional-looking cards. Such software includes MS Publisher and Adobe InDesign. You will, however, have to install these programs on your desktop. 

Mobile apps

Mobile software is also available for users to design and customize cards for birthdays and other occasions. These apps have a user-friendly interface that does not require extensive graphic design skills to produce quality cards. Examples of such apps include Cardstore, Red Stamp, Ink Cards, etc. 

Printable templates 

Templates are effective tools for creating greeting cards. They are available in PDF and Word document formats, making them compatible with popular editing software such as MS Word when adding texts and images for personalization. 

• A birthday card serves as a means for sending wishes, appreciation, and congratulating people on their birthdays.
• Cards can be sent irrespective of the age of the recipient. You can send it to your children as well as your grandparents. They are always appreciated. 
• Greeting cards can be created and printed using a variety of apps and programs in addition to being handcrafted using stockpaper and embellishments.
• Use templates to create personalized cards. Free templates have been provided in this article and you can download them and choose different designs and formats.
• You should consider adding pictures, stylized text, icons, and other design elements to your cards to make them more attractive and engaging.