There's something lovely about finding a birthday card that's just so them.

You know the one. You spot it and immediately think of your friend who can't resist a bunch of flowers, your dad who talks endlessly about his car, or that one person who's always first to suggest opening a bottle of fizz.

At Whistlefish, we believe a birthday card should be more than something you open and put away. Created by our in-house artists in Cornwall, our cards bring together original artwork, quality papers and thoughtful details to make every birthday feel a little more special.

So, whether you're looking for a funny birthday card, something floral or a thoughtful design for someone special, we've brought together 25 of our favourite birthday cards, along with 25 messages to help you find the perfect words.

And with our 10 cards for £12 offer, you might just find a few favourites for birthdays still to come.

25 beautiful birthday cards for everyone on your list

1. Pink floral cake Birthday card

Let's start with two things that make almost any birthday better: cake and flowers. This lovely little combination is perfect for someone who appreciates the prettier things in life, especially if they're the type to insist they don't want a fuss, but secretly love being spoiled on their birthday.

What to write:

"Wishing you a birthday filled with all your favourite things, plenty of cake and a little extra spoiling. Have the loveliest day!"

2. Hedgehogs Pop Champagne Birthday Card

Who knew hedgehogs could be such party animals? We absolutely love a birthday card that doesn't take itself too seriously, and this one certainly knows how to celebrate. Perfect for the friend who's always up for a laugh, a glass of something bubbly and an excuse to get everyone together.

What to write:

"Here's to another year of laughs, lovely memories and a few glasses of bubbly along the way. Happy Birthday!"

3. Classic Cars Birthday Card

We all know someone who can identify a car from the tiniest glimpse of its headlights. Whether they're a classic car enthusiast, love a Sunday drive or have been talking about their dream motor for years, this birthday card is right up their street.

What to write:

"Hope your birthday is a classic! Wishing you a brilliant day and another year full of great adventures."

4. Daisy Chain Lovely Friend Birthday Card

Some friends deserve a little extra love on their birthday. The ones who remember the small things, always make time for a catch-up and somehow know exactly when you need cheering up. This sweet daisy chain design is a lovely way to remind a wonderful friend just how much they mean to you.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday to such a lovely friend! So grateful for all our laughs, chats and memories. Here's to making plenty more together."

5. Navy Balloons Birthday Card

You can't really go wrong with birthday balloons, can you? There's something about them that instantly makes a day feel like a celebration. This classic birthday card is a great all-rounder, especially for those people who are surprisingly difficult to buy for. We all have at least one!

What to write:

"Sending lots of birthday wishes your way! Hope your day is full of lovely surprises and everything that makes you happy."

6. Tini Bit Older Birthday Card

For the friend who appreciates a good cocktail almost as much as a terrible pun. Getting older might be inevitable, but at least there's something to laugh about along the way. We think this one's especially good for the person who insists they're still 25, no matter how many birthdays have passed.

What to write:

"Another year older, another excuse for cocktails! Here's to getting older without necessarily growing up. Happy Birthday!"

7. Bright Wildflowers Birthday Card

Know someone who can't walk past a florist without having a little look? This one's for them. Full of colourful wildflowers, it's the kind of birthday card that deserves a spot on display. And the best bit? Unlike a fresh bunch of flowers, these blooms will last as long as they want to keep them.

What to write:

"Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, with lots of love, laughter and wonderful little moments to look forward to."

8. Beers Bottles Birthday Card

For the person who knows their favourite pint, has strong opinions about the best pub and is always happy to join you for a drink. Sometimes you don't need anything overly sentimental. Just a good birthday card, a few kind words and perhaps the promise of a pint together soon.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday! Hope there's a cold one waiting for you and plenty of reasons to raise a glass. Cheers to another great year!"

9. Giraffe Giggles Birthday Card

We have a soft spot for animal birthday cards, especially when they're as full of character as this one. If you're shopping for someone who's always making people laugh or simply loves anything a little quirky, a giraffe might just be the unexpected birthday surprise they didn't know they needed.

What to write:

"Hope your birthday is full of giggles, fun and lots of lovely surprises. Have the best day!"

10. Fizz Flowers Birthday Card

Flowers are lovely. A bottle of fizz is lovely. Put the two together and you've got a pretty good birthday combination. This one's made for the person who loves a celebration, whether that means a big birthday gathering or a quiet evening with their favourite people.

What to write:

"Here's to you! Wishing you a birthday full of happiness, lovely company and a little something bubbly. You deserve it!"

 

 

11. Football Birthday Card

If their weekends revolve around kick-off times, match results and checking the league table, you've probably found their birthday card. Whether they're playing five-a-side every week or cheering from the sofa, this is a great choice for someone who lives and breathes football.

What to write:

"Hope your birthday is an absolute winner! Wishing you a fantastic day and plenty of reasons to celebrate."

12. Painted Paradise Shells Birthday Card

There's always that one person who would choose a day at the beach over almost anything else. The one who comes home with pockets full of shells and never seems to tire of being beside the sea. With its painted shell artwork, this birthday card is a lovely reminder of their favourite place.

What to write:

"Wishing you a birthday full of all the things that make you happiest. Here's to more adventures, lovely days out and memories worth keeping."

13. Special Day Cake Birthday Card

Some birthdays deserve an extra slice of cake. Actually, we'd argue they all do. This cheerful birthday cake design is a lovely choice when you want to make someone feel properly celebrated. It's classic, fun and all about making their day feel special.

What to write:

"Today is all about you! Hope your birthday is filled with lovely surprises, your favourite people and an extra-large slice of cake."

14. Poppies Birthday Card

There's something about a striking floral illustration that makes you want to keep looking at it. Our Poppies Birthday Card is a lovely choice for someone who appreciates artwork, flowers or a card that feels a little different from the usual birthday balloons and cake.

What to write:

"Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year ahead filled with happiness, good health and lots of lovely things to look forward to."

15. Howdy Birthday Card

Well, howdy birthday! Some people are impossible to buy a serious card for, and quite frankly, we wouldn't want to. This playful design is perfect for someone who loves a bit of fun and doesn't mind being the centre of attention for a day.

What to write:

"Howdy, birthday girl! Hope you have yourself a brilliant day, filled with good company, plenty of laughs and all your favourite things."

16. Fun Candle Niece Birthday Card

Whether she's the little niece who still gets excited about blowing out her candles or the one who's growing up far too quickly, birthdays are a lovely excuse to remind her how special she is. This fun candle design brings all the excitement of birthday wishes and cake.

 

What to write:

"Happy Birthday to a wonderful niece! Hope your day is full of fun, laughter and everything you love. Enjoy every minute!"

17. Sail Boats Birthday Card

Perhaps they own a boat, dream of owning one or simply love watching the sails go by from their favourite spot on the coast. Either way, this sailing-inspired birthday card is a lovely way to choose something that feels personal to them. Especially if being near the water is their idea of a perfect day.

What to write:

"Wishing you a fantastic birthday and smooth sailing for the year ahead. Hope it's full of wonderful days and new adventures!"

18. Tall Flowers Birthday Card

For the person who always has a vase of flowers on the table, even when there's no special occasion. We love how a floral birthday card can feel like giving someone a little bunch of flowers through the post. And when the artwork is this lovely, there's every chance it'll stay on display long after their birthday.

What to write:

"Sending you lots of love on your birthday. Hope today brings a little extra happiness your way, and the year ahead is full of wonderful things."

19. Elephant Digger Birthday Card

An elephant and a digger? That's a pretty brilliant birthday combination if you ask us. This fun design is made for little ones who love anything with wheels, building things or animals with big personalities. Just imagine the excitement when they open their birthday card and see this waiting for them.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday, superstar! Hope your special day is packed with fun, big adventures and lots and lots of cake!"

20. Happiest Of Birthday Card

Sometimes you simply want to wish someone the happiest birthday possible, and that's more than enough. This cheerful design is a great choice for almost anyone, from a lovely colleague to a friend you haven't seen in a while. A good reminder that birthday wishes don't need to be complicated to mean something.

What to write:

"Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! Hope you have a wonderful day and that the year ahead brings lots of reasons to smile."

21. Cycling Birthday Card

For the person who's happiest on two wheels. You know the type: up early for a bike ride, always planning their next route and somehow finding a way to mention cycling in every conversation. Choosing a card that celebrates something they love is a simple way to make their birthday wishes feel that little bit more personal.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday! Here's to another year of great rides, new adventures and plenty of well-earned cake stops along the way."

22. Viola Birthday Card

Not everyone wants a birthday card covered in confetti and party hats. Some people prefer something a little more understated. With its pretty viola artwork, this card is a lovely choice for someone who appreciates flowers, thoughtful design and the quieter little details.

What to write:

"Thinking of you on your birthday and sending lots of love. Hope you have a really lovely day, doing all the things that make you happy."

23. Painted Paradise Flamingo Birthday Card

There's nothing shy about a flamingo, and that's exactly why we love this one. It's colourful, full of personality and a brilliant choice for someone who likes their birthday cards to be a little more fun. Perfect for the friend who always stands out from the crowd.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday to someone who's one of a kind! Keep being your wonderful self, and have the most fabulous day."

24. Blue Balloons Grandson Birthday Card

Grandsons have a funny way of growing up before you know it. One minute they're little enough to need help blowing out the candles, and the next they're celebrating another birthday that seems to have arrived far too quickly. This balloon-filled card is a lovely way to make sure he knows you're thinking of him.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday to a very special grandson! We're so proud of you and hope your day is filled with everything you love. Lots of love!"

25. Dotty Cake Birthday Card

And finally, because no birthday card collection would be complete without a really good cake. This playful dotty design has everything we love about a classic birthday celebration. It's cheerful, full of fun and just the thing to make someone smile before they've even read what's inside.

What to write:

"Happy Birthday! Hope your day is as lovely as you are, with plenty of cake, lots of laughter and all your favourite people around you."

Not sure what to write in a birthday card?

Sometimes finding the perfect card is the easy part. Finding the right words can be a little trickier.

Our advice? Keep it personal. A favourite memory, a little inside joke or simply a few heartfelt words can make someone's birthday card all the more special.

A little card can mean an awful lot

Whether it's a funny birthday card that makes someone laugh or a thoughtful design they keep for years, there's something special about taking the time to choose a card just for them.

And with 10 cards for £12, you can have a little collection of birthday wishes ready for all the lovely people in your life.