Uh oh, did you forget someoneâs birthday? Donât be too hard on yourself. This has happened to most of us at some point. While you canât go back in time, you can always send a heartfelt message to wish them a happy late birthday!
In this helpful guide, weâre sharing ideas on what to say in a happy late birthday card, whether itâs for a family member, your best friend, or another loved one. From funny belated birthday wishes to sentimental late birthday greetings, youâll find the perfect way to say youâre sorry and happy birthday at the same time.
Happy Late Birthday Wishes: Words to Show You (Still) Care
No matter where you live or what you do, time flies â which is why itâs not too surprising to forget someoneâs special day. Maybe you had the birthday card on hand and blanked when it was time to send it out. Maybe you got wrapped up in work or everyday errands and activities that it completely slipped your mind.
Whatever the case might be, thereâs a quick remedy for the situation: a happy late birthday card. Sending a belated birthday card shows the person that you care.Â
If youâre just a day or two late and you have a close enough relationship, give the person a phone call. Otherwise, you could send the person a quick happy birthday message via text or on social media. Better still, you could step it up with aÂpersonalized digital greeting card that you can create and send in minutes.
If youâre a few days or weeks late â weâre not judging! â put a little more thought into your card. You can use memes and puns to make fun of your forgetfulness or choose a sentimental message to let them know youâre thinking of them.
Here are a variety of belated happy birthday wishes to consider for your own personal message:
- Next year, I promise Iâll be on time ⦠or even early! Happy birthday, friend. Hope you have a wonderful year!
- Better late than never, right? Hereâs to hoping you had a great day. Letâs make a date to celebrate!
- You know how that saying goes: âDonât be tardy to the party!â Well, somehow I missed the memo. I hope you were showered with birthday gifts and enjoyed lots of birthday cake. Wishing you a late happy birthday and promising weâll plan a day to celebrate!
- I may have missed your actual birth date, but Iâm not too late for the birthday month! I hope you had a special birthday but the best is yet to come. Prepare to wrap up the festivities before you turn the calendar. Itâs time for us to party!Â
- Sending you belated happy birthday wishes. Time got the best of me and it simply slipped my mind. Hoping you had a wonderful day celebrating and sending you all my love for a great year ahead.
- So sorry I missed your big day. But like the magical wind in âFrozen,â Iâm turning up before itâs really too late! Swooping in to send the absolute best wishes to a special friend. Happy belated birthday!
- I know Iâm late and Iâm truly sorry. I hope you had the most marvelous and wonderful birthday celebration. I know this year will bring you love, happiness, and success.Â
- I was in a fog and I mist your birthday. (See what I did there?) Sorry if I rained on your parade. Hoping this card makes you feel special today and know that youâre loved each and every day. Letâs hang soon. My treat, of course!
- As my best friend, you know how much I like saying the right thing at the wrong time. Well, in a surprise to no one, Iâve done it again. Happy late birthday! Weâll make up for it and celebrate this weekend.
- Everyone else remembered your birthday, but a true friend like me remembers you every other day too. Sorry I missed out on sending you well wishes on your actual birthday. Iâll make it up to you with a special event just for us. Happy late birthday!
- So sorry I missed your actual b-day. Consider it a preview of the post-birthday party to come: you, me, and lots of birthday cake! Happy belated birthday!
- You know how I love being fashionably late. Well, you didnât think Iâd exclude you, right? Happy belated birthday, love. Weâll celebrate next week!
Birthday Card Inspiration for Your Belated Wishes
Itâs never too late to send well wishes in a thoughtful and creative card. The best part is, you donât even have to head out to buy a card â you can create one directly from your device with just a few clicks. Greenvelopeâs selection of digital cards lets you customize any template you like to create a truly unique design. Update the fonts, personalize your message, and select your colors â no design skills required! Here are a few birthday cards you can use for inspiration when sending your happy late birthday wishes.
1. Itâs Your Birthday! Card
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Send belated birthday wishes with this vibrant and cheerful card. You can update the message to say something like, âParty like itâs your birthday, even though I missed the real dayâ or âI know I missed your birthday, but we party like itâs your birthday every day!â
2. Confetti Wishes Card
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Beautiful and bold, this birthday greeting card will surely make the recipient smile. The supported backside has tons of space for you to explain why you missed the personâs birthday, how youâll make it right, and well wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
3. Birthday Doodles Card
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Itâs not every year you miss a birthday! Take time to show you care by sending a sweet birthday card like this colorful doodle design. Itâs cheerful and comes in several pre-designed colorways or you can customize one of your own. Add a birthday tune to make it even more special.
Itâs Time to Send Happy Late Birthday Wishes
Did you wake up, look at the calendar, and realize you missed someone specialâs birthday? Donât worry, life happens. Luckily, with digital cards from Greenvelope, you can send your loved one a card and get your message across sooner than later. Plus, a beautifully designed digital card seems a lot more special for sending belated birthday wishes than just a text.
Start by browsing our large library of birthday cards. Choose from artist-curated designs, or if you have a little extra time, you can upload one of your own creations! Customize the card by changing the typography, color scheme, and add fun elements like music. Once youâre finished, enter the recipientâs email address and hit send. In just a few clicks, youâll have the birthday card designed and off to the birthday honoree thatâll surely make them smile.
Whether youâve missed the birthday by a mile (or just a few days), you can still show the person you care by sending a belated birthday card. Choose a humorous design that lightens the moment or select a classic birthday card and add a quick message saying you’re sorry for missing the actual b-day. Use inspiration from the list of belated birthday messages and youâre off to a great start.