Best of: cards and gifts guides

Our picks for the best cards and gifts by recipient, milestone and occasion. There are 8 guides in this section, all free to read and copy from.

Every one is written for a specific moment rather than in general, so pick the closest fit and take the lines you need.

• The best birthday cards for mum
  Our pick of the best birthday cards for mum, plus how to choose one she'll actually keep and what to write inside.
• The best birthday cards for dad
  Our pick of the best birthday cards for dad, from the properly funny to the quietly heartfelt.
• The best 60th birthday gifts
  Our pick of 60th birthday gifts by budget, plus what to avoid and how much people actually spend.
• The best 50th birthday gifts
  50th birthday gift picks by budget, plus what to skip and how much to spend.
• The best funny birthday cards
  Our pick of the funniest birthday cards, from mild puns to properly rude, and how to choose the right level.
• The best retirement gifts
  Retirement gift picks for colleagues and family, plus how much to collect and what to write.
• The best teacher thank you gifts
  End of term gift picks for teachers and TAs, with budgets and what teachers say they actually want.
• The best anniversary cards
  Anniversary card picks for partners and couples, including milestone years, and what to write.

Other guide topics

• What to write in a card
• Messages by recipient
• Sorry, etiquette and awkward moments
• How much to spend
• Jokes and humour
• Puns and wordplay
• Rhymes, poems and quotes
• Riddles and quizzes
• Games and activities
• Party planning
• Decorations and how-to
• Fancy dress and themes
• Family milestones
• Celebrations
• Work and colleagues
• Speeches and toasts
• Cheering someone up
• Feel-good reading
• Christmas and seasonal
• Secret Santa
• Festivals and world celebrations
• Christenings and faith milestones
• Charity and fundraising
• Badges and pins
• Card design and how cards work

Back to all guides

Where to shop next

• All guides
• Card ideas
• Gift shop: anniversary cards, gifts and party games
• Browse all cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

How many best of: cards and gifts guides are there?

There are 8 in this section, and the full directory has 275 guides across 26 topics.

Are these free to use?

Yes. Copy any message, joke or checklist straight into a card or a party plan. You do not need to buy anything.