Looking on the Hallmark site recently in the hopes of finding some of its archived treasures available for view online, I came across a blog on what to write in a birthday card.

I’m a writer. That’s what I do for a living. Yet, even I’ll admit to struggling sometimes to come up with the personal statement to add in the birthday cards I still love to send (in the mail — as opposed to relying on social media posts).

In putting together their guide, Hallmark’s writers acknowledge a few aspects of writing in a card that make the added personal message more difficult: “the card has already said it all” or you are trying “to keep things short and sweet.”

They go on to offer some interesting tips:

• Pick the card carefully so that it suits the birthday person in particular, then you can let the printed message and design do the talking for you.
• Kids love to see their age; so even if the card doesn’t have the exact number write the years old in your personal message.
• Writing your private nickname for the card recipient instantly personalizes it.

Suggested Personalizations

Nevertheless, some of the examples they offered for what to write did seem laughably obvious:

• “Happy, happy birthday, [name]!” — because ah, yes, that added “happy” makes all the difference. 
• “Hope you make your [25th] a birthday to remember!”
• “[Year] never looked so great!”
• “Happy Birthday…a little late!”
• “Happy Birthday, [Mom]. We love you so much!”
• “Let the b-day fun begin!”
• “Here’s to you!”
• “Here’s to a great birthday!”

Hallmark also reminds us that “a warm closing before you signature is like the bow on top of the birthday gift.”

How about a warm closing on a blog…what would that be considered?

With blogging affection…. me.