Making a card for someone is a very special and touching thing to do. You have to take the time to make it personal to someone specific. Give it the thought that you wouldn’t with a bought one. It requires a level of commitment not many have or will go to. Anyone recieving a handmade card knows the effort and love that has gone into it. It’s clear to see. So when it comes to writing your message inside the greetings cards you’ve made you want the words to match your beautiful card.
But not everyone is as good with words as they are at making cards. Having the ability to express the way you are feeling can be difficult. 
Also knowing what to say and what not to say to avoid offence is sometimes a minefield to navigate. Many different occasions require varied tones and styles of writing. Can you use humour? Should you include a religious element to your message? How personal should it be? These will all differ depending on the ocassion and the person the card is for, not to mention your relation or closeness to that person.
As this is an issue that many struggle with, and one that is often overlooked, we’ve decided to try and help in any way with it. So we’ve put together a guide for writing greetings card messages. We’ll give you an overview of the sort of things to say, some hints and tips and what to avoid. We also have specific articles on what to write for each individual ocassion – weddings, birthdays, get well soon, anniversaries, Christmas, retirement and many more. These should give you all you need to make your card messages as touching, funny, and appropriate as possible.
Contents
What to Say
- Make it unique and personal. As people tend to receive lots of cards for certain ocassion (birthday, Christmas etc) then you will want your card to stand out, and they will appreciate something that breaks from the norm. Getting a common, bought card whilst being thoughtful isn’t particularly exciting. So hand making a card that then has a personal, touching or funny message will go down a treat.
- Compliment or praise them. This may have to be reserved for someone you know well. Although a well worded comment for an acquaintence or colleague can still go down well. For a friend you can be more personal and really express how much they mean to you. Don’t go overboard and be too gushing but also don’t hold back. They will appreciate the sentiment and how much they mean to you.
What Not to Say
- Again, this will depend on the ocassion the card is for. For example if it’s a sympathy or condolence card then you won’t be wanting to include anything humourous. But if it’s a birthday card for a close friend then poking fun of them will almost be expected! So it has to be judged on each ocassion. However there are some rules you can stick to for most messages:
- Be wary of mentioning someone’s age. If it’s a birthday card you’re sending then the recipient may feel unhappy or down about the age they have reached. You may want to steer clear of touching on it and instead pay tribute to them rather than their age. If you know the person well and are certain they won’t mind being reminded of it then go ahead but it’s something to remember and be mindful of.
- Including a religious based message is also a risk. Unless you are certain of the person’s religious convictions then it is best to avoid mentioning anything religious. It could be offensive to the recipient. It’s much simpler to just go with a regular message that is respectful but warm.
How to Sign your Card
It is customary to sign your name at the end of a card. If it’s coming from more than you, perhaps you and your spouse, then the woman’s name has always been first traditionally. If it’s from the whole family including children then usually it will either be the father’s name, mother’s, and then the children’s. However, you can also use “The <Your Surname> Family”.
Most people recieving the card won’t worry too much about this but those are the more traditional ways to sign your card.
Greetings Cards Message Ideas & Examples
If you’re still struggling with what to write then you can use the examples below as inspiration. Or you can copy them directly as they are.
Birthday
- Happy, happy birthday and best wishes for all you do this year
- Birthdays are for celebrating, and here’s hoping you’ll carry on the party for the whole year
- Special people should have special birthdays. But for very special people, like you, the sky’s the limit. Do have a smashing good time
- I can’t think of a person I’d rather wish a spectacular coming year. I’m sure it will be fantastic, because you are.
- Three words to the wise birthday boy/girl: party, party, party. Happy
birthday! - If birthdays were given out by popular demand, you’d be celebrating every week. And you’d always get my vote!
Christmas
- Wishing you all the joy, hope and wonder of Christmas!
- Blessings, love, and peace to you this Christmas.
- May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.
- As you become busy with the holiday festivities, take time to enjoy those things that are most important.
- The Magic of Christmas never ends and its greatest of gifts are family and friends.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas touched with wonder and filled with love. - Peace on Earth!
- Making Spirits Bright
- Glad Tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.
- Wishing you all the Hope, Wonder, and Joy that the season can bring!
- Joy & Peace
Anniversary
- No one else would understand our relationship, and no one else in this world would understand me the way you do. Happy Anniversary!
- Another year down, many more to go! Happy Anniversary.
- To my one and only love. Can you believe we have come so far from where we began? What a magnificent journey and the company was really first class
- I am glad that I am able to share my life with you. This anniversary marks another year of our lives that we have been blessed with. Happy anniversary!
- Another year of love has passed, with growing care and understanding. May you always walk this lane of love, hand in hand with the same zeal. Happy Anniversary, may God bless your love.
- May your journey of love continue to be a great one. May the road ahead be full of love, care and understanding. Happy Anniversary to you.
- On your lovely anniversary, I wish your hearts keep beating for each other, as they always have. Happy Anniversary to you, and may together you live a life of bliss.
- I always knew something was missing from my life, that was until I met you. I now know the wonder of true love. Thank you.
- Each anniversary that passes it gets a little easier for me to accept that fact that I will be with you for the rest of my life.
Thank You
- You made a difference because you are so caring and thoughtful.
- You are truly a blessing in my life. I am not sure what I would do without you. Thanks for all you do.
- I am grateful for you and your generosity.
- Taking the time to help me was a very nice thing for you to do. I know that you are a person who sacrifices for others without thinking. Thank you
- Words can’t express the gratitude I feel when I think about what you have done. I’ll just say thanks.