Tell your best friends "happy birthday!" in a way that only you could.
By Kayla Cavanagh — Written on Apr 18, 2022
What do you say on someone's birthday to wish them a happy birthday, especially when that someone is your friend? What should you write to your best friend that isn't what she's going to already read 100 times on her Facebook timeline when she wakes up on the morning of her birthday?
Whether it's your best friend's birthday, or you're celebrating your work colleague's birthday during your lunch break, or you're figuring out what to say in a birthday text to an old friend you haven't talked to in a while, every special person in your life deserves a heartfelt birthday wish.
It's not always easy to know just what to say on someone's birthday, and you want your birthday gift to your friend to be unique and a step above the rest. Sometimes a cute happy birthday gif is a way to make your friend laugh when they're scrolling through social media, but oftentimes we want to go that extra mile to make the people closest to us feel loved on their special day.
So scroll through some of our suggestions below for the best "Happy birthday, friend!" quotes and heartfelt birthday wishes for a friend to help you say just the right thing to let them know you care.
Happy Birthday Wishes for Friends
1. "Happy Birthday. Live beautifully, love generously, laugh freely. Thanks for being a fantastic friend. I hope this year brings you the best that life has to offer."
2. "A big birthday hug for you, good friend!"
3. "I hope your Birthday finds you this happy, friend."
4. "Wishing you happiness to welcome each morning. Wishing you laughter to make your heart sing. Wishing you friendship, sharing, and caring. And all of the joy the birthday can bring." — Noble Diary
5. "I treasure our friendship! Happy Birthday!"
6. "Happy Birthday my friend! Today is a day to celebrate you, so make it special and surround yourself with everything that makes you feel like the star you are!"
7. "I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, friend, and to let you know that you are not alone. Should you need someone to lean on, I will be here for you."
8. "A new year begins and it's like a movie. You are the director, my friend. Make it a good one. Happy Birthday!"
9. "Happy Birthday, friend. Even if we can't be together, know that I am thinking of you, and hoping your day is filled with all your favorite things."
10. "Wishing you beautiful beaches, ocean breezes and wishes upon stars that all come true! Happy Birthday, friend!"
11. "Happy Birthday, friend. Have fun, dance, be happy."
12. "On your special day, friend, I wish you the greatest happiness that can be in this world."
13. "I wish you every happiness your heart can hold. Here's to another fabulous year of life, good friend! You're simply the best!"
14. "My dear, dear friend, you have always been there for me. You and I redefine what friendship means. Happy Birthday!"
15. "People will wish you a happy birthday with lots of gifts, hugs, and pleasantries. But, I will wish you a happy birthday in my own special way by saying a prayer and throwing it up in the clouds so it reaches straight to the gods. You mean a lot to me, dear friend."
16. "Life is very short. Enjoy every moment, friend. Be happy always. Don't lose your confidence. Go always ahead. Wishing you a lovely Happy Birthday."
17. "Happy birthday, friend. May your day be as beautiful as you."
18. "I hope that your birthday is as much fun as you are, friend, but that sets a very high standard."
19. "My wish for you, my friend, on your birthday is that you are, and will always be, happy and healthy!"
20. "They say you lose your memory as you grow older. I say forget about the past and live life to the fullest today. Start with cake. Happy birthday, friend."
21. "On your birthday, friend, may your spirit be enriched in light, love, and hope for a prosperous year ahead."
22. "Another birthday means your life journey is incomplete, may your path be paved with success and guided by love. Best wishes, my friend."
23. "May you have all the love your heart can hold, all the happiness a day can bring, and all the blessings a life can unfold. I hope you have a happy birthday, friend!"
24. "Dear friend, let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words."
25. "Happy birthday, friend! You are only young once so enjoy it to the fullest. Time passes way too fast and you don’t get these years back."
26. "Forget the past, good friend; look forward to the future, for the best things are yet to come."
27. "Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake, friend, so dig in!"
28. "Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you. Happy birthday, friend!"
29. "Have a wonderful, happy, healthy birthday, friend, now and forever."
30. "Life is a journey, friend. Enjoy every mile."
Happy Birthday Wishes for Best Friend
31. "Birthdays come around every year, but best friends like you only come once in a lifetime. I'm so glad you came into my life. Best wishes on your special day."
32. "Happy Birthday to my amazing, beautiful, and fabulous best friend."
33. "Happy Birthday to my irreplaceable best friend."
34. "Wishing my best friend a beautiful day. Hopes and dreams I'm sending your way. May all be good and all come true on this very special day for you."
35. "Happy Birthday. My partner in crime, my very best friend."
36. "Today is not just your special day, it is even mine. Because today was the day when my best friend came into this world. If it were not for today, my life wouldn't have been half the fun it is. I owe so much to you. I love you, buddy. Happy Birthday."
37. "My wish for you is not only my love for you. Thank you for being there for me. Have a great birthday, friend."
38. "Dear friend ... just like a diamond, you are precious ... I just love having you in my life ... Happy Birthday dear friend."
39. "Happy Birthday to my best friend the one who laughs at my jokes and cries with me during my heartaches. I love you and will always be here for you."
40. "I promise that the more birthday candles you blow, the more I will be here for you to celebrate every special event in your life, BFF."
41. "To my best friend... all your other friends will promise to attend your parties, but leave shortly after. I promise to stay back even after the party's over. Happy Birthday."
42. "Happy Birthday to one of my best friends! Here's to another year of laughing at our own jokes and keeping each other sane."
43. "Happy Birthday to someone I hope is still my friend even when we're too senile to remember each other's birthdays."
44. "Thanks for all the fun times growing up, bestie. I would not be the same person today if it weren’t for you, friend."
45. "Someone I love was born today. Thanks for being here, best friend. "
46. "Throughout my life, you have always been the strength that holds me up in the stormiest of times. I love you, best friend. Happy birthday!"
47. "You are my compass. My BFF. Thanks for always showing me the right path and for guiding me in the right direction. For that, I love you! Happy birthday!"
48. "You are my kind of crazy and that is what life is really about! Happy birthday, best friend."
49. "Life should be lived with a smile on your face and no one does a better job of putting one on my face than my best friend. Happy birthday!"
50. "You’ve always been there for me, and I will always be there for you, friend. Happy birthday!"
51. "A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are – even if you are getting older. Thank you for being that friend, and happy birthday."
52. "The older I get, the more I realize that I am still a little younger than you! Happy birthday, old friend."
53. "A birthday means that you are a year older, but a birthday party means you get to act 10 years younger. Let's celebrate, my friend! Happy birthday."
54. "No matter what life throws at us, I will always have your back, best friend. Happy birthday!"
55. "You have the biggest heart in the world! Thank you for keeping me in it. Happy birthday, best friend!"
56. "One birthday will not make you old. Even a dozen will not make you old. Maybe you should have stopped counting there though. Happy birthday, friend. Again."
57. "Happy birthday to the greatest gift I have ever received — my best friend. I love you!"
58. "You are getting kind of old, friend, but I still like you anyway."
59. "You have been there for me no matter what. I love you, my dear friend, and I am so excited to share your special day with you. Your birthday is going to be truly special."
60. "I wish I could turn back the clock. I’d find you sooner and love you longer. Happy birthday, to my best friend."
Happy Birthday Wishes for Female Friends
61. "Happy Birthday beautiful friend. May your day be as beautiful as you are."
62. "Every day, you sparkle, beautiful woman, but today you rule! Happy Birthday, friend."
63. "Fabulosity has no age, friend. Happy Birthday, Girl!"
64. "Happy Birthday, friend. We weren't sisters by birth, but we knew from the start ... Fate brought us together to be sisters by heart."
65. "Whew, what a year! You deserve to sit back with a pillow under your feet, an umbrella in your drink, and the absolute conviction that you, my friend are one hell of an amazing woman."
66. "Take every birthday with a grain of salt, dear friend. This works much better if the salt accompanies a large margarita."
67. "Happiness is having a girlfriend like you. Sending you love today."
68. "Today is your day, lady. Dance with fairies, dear friend. Ride a unicorn, swim with mermaids, and chase rainbows."
69. "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." — Lucille Ball
70. "A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age." — Robert Frost
71. "Friends are the family you choose. Happy birthday to my sister from another mister!"
72. "Today is not the end of another year, but the start of a new one, dear friend. Happy birthday, lady, and here's to your best year yet."
73. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Happy birthday, beautiful friend, from afar. Missing you, girl."
74. "For your birthday, I just want to say: I hope you can see how special you are to me. Happy birthday, my lovely friend!"
75. "Happy birthday from one sister to another!"
76. "Over the years, I’ve had a number of friends, but none ever made me feel as happy as you make me feel. I’m so blessed to have a friend like you in this lifetime. Happy birthday, to the prettiest woman, and best friend around."
77. "Wishing a happy and blessed birthday to the most wonderful woman I have ever known. Thank you for being my friend and by my side all these years."
78. "I am happy to celebrate this special day with one of the most understanding woman I know. You are humble, but great, my friend. Enjoy this sweet day, and happy birthday."
79. "Happy birthday to the prettiest and most loving woman I have ever known. Today is your special day, friend, and my wish for you is that all your dreams come true."
80. "Meeting you was a blessing, good friend. You are always on my mind, and forever in my heart. Today, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my queen."
81. "Dear friend, I am grateful to have a woman like you in my life. Happy birthday and I must say, every moment spent with you is sacred."
82. "Happy Birthday to the most awesome woman in the world. I know you’ve been waiting for this day, friend, so let's celebrate in style!"
83. "Happy birthday, friend — I hope this special day will be memorable and unforgettable. I hope your day is filled with joy, laughter, happiness, love, and everything that a woman deserves."
84. "You have always been here to offer your support through thick and thin. And for that, friend, I want to wish Happy Birthday to a remarkable woman."
85. "There is a saying that too much of everything is bad. But they have not met you, friend. Too much of you is heavenly. Happy birthday to the most beautiful woman in the world."
86. "I want to say happy birthday to the prettiest woman, to whom I wish lots of love, health, happiness, passion, and strength. Enjoy your day, sweet friend."
87. "Happy Birthday to the most beautiful flower in the entire world. No matter what, you always look young and beautiful, friend. I don't know how you do it. But I appreciate it."
88. "I appreciate your presence in my life, and wouldn’t trade it for all the fortune in this universe. That’s how much your friendship means to me, my dear. Have a phenomenally exciting and memorable birthday today. Love you!"
89. "Who needs a miracle when one has a wonderful sister and a true friend like you! Thank you for being such an amazing and dependable sister to me. Happy birthday."
90. "Amazing smile, strong character, loving, respectful, and a remarkable woman. That is what you are, friend. You how to make something good out of a bad situation. And that is something rare. Happy Birthday."
Happy Birthday Wishes for Male Friends
91. "Happy Birthday. May each and every moment of your special day be filled with the same joy and happiness you bring to others, good friend."
92. "Happy Birthday to my incredible friend. I hope the year ahead is full of reasons to celebrate."
93. "I wish for you tremendous love, luck and laughter. For today, tomorrow and for days thereafter. Have a wonderful birthday, friend!"
94. "Happy Birthday from one superhero friend to another."
95. "Yes, it's a special day, because the kindest and beautiful hearted man was born on this special day. Happy birthday, friend, thanks for joining in on life."
96. "Happy Birthday to one of the few friends whose birthday I can remember without a Facebook reminder."
97. "I will sing "Happy Birthday" to you so much, you'll wish you'd never been born ... Happy Birthday, good friend!"
98. "For your birthday, I wanted to give you something that was both funny and charming, but then I remembered you already have a friend like me in your life."
99. "Wishing you all the great things in life, good sir, hope this day will bring you an extra share of all that makes you happiest. Happy birthday, friend."
100. "Some people get wiser with age, good friend. Some people get richer with age. But everybody gets older with age. So good luck on the other two, man, and happy birthday!"
101. "Happiness is having a guy friend like you. Sending you hugs today, and wishing you a happy, healthy birthday!"
102. "Happy birthday, Dude! You’re not old, you’re vintage!"
103. ""Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter. Happy birthday, friend." — Satchel Paige
104. "Being young is a privilege. Being attractive a genetic gift. Being cool, that is all you, good friend. Happy birthday."
105. "Take the day off. Put your feet up. You deserve it! Happy birthday, friend."
106. "So many candles for such a small cake? Happy birthday, old man."
107. "Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs." — John Glenn
108. "Work hard. Play hard. Eat lots of cake, good friend. That’s a good motto for your birthday and for life."
109. "You don’t get older, you get better." — Shirley Bassey
110. "Let this day be full of joy and celebration. I wish you an outstanding and fabulous birthday, good friend!"
111. "They say men get better with age, but at least you’re not as old as you will be next year. Happy birthday, friend."
112. "Happy birthday to the man who inspired me to dream big and to work hard in achieving that dream. Thanks for being my friend."
113. "Happy birthday, buddy. On this day, may you be blessed with the things that put a smile on your face. Thanks, friend."
114. "Congrats on your birthday, buddy. May this glorious day mark the beginning of great prosperity, happiness, and success in your life. You deserve it, good friend!"
115. "Wishing a fabulous birthday to a wonderful man. May happiness be your best buddy and accompany you until the end of time, good friend. Have a great one."
116. "Happy birthday, good-lookin’! I hope this day is as special as you are, good friend. Take some time to celebrate yourself and enjoy it to the fullest!"
117. "Wishing a glorious birthday to a great pal who has always been there to offer me strength when weakness overpowers me. Thank you for everything. May you enjoy every moment of your great life. God bless you, friend."
118. "Best wishes on your birthday, Handsome! You make every age look good, friend, and this year is no exception. Time to celebrate!"
119. "Happy birthday, friend. I feel blessed every day because I have a wonderful man like you in my life."
120. “Handsome” is an understatement when it comes to you! Best wishes on your special day, good friend! I hope it is full of love, laughter, and fun."
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Kayla Cavanagh is a writer and editor who focuses on pop culture, quotes and relationships.