What to write in a card
The right thing to write depends far more on who you are writing to than on the occasion. Pick the pairing and get lines and etiquette written for exactly that card.
Birthday cards
- What to write in a birthday card for a coworkerWarm without being familiar, specific without being personal. Lines you can sign for someone you like but do not see outside work.
- What to write in a birthday card for your bossAppreciative without tipping into flattery. Lines that work whether you report to them directly or just sit near them.
- What to write in a birthday card for a friendThe card where you can finally say the thing. Lines for close friends, old friends, and the ones you only see twice a year.
- What to write in a birthday card for familyFor a parent, a sibling, a grandparent or an in-law. Lines that say the thing families usually leave unsaid.
Farewell cards
- What to write in a farewell card for a coworkerThe card that goes round the office before someone's last day. Lines for a colleague you will miss, and for one you hardly knew.
- What to write in a farewell card for your bossFor a manager moving on. Lines that thank them properly without reading as a reference letter.
- What to write in a farewell card for someone on your teamFor a manager writing to someone who is leaving, or for anyone signing a card for a team member they worked with daily.
- What to write in a goodbye card for a friend who is moving awayFor the friend leaving town, the country, or just your daily routine. Lines that say you will miss them without making the move harder.
Wedding cards
- What to write in a wedding card for a coworkerFor the card going round the office before someone's wedding. Warm, appropriate, and not overly familiar about their private life.
- What to write in a wedding card for a friendFor the friend getting married. Lines with something actually in them, for a card that gets kept in a box forever.
- What to write in a wedding card for familyFor a sibling, a cousin, a child or a new in-law. Lines that welcome someone in as well as congratulating the couple.
New baby cards
- What to write in a new baby card for a coworkerFor the card the team signs before someone goes on parental leave, or the one that gets sent after the baby arrives.
- What to write in a new baby card for a friendFor a friend who has just had a baby. Lines that are about them as well as about the baby.
- What to write in a new baby card for familyFor a new grandchild, niece, nephew or cousin. Lines that go in the memory box rather than the recycling.
Retirement cards
- What to write in a retirement card for a coworkerFor someone finishing a long career. Lines that mark what they built rather than just wishing them a good rest.
- What to write in a retirement card for your bossFor a manager or director retiring. Lines that credit what they built without reading like a farewell speech.
- What to write in a retirement card for someone on your teamFor a manager writing to a retiring team member, or for anyone who worked alongside them daily for years.
- What to write in a retirement card for a parent or family memberFor a mum, a dad, a grandparent or an aunt finishing a working life. Lines that honour the career and look forward to the time it hands back.
Get well cards
- What to write in a get well card for a coworkerFor someone off sick. Lines that are kind without prying, and that do not accidentally ask them to hurry back.
- What to write in a get well card for a friendFor a friend who is ill or recovering. Lines that show up properly rather than hovering politely at a distance.
- What to write in a get well card for familyFor a parent, grandparent, sibling or child who is unwell. Lines that reassure as much as they sympathise.
- What to write in a get well card for your bossSupportive without being familiar, and without making them think about work. Lines for a manager who is off sick or recovering.
Thank you cards
- What to write in a thank you card for a coworkerFor someone who covered for you, taught you something, or carried a project. Lines with an actual reason in them.
- What to write in a thank you card for your bossFor a manager who backed you, promoted you, or gave you cover when you needed it. Sincere without sounding like a pitch.
- What to write in a thank you card for someone on your teamFor a manager recognising someone's work. Lines that credit the effort precisely enough to be believed.
- What to write in a thank you card for a friendFor the friend who helped you move, looked after the kids or got you through something. Lines that thank them properly without turning it into a debt.
- What to write in a thank you card for a teacherEnd of year, end of school, or after a teacher went further than they had to. Lines from parents and pupils that say something specific.
Sympathy cards
- What to write in a sympathy card for a coworkerShort, sincere and free of pressure. Lines you can sign for a colleague who has lost someone, whether you are close or barely know them.
- What to write in a sympathy card for a friendWords for a friend who is grieving: honest, warm, and a promise you will still be there after the funeral.
- What to write in a sympathy card for a family memberFor an aunt, a cousin or a grandparent who has lost someone: lines that sit comfortably alongside the rest of the family's.
Work anniversary cards
- What to write in a work anniversary card for a coworkerCongratulations that sound like they came from someone who has actually worked with them. Lines for five, ten or twenty years.
- What to write in a work anniversary card for your bossRecognition that goes up the chain without sounding like flattery. Lines for a manager's milestone year.
- What to write in a work anniversary card for someone on your teamFor managers: recognition that is specific, public and does not read like the annual review. Lines for a report's milestone.
Congratulations cards
- What to write in a congratulations card for a coworkerFor a promotion, a new qualification or big news outside work: lines that are generous and do not sound envious or overfamiliar.
- What to write in a congratulations card for your bossFor a manager's promotion, award or personal news: congratulations that stay warm and steer clear of flattery.
- What to write in a congratulations card for a friendFor the new job, the offer accepted, the exam passed or the finish line crossed: lines that sound like you, only a little tidier.
Welcome cards
- What to write in a welcome card for a new coworkerA line and a name, or a tip and a joke: welcome messages that actually help someone in their first week.
- What to write in a welcome card for a new team memberFor managers welcoming a new report: a message that sets the tone for the first week and the first year.
- What to write in a welcome card for a new managerFor a team welcoming its new boss: friendly, open and not trying too hard. Lines that make a good first impression in both directions.
Holidays cards
- What to write in a holiday card for a coworkerEnd-of-year wishes that are warm, inclusive and a bit more than "Merry Christmas!" Lines for colleagues you like.
- What to write in a holiday card for your bossEnd-of-year thanks for a manager: sincere, brief and a little more personal than the company card.
- What to write in a holiday card for a teacherEnd-of-term thanks from a class or a family: lines that are warm, specific and easy for parents and kids to sign.
Graduation cards
- What to write in a graduation card for a friendFor the friend who made it through: congratulations with a memory, a joke and a toast to whatever comes next.
- What to write in a graduation card for your son, daughter or grandchildFor a child or grandchild who has just graduated: pride, a memory from when they were small, and a blessing for what comes next.
- What to write in a graduation card for a coworkerFor a colleague who finished a degree, a qualification or an evening course alongside the day job: congratulations that recognize the effort.