What to say for birthday wishes

When you can't think of the right thing to write, don't stare at the blank text box — start with one of these and swap in a specific detail.

For a close friend

'Happy birthday to the person who makes every group chat funnier. Love you.'

'Happy birthday! Somewhere between everything we've been through and everything still ahead — glad you were born.'

'HBD! Officially another year of you being unreasonably good at everything.'

'Happy birthday, mom. Everything good I try to be, I learned from watching you.'

'Happy birthday, dad. Thank you for being the calm in every room.'

'Happy birthday to my favorite sibling (I know, low bar). Love you always.'

'Happy birthday to the best part of every day. Yours, for as many more of these as you'll have me.'

'Another year of getting to love you — luckiest thing that's happened to me.'

'Happy birthday! Hope the day off treats you well.'

'Happy birthday — wishing you a great year ahead, at work and beyond.'

What's a good short birthday wish?

'Happy birthday — so glad you were born.' Six words, does everything a long message tries to do.

How do I write a birthday wish that doesn't sound generic?

Add one specific detail: an inside joke, a memory from the last year, or something you admire about them. That detail is the whole magic.