What to write to an uncle or aunt

Uncles and aunts get the best job in the family: all of the fun, none of the discipline. The cards should sound like that.

Forty-five messages below, for birthdays, thank yous and cards written by children.

Uncle birthday messages

• Happy birthday to the uncle who taught me all the things Mum told me not to do.
• Happy birthday - still the coolest one in this family, low bar though it is.
• Have a great day. Save some cake for the rest of us.
• Happy birthday, Uncle [name]. Thanks for always being on my side.
• Another year older and no more sensible. Perfect. Shop this card
• Happy birthday to my favourite uncle - do not tell the other one.

Aunt birthday messages

• Happy birthday to the aunt who always knows what is actually going on.
• Happy birthday - thank you for the advice Mum could not give me.
• Have a lovely day. You deserve a proper fuss.
• Happy birthday, Auntie [name]. You are the fun one and everyone knows it.
• Wishing you a brilliant birthday and a very large glass of something.
• Happy birthday to the woman who has never once forgotten mine.

Thank you to an uncle or aunt

• Thank you for the lifts, the loans and the never mentioning either.
• Thank you for turning up to every single school play.
• Thank you for being the one I could ring at any hour.
• Thank you for the summer we still talk about.
• Thank you for treating me like an adult before anyone else did.

From a niece or nephew (written by a parent)

• Happy birthday Uncle [name], love from [child], age 5.
• Thank you for my present. It was the best one.
• To my auntie - you are the best. Love [child].
• Happy birthday! Come and see us soon, we miss you.

Funny lines

• Happy birthday - officially old enough to be an uncle in a sitcom.
• Thanks for being the reason my parents lowered their expectations.
• You are the family's designated bad influence and we would not change it.
• Happy birthday. Same time next year, same jokes.

Great-aunts, great-uncles and distant relatives

• Thinking of you and hoping this finds you well.
• Happy birthday - the family would not be the same without you.
• Thank you for the stories nobody else remembers.
• Wishing you a lovely day from all of us down south.

Browse all birthday cards

How to write it so it lands

• Reference one shared memory. It is the whole point of a family card.
• Spell out which niece or nephew you are if the family is large.

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Frequently asked questions

What do you write in an uncle's birthday card?

One joke and one true thing. 'Happy birthday to the uncle who taught me to drive badly - thanks for always being in my corner' lands better than either half alone.

How do you sign a card from a whole family?

Name everyone, including the children and the dog if it is that kind of family. It is what makes a family card feel like one.