What To Do When a Card Is Going To Be Late
We design and print cards and prints in the UK and post them ourselves, so the timings below are the ones we work to every day. Royal Mail sets the official dates; we've flagged where the real world differs from the leaflet.
A late card is a small problem people turn into a big one by apologising for four paragraphs. The card still counts. Send it.
Cards, printed and posted the same working day
Order before the afternoon post and it goes out today - First Class gets most late cards there tomorrow.
You Old Bastard (Funny Birthday Card)
£3.87
Happy Birthday Papa (Happy Birthday Card) (Multiple designs)
£3.87
Happy Birthday Bab (Happy Birthday Card) (Multiple designs)
£3.87
Yoda Best Multi-Occasion Greeting Card
£3.87
Happy Birthday Handsome (Happy Birthday Card) (Multiple designs)
£3.87
Fifty & Even More Fabulous Than Ever (50th Birthday Card)
£3.87
Fastest options, in order
- Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm - the only service with a promised time.
- First Class, posted before the last collection - usually next working day.
- Text now, post today. Knowing it's coming fixes most of the damage.
- Second Class is not a rescue option: it's meant to be two working days and can take five.
What to write in a belated card
- Happy belated birthday - the card is late, the thought wasn't.
- Fashionably late, like me at everything.
- I didn't forget. I just extended your birthday for you.
- Sorry this is late. Hope the day was a good one.
- Late card, same amount of love in it.
- Consider this the encore.
- Better late than one of those people who only likes the Facebook post.
- I had this written a week ago and then it lived in my bag.
How to apologise without overdoing it
- One line, inside the card, then move on to them.
- Don't explain. Nobody wants the story of your week.
- Don't promise you'll be better next year unless you mean it.
- Make the rest of the message longer than the apology - that's the actual repair.
- If it's badly late, add something concrete: a date to meet, a phone call booked in.
Stopping it happening again
- Put the date in your calendar with a two week alert, not a same-day one.
- Buy cards in batches so there's always one in the drawer.
- Write and address it the day you buy it, and post it when the alert fires.
- Keep stamps in the same place as the cards.
Never miss the birthday again
Pop in the date and we'll email you a reminder two weeks before, with a link to the right cards. No spam, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
How to write it so it lands
- Text now, post today.
- One line of apology, no explanation.
- Second Class won't rescue a missed date.
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Where to shop next
- When to post a birthday card
- Royal Mail last posting dates
- How long does first and second class take?
- How to post a card so it arrives properly
- What to write in a birthday card
- Wall art and prints
- All guides
- Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
- Birthday badges & party pins
- How to make a balloon arch
- Photo booth prop ideas
- Party bag ideas for adults
- How much helium do you need for balloons?
- Pin badges
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to send a birthday card late?
No. A late card is far better received than no card at all. Keep the apology to one line and spend the rest of the message on them.
What is the fastest way to get a card there?
Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm is the only service with a promised time. First Class posted before the last collection is usually next working day, but it isn't guaranteed.
What do you write in a belated birthday card?
Acknowledge it once - "happy belated birthday, the card is late but the thought wasn't" - then write the message you would have written anyway.