80 birthday wishes for your coworker (because sometimes cards are hard, okay?)

n an office full of people, chances are you're going to have to sign a birthday card every now and then. And if you're a perfectionist, that can be stressful. There are so many elements at play—you want a message that's cute, but not too cute. Something a little more creative than just “happy birthday!” but something that isn't flowery, either. Don’t worry! Perfection is possible.

Because we feel it is our sacred duty to make your life a little easier, we've compiled a list of funny, sweet, and even sentimental birthday wishes suitable for any coworker relationship. There's even a section of birthday wishes for your boss, because whew, we all know how complicated *that* 'ship can be.

Feel free to take any of the below and add some fun details to make 'em a little more personal. That said, it's probably a good idea to avoid mentioning that time they got too drunk at a work function or the fact that they hate their job—you never know where that card might end up, lol.

Okay, now that we've got a handle on that, go forth and navigate office social politics with confidence! (And FYI, if you need some gift ideas for your coworker or your boss, we've got quite a few of those too.)

Simple Birthday Wishes for a Coworker

• Happy birthday to the best coworker I could ever ask for! Life is better with you in it!
   
• I’m so glad we get to work together (even if we have to actually work together). Happy birthday!
   
• Happy birthday to someone who always makes the office a brighter place!
   
• Wishing you a very happy birthday, hope it's a great year (and not just fiscal quarter)!
   
• There’s no one I’d rather chat with on Slack. Happy birthday to my fave coworker!
   
• Happy birthday to the most stylish person in the office. Seriously, if we had superlatives here, you'd be Best Dressed, hands down.
   
• Take a day off and celebrate! You definitely deserve it after this last quarter/week.
   
• Happy birthday to my fave coworker! It's so nice to have someone I *actually* like around the office!
   
• Remember to smile awkwardly as the whole office sings to you later!
   
• Thanks for having a birthday because now we all get cake!
   
• Happy birthday to the coworker who’s always there to answer my questions about [work topic]. Even when I ask them 20 times.
   
• Wishing a very happy birthday to my favorite office pal. Sorry for being annoying 95 percent of the time.
   
• Happy birthday to someone I can always count on for a laugh! It always makes my day better!
   
• Happy birthday to someone who’s always willing to go on a coffee walk with me!
   
• I hope you get out of all your meetings today…you deserve it!
   
• HBD! May you get a much-deserved promotion during this next trip around the sun.
   
• I’d hire you a million times over!
   
• Take an extra-long lunch today, okay?
   
• You’re getting older and wiser, and even Taylor Swift says that’s hard!
   
• May your birthday be wonderful and your PTO be plentiful.
   
• Happy birthday! Let’s take a Summer Friday together and celly.
   

Short Birthday Wishes for a Boss

• Happy birthday to a boss who makes the office a great place to come to work each day.
   
• Happy birthday, boss! It's been so great getting to know you.
   
• It’s so wonderful to have someone like you as our leader. Happy birthday!
   
• I can’t thank you enough for your mentorship and your advocacy. Enjoy your day!
   
• Wishing a very happy birthday to a wonderful manager. I know it's not always a walk in the park!
   
• You're the [king/queen] of this whole team! HBD!
   
• Your vision for this organization continues to inspire all of us (sappy, but true). Happy birthday!
   
• Since it’s your birthday, we made sure to save some sprinkle donuts [or whatever office/workplace treat they like] for you!
   
• I know you’ve worked especially hard over this last quarter, now it’s time to relax and celebrate your day!
   
• May all your birthday wishes come true! Even if you wished for a break from our team!
   
• You deserve a vacation for putting up with all of us! Hope you at least take a nice long break to celebrate your birthday.
   
• You make it all look so easy. Now make sure to take it easy today!
   
• Don’t tell anyone I said this, but you’re the best boss I’ve ever had. HBD!
   
• Promise I won’t bother you with eight million questions today! (No promises re: tomorrow.)
   
• Never not looking up to you! You inspire me on the daily.
   
• Happy birthday! Please don’t ever leave me!
   
• Low-key want you to be my boss for the rest of my life. (Like, even when I’m retired.)
   

Touching Birthday Wishes for a Coworker

• You’ve done a great job bringing our team together over this past year. I’m so happy to be working alongside you!
   
• Although we’re all remote, you’ve done an amazing job of making everyone feel connected and welcome. Happy birthday to a fantastic friend and coworker!
   
• Happy birthday!! I seriously cannot thank you enough for all you did on [XYZ project], I hope you know how much I value your hard work. Now go enjoy your day!
   
• Happy birthday to someone who’s a fantastic coworker and an even better friend.
   
• Happy birthday to the leader who truly brings out the best in me—and everyone else.
   
• Wishing you a birthday that’s as special as you are! I would give you the world if I could.
   
• I hope you see yourself the way I see you: smart, capable, kind, and strong. Have the best birthday, you deserve it!
   
• The best decision [company] ever made was hiring you! Happy birthday!
   
• Some workdays may be long, but I know I can always count on you to come through with a fab attitude that lifts the rest of us up!
   
• Here’s to another year of Friday lunch dates and post-work happy hours! They always make my day.
   
• I hope you know how much you’re appreciated, today and every day!
   
• “Work wife” isn’t a strong enough term for how much you mean to me!
   
• Coworkers → Friends → Family. So grateful for you today and every day!
   
• Happy, happy birthday! Your future is so bright!
   
• Seeing you in the office is always the best part of my day! Thankful for you, birthday bb.
   
• You're always there to lend an ear or hand and I can't thank you enough for that. Happy birthday!
   
• I hope I can be half the person—and employee!—you are one day. Happy birthday.

Funny Birthday Wishes for a Coworker

• HBD, work bestie. Quite literally could not do it without you.
   
• If they ever find our Slack convos…we’ve never even met, okay? Happy birthday to my favorite shit-talker!
   
• Happy birthday, friend! Does this special day warrant a drink with lunch?
   
• Honestly…I’m not sure I would be able to wake up for work in the morning if I didn’t have you. Thanks for that and happy birthday!
   
• I’m not sure why we’re not in charge of shit yet, but maybe by your next birthday!
   
• You deserve a birthday bonus. And honestly, so do I.
   
• Soooo...happy hour later? Or now?
   
• If you leave early today, I won’t tell anyone.
   
• Thank you for always supporting my Slack jokes
   
• Happy birthday to the best rant listener around…IDK where I’d be without you.
   
• HBD to the queen of midday gabbing. You’re the absolute best.
   
• From coffee hour to happy hour, I’ll always be by your side. Happy birthday!
   
• Cheers to another year of hustling and looking damn good doing it. HBD!
   
• You’re aging like fine wine. Maybe we should drink some under our desks later?
   
• Hoping your office crush wishes you HBD today, but if they don’t…happy birthday from me!
   
• Without you, there’s a solid chance I’d be unemployed. Happy birthday and thanks for ensuring I still get a paycheck!
   

Birthday Wishes for a Coworker You Aren’t That Close With
​​​​​​​

• Happy birthday! So glad you’re a part of the team and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
   
• Hope you have a wonderful birthday—let’s grab lunch (on me) sometime!
   
• Our team wouldn’t be where we are without you! Hope you take time today to celebrate.
   
• Happy, happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day. Drinks after work sometime soon?
   
• Hope today is as fabulous as you are!
   
• The team and I are so glad you’re here! Hope you feel special today.
   
• Cheers to you, and here’s to getting even closer in the next year!
   
• Let’s! Eat! Cake! (Happy birthday.)
   
• Coffee’s on me today, if you’re up for it! 

This piece originally appeared in Cosmopolitan USA 

Story complied by Hannah Chubb and Annabel Iwegbue