Congratulations Cards: The Complete Guide

Congratulations cards: what to buy and what to write

Congratulations cards cover more ground than any other card on the shelf. A new job, a promotion, exam results, a first house, a driving test, a baby, an engagement. The card has to match the size of the news, and "congratulations" on its own rarely does.

This page is the starting point for all of it: which card to pick, what to write inside, and links to every congratulations guide we've written. Everything we sell is drawn in house, printed in the UK and posted first class, usually the same working day.

Which congratulations card suits which news

  • New job or promotion: funny works best, because they're still nervous about starting.
  • Exam results: keep it short and proud. They'll read it once and then go out.
  • Driving test: the joke writes itself, and this is the one card they'll keep on a shelf.
  • Engagement or wedding: warm, not cheeky, unless you know them very well.
  • New home: practical humour about boxes and mortgages lands better than anything sentimental.
  • New baby: congratulate the parents, not just the baby.

Congratulations messages that aren't just 'well done'

  • Congratulations. Nobody's surprised, which is the biggest compliment we can give you.
  • You worked for this one. Enjoy every bit of it.
  • Well deserved, long overdue and absolutely brilliant news.
  • So proud of you. Go and celebrate properly.
  • Remember us when you're famous.

Congratulations pin badges

A badge in the envelope turns a card into a small present.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a congratulations card?

Name the thing they've done, say why it doesn't surprise you, and add one detail only you'd know. Three lines beats a paragraph of generic praise.

Is it congratulations or congratulations on?

Both are fine. 'Congratulations on the new job' is the safest wording for anything work related; a plain 'Congratulations' works for everything else.

Do you send a congratulations card for exam results?

Yes, and it's one of the few cards teenagers actually keep. Send it on results day if you can, or the day after.

How quickly do your congratulations cards arrive?

Orders placed on a working day are usually posted the same day. First Class is normally next working day; Second Class is meant to take two working days but can take up to five.

Are the cards blank inside?

Yes. Every card is blank inside so the message is yours.