One of my favorite simple pleasures in life is going to the mailbox and finding a handwritten envelope addressed to me. It feels like a treasure hidden amongst the junk mail, bills, and advertisements. I slide my pointer finger inside the corner of the envelope, pull to tear the top open, and retrieve the contents inside. There’s nothing quite like a thoughtfully handwritten note sent with love.

“There’s nothing quite like a thoughtfully handwritten note sent with love.”

I have always been a purveyor of greeting cards. Any time we stumble upon a paper shop or a boutique with curated goods, you can find me surveying the greeting card section and collecting a stack to take to the register. I love to envision the recipient of each one — this one for a dear friend’s birthday, that one for an upcoming wedding, this one to keep on file next time a friend announces they’re expecting. One of my favorite greeting cards I’ve ever received was from a friend in honor of our son’s birth. It had a cartoon illustration of a baby’s bottom that said, “Thank goodness for little butts.” Thank goodness, indeed. (If you’re in the mood for more quips and aphorisms, check out our list of 99 positive daily affirmations or our favorite 99 unique compliments!)

Whether you’re sending a card to commemorate a special occasion, expressing your condolences, or sending a note just because, here are 99 things to write in a greeting card for every occasion.

Birthday

1. Celebrating you is a joy and so easy to do. Happy Birthday!

2. It’s a gift to be in your orbit. Here’s to another trip around the sun!

3. Your presence makes the world a better place.

4. You are worth celebrating on your birthday and always.

5. Happiest birthday wishes to someone I cherish so much. 

“You are worth celebrating on your birthday and always.”

6. Happy birthday to someone who gets more wonderful with each passing year. Here’s to many, many more!

7. It is so lovely to bear witness to your life.

8. Your life inspires me to live my own with intention and joy. Wishing you both of these things and much more in the year to come!

9. Today and every day, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on your inherent worth. You are worthy simply because you were born.

10. I hope your day is filled with all of your favorite things. Happy birthday to you!

Sympathy

11. My heart aches with you as you move through this loss.

12. Wishing you comfort, warmth, and support as you navigate this difficult time.

13. Sharing in your sadness and holding space for whatever feelings arise. Please call anytime.

14. It’s difficult to express the depth of my grief. Sending you the most heartfelt condolences.

15. Please know I’m here for you as the waves of grief unfold. Call me anytime.

“My heart aches with you as you move through this loss.”

16. There is no wrong way to grieve. I hope you’ll allow yourself to do so however you need to.

17. I want to be here for you in any way that I can. I’ll check in soon about what might be most helpful at this time, whether it’s a meal, a cleaning service, or just some company.

18. Wishing you space to grieve and for healing in the days to come.

19. I’m so sorry for your sorrow. I’m thinking of you every day.

20. Remembering your loved one with fondness and gratitude. Sending you my deepest condolences and love. 

Wedding

21. You complement each other so well. Cheers to the happy couple!

22. This day marks the continuation of the love you’ve built and the beginning of the rest of your lives. Congratulations!

23. In all the days to come, know I’m always in your corner.

“This day marks the continuation of the love you’ve built and the beginning of the rest of your lives. Congratulations!”

24. I love seeing you happy. All my love, always!

25. Your love is inspiring. Here’s to many, many years!

26. I’m so glad you’ve found and kept each other.

27. The world needs more love – so be sure to make a lot of it!

28. Wishing you many years of joy, intimacy, and steady partnership.

29. To love is an act of bravery. Thank you for sharing yours with us.

30. What a gift it is to witness your love.

Baby Shower

31. Wishing you all the best in babyhood and beyond.

32. I already love your little one, and can’t wait to meet them!

33. It is an honor to be part of this journey with you.

34. In the days ahead, remember – you are supported, loved, and held. Call on us anytime you need something.

“I already love your little one, and can’t wait to meet them!”

35. As you nurture your new baby, your community is here to nurture you. I’ll check in to see what might be most helpful during the transition into this new season. 

36. What lucky parents you are to welcome your precious little one. What a lucky little one to have such wonderful parents!

37. Congratulations on the arrival of your little one! Sending you warmth, ease, and support as you enter this new season.

38. Here’s to many happy family memories in the years to come.

39. Celebrating with you as you welcome your new little one into your family. 

Holiday

40. Wishing you tidings of comfort, joy, and peace this holiday season.

41. ‘Tis the season for quality time, warm drinks, and abundant laughter. Cheers!

42. May your holidays be filled with whatever you’re longing for, whether that’s peace, rest, excitement, joy, magic – or all of the above. 

43. May you feel the thrill of hope and find many reasons to rejoice this season.

44. Each new year is a chance to begin again, continue the beauty we’ve been creating, or some version of both.

“May you feel the thrill of hope and find many reasons to rejoice this season.”

45. Cheers to new beginnings and the fresh hope they bring. Happy New Year!

46. Wishing you health, joy, and abundance in the new year.

47. Whether you need a chance to begin again, to continue the beauty you’ve been creating, or something in between, wishing you a happy new year.

48. Wishing you a year filled with courage, hope and happiness. May we remember that anything is possible.

49. Wishing you a season of warmth and totally untangled Christmas lights.

Graduation

50. Congrats, grad! Your future awaits.

51. We are cheering you on as you enter this new chapter. 

52. Remember that this finish line is just the beginning of everything to come.

53. Congrats, grad! A whole wide world awaits. I can’t wait to watch who you bloom.

54. You get to choose how you want to move into the world, and there is no wrong way to do so.5

55. The world needs exactly who you are. I can’t wait to see what you do and who you become.

56. Congratulations, grad! I hope you’ll follow your heart, your intuition, and your passions toward creating a life you love.

57. This life is yours for the taking. Pursue it with passion, integrity, and wonder.

58. Looking forward to watching you cultivate a life that is uniquely you.

59. In all you do moving forward – know you are capable, worthy, and loved.

Retirement

60. I hope you’ll take some time to mark this moment and reflect on such a meaningful milestone.

61. Wishing you ease and contentment in the days to come. Cheers to the next chapter!

62. Congratulations on a hard-earned and well-deserved retirement.

63. Wishing you many days ahead filled with time spent doing the things you love.

64. Wishing you a retirement filled with simple pleasures, quality time with the ones you love, and priceless cherished memories.

“Wishing you many days ahead filled with time spent doing the things you love.”

65. A job well done and a retirement well earned. Congratulations, and enjoy!

66. May your retirement be a time of relaxation, exploration, and all the joys you’ve longed for.

67. As you close this chapter, may the pages of your retirement be filled with adventures, laughter, and cherished memories.

68. Your dedication and commitment have left an unforgettable mark. May your retirement be as fulfilling as your career!

69. Here’s to endless mornings without alarms and endless afternoons without meetings. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

Valentine’s Day

70. I’m so glad it’s you.

71. Happy Valentine’s Day to the only one I want to celebrate this day with.

72. Our love teaches me continually, comforts me consistently, and grows deeper daily.

73. After all this time, it’s still you.

74. My affection for you is vast, my admiration is deep, and my love for you is endless.

75. I’m having the best time with you, Valentine.

“Our love teaches me continually, comforts me consistently, and grows deeper daily.”

76. There’s nowhere I feel more at home than with you.

77. I can’t think of a better way to spend my days than to spend them loving you.

78. Cherishing you is the gift of a lifetime. Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. 

79. Call me a hopeless romantic, but consider inserting a few lines of poetry. Here is one of my personal favorites: “I want/ to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.” -Pablo Neruda, “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair.”

80. You could also write a few lines of your own poetry, whether original or a play on one of the tried-and-true templates. Here’s an example: Roses are red, violets are blue. I don’t want anyone but you.

Mother’s Day

81. Thank you for all of the ways you’ve nurtured and cared for me all my life.

82. Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who has shaped me, cared for me, and inspired me. 

83. Thank you for your continual presence, support, and love. I’m grateful this life made you my mama.

84. On this Mother’s Day and always, I celebrate you with all my heart and all my love.

85. Your love is one of my life’s greatest treasures, Mom.

“Thank you for your continual presence, support, and love. I’m grateful this life made you my mama.”

86. Regardless of space and time, I always feel your love. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

87. Mom, I hold your every act of love in my heart.

88. Whenever I don’t know what to do, I’m so glad I know I can call you. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

89. I’m grateful that your love and wisdom have guided me all my life. 

90. So glad I got it from my mama, and that my mama is you! Happy Mother’s Day.

Father’s Day

91. A father is one who leads, nurtures, and protects. I’m grateful you’ve done all of those things for me, and more. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

92. I’m grateful to have a dad who has also become my friend.

93. The ways you’ve nurtured and sacrificed for me over the years has not gone unnoticed. Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

94. I’m grateful for your love.

“I’m grateful for your love.”

95. You’re one of a kind, Dad. Wishing you a Happy Father’s Day!

96. Where would I be without you in my life? I’m glad I’ll never know.

97. Dad, thank you for your continual presence, strength, and guidance. Happy Father’s Day.

98. Your love is the foundation on which I’ve built my life, and I’m forever grateful.

99. Dad, your quiet strength and unwavering support have given me comfort and courage when I needed it most. Thanks for always being there for me.

Kate Arceo is Community Manager at The Good Trade.