122 Belated Birthday Wishes That Show How Much You Care
Updated: Aug. 06, 2024
Missed an important birthday? Don't panic! These belated birthday wishes for friends, family and colleagues will ensure you're forgiven.
Belated birthday wishes to smooth things over
I recently experienced the power of belated birthday wishes when a friend and I were grabbing lunch. The sandwich apparently sparked a memory. “Oh my goodness! I missed your birthday,” she gasped in horror. She’d made me a sandwich for my birthday last year. (It sounds like a weird gift, but honestly, it was one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever gotten: brie with fig jam and mint on a baguette. I still dream about it.) But this year, she’d forgotten my birthday and not by just a day or two. It was months ago. I wasn’t worried about it—I know she loves me every day of the year—but she felt terrible. Later that day, she gave me a “happy belated birthday” card, and it totally made my day.
No one means to forget a loved one’s birthday, but we all slip up sometimes. “We’re all busy! But life events, like birthdays, are always important to recognize with our family and friends,” says Kelly Browne, an etiquette expert who specializes in writing heartfelt notes. “These are treasured moments in time, so if you miss one, it’s important to still acknowledge it, even after the fact.”
Forgot a friend or family member was turning another year older today? No need to be ashamed, Browne says. Just send belated “happy birthday” wishes as soon as you remember. Even if you’re not sure what to say, the person whose birthday you missed will still be touched to know you’re thinking of them. Ready to write? Read on for an assortment of belated birthday wishes that will help you hit the right note, whether you’re sending them to friends, co-workers or even family members. And hey, isn’t giving your siblings something to hold over you the greatest birthday gift of all?
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Funny belated birthday wishes
- If this were a birthday card, it would be late. But it’s not a birthday card, so it’s not late. This is me not telling you happy birthday.
- These birthday wishes aren’t late—you’re just old and confused. Happy birthday, right on time!
- You always say you love surprises, so … surprise! I forgot your birthday was yesterday.
- Happy belated birthday! You’re always one step ahead of me, which makes this card right on time.
- I know you like to save the best for last, so let me be the last one to wish you a happy birthday!
- Sorry this is late. I was trying to figure out how you could be this old yet look so good!
- Happy belated birthday. I’m so sorry I forgot the date. Consider this permission to forget my birthday next year!
- As the saying goes, if someone forgets your birthday, you don’t get older that year!
- These birthday wishes may be late, but they’ve aged like a fine wine: They’re sweet, delicious and as expensive as the accompanying gift. Happy birthday!
- Happy belated birthday! In ancient times, people would send things belatedly as a sign of love. You’re ancient, so I thought I would honor that.
- Yes, I forgot your birthday. But on the bright side, I also don’t remember your age. Happy birthday!
- Did you think I forgot your birthday? I would never do that—your dog ate the birthday card I sent!
- Hope your birthday was better than my excuse for missing it!
- You’re my age now, so you should understand forgetfulness. Happy belated birthday, old friend!
- Late birthday wishes are just an excuse to eat more cake. You’re welcome!
- Your birthday came. Your birthday went. And here’s the wish I should have sent: Happy birthday!
- I forgot to remember your birthday. And then I remembered that I forgot. And then I took a nap because that’s a lot.
- I’m so sorry I missed your birthday! But at least a friend full of guilt means a really great present.
- The best part of a belated birthday wish is that it’s a happy surprise. I basically threw you a surprise birthday. You’re welcome.
- Am I the only one wishing you a happy belated birthday today? I guess you know who your real friends are…
- The birthday wishes may be late, but the apology is right on schedule.
If you need something else to write in your card alongside those belated “happy birthday” wishes, a funny birthday quote can be just the ticket.
Short belated birthday wishes
- Happy belated birthday! It’s the birthday that keeps on giving.
- It’s a late one but not a fake one! Happy birthday to my dearest friend.
- Hope you’re not deflated that I’m a little belated.
- I know it’s too late to wish you a happy birthday, so instead: Happy today!
- Every year, you’re older and wiser … and more forgiving. Sorry I missed your birthday!
- Sorry these birthday wishes are late—I remembered your birthday but forgot the date!
- Happy birthday to someone truly unforgettable … unlike your birthday. Sorry!
- It’s still your birthday week, right? Happy late birthday!
- I didn’t actually forget your birthday—I just wanted you to be celebrated twice!
- Happy late birthday! See, good things do come to those who wait.
- Roses are red, and violets are blue. I’m sorry these wishes are so overdue.
- It may not be your birthday anymore, but it’s still your birthday in my heart.
- These aren’t late birthday wishes—they’re hundreds of days early!
- It’s still your birthday somewhere. Happy belated!
- Hope you had a wonderful birthday surrounded by people who didn’t forget it.
- I heard you just had a birthday. Sorry I missed it—hope it was spectacular!
- Sorry I missed your birthday! Let me be the first to wish you a happy birthday for next year.
- I may have forgotten your birthday, but I could never forget you.
- Let me be the first to wish you a belated happy birthday.
- Better late than never, right? Happy birthday!
These short and sweet messages leave plenty of room in a card for some laugh-out-loud funny birthday jokes. It’s a good strategy: It’s hard to be mad when you’re cracking up.
Belated birthday wishes from repeat offenders
- Another year, another belated “happy birthday.” But now we have our very own tradition!
- This birthday message may not be on time, but it’s actually the earliest of all the times I’ve been late. At least I’m improving!
- I may have forgotten your birthday again, but at least I didn’t forget that I forgot.
- Happy birthday from your slowest friend. Sorry I’m late (again).
- My birthday wishes may always be late, but at least they always include a great gift to make up for it!
- Sorry for forgetting the day of your birth. As you know, I prefer to celebrate you every day of the year!
- Here are three wishes for your birthday: first, that I remember it next year; second, that you forgive me for forgetting this year; and third, that you have a birthday cake the size of your head. Happy birthday!
- You know I’m always late for everything, and I didn’t want to disappoint you on your birthday. Happy belated!
- Happy birthday! Sorry—that’s for next year. I’d like to get in early.
- As someone who recently turned one year older, I know you understand that time answers to no one—and especially not to me. Happy belated birthday!
- I don’t forget birthdays—I just extend them. Happy birthday week!
- If it helps, I didn’t forget just your birthday. I forgot everyone’s. At least you’re not alone?
- If I sent you a birthday card on time, would you even know it was from me?
- This is what happens when you’re friends with someone as cool as me: You get your birthday wishes fashionably late.
- You know I always say the right thing at the wrong time, and here I go again: Happy birthday!
- Thank goodness you’re friends with me not for my punctuality but for my ability to buy great gifts. Happy birthday!
- It’s your fault I missed your birthday again—you forgot to remind me not to forget your birthday. I forgive you. Happy birthday!
- As Gandalf would say, a birthday card is never late. It arrives precisely when it means to. Happy birthday!
- This year for your birthday, I got us matching calendars: one for me so I don’t forget your birthday again, and one for you so you can remind me.
- You can’t really expect me to remember your birthday when you never look older.
So you’ve made an etiquette mistake … again. Rectify the situation by sending belated birthday wishes, then immediately add this birthday to your calendar (set a notification for a few days before!) so you don’t forget next year.
Belated birthday wishes for friends
- How do you know when you’ve reached adulthood? You find it in your heart to forgive. Sorry I missed your birthday!
- I may be tardy to the party, but I’m here now, and I’ve got my dancin’ pants on. Happy birthday to my favorite person to dance with.
- My deepest apologies for such a late card. Please know I am thinking about you and wishing you everything wonderful for the coming year.
- Anyone can remember your birthday, but only a true friend will remember it even after the date has gone by. Happy belated birthday, bestie!
- Even though these birthday wishes are a bit late, the happiness I wish for you is good on any date.
- Every day with you is special, so a late birthday wish doesn’t really matter … right?
- Happy belated birthday to the most forgiving person I know!
- Everyone else sent you birthday wishes yesterday. Bet they aren’t thinking of you today like I am. Happy belated birthday!
- Happy birthday! I hope you were blessed with everything great on your special day. Sorry that birthday wishes from me weren’t on the list, though.
- You’re my most fun friend, which means that the party is still going and I’m not late for your birthday at all.
- I am guilty of forgetting your birthday. It is a crime not to celebrate someone as awesome as you!
- Happiest of birthdays to the most fun, gorgeous, smart and special friend. (Wasn’t that worth waiting for?)
- I didn’t really “forget” your birthday. I just didn’t remember it on time. Sorry!
- Happy birthday! May these be the least belated of all your late birthday wishes.
- Like a really great dessert, the most heartfelt birthday wishes come to you last of all.
- Yes, this birthday card is late, but it could be worse—there could be a meteor heading for Earth. Happy birthday!
- Sending all the wonderful birthday vibes your way today! And yesterday and the day before and…
- I definitely remembered your birthday. It was just the card that was late. Someone should check on the post office and make sure they’re OK.
- You have so many wonderful characteristics: beauty, charm, grace, humor and forgiveness. Definitely going to need to use that last one today. I’m so sorry I forgot your birthday, my friend.
- I was running so late to wish you a happy birthday that I got an entire cardio workout in. Thanks?
Have you ever wondered why we eat birthday cake? Read up, then share the info with your pal when you grovel and send “happy belated birthday” wishes.
Belated birthday wishes for family
- Sorry these birthday wishes are late—being weighed down with so much love and good vibes made them a bit slow. Happy birthday!
- A belated happy birthday! May every blessing find its way to your door—and hopefully faster than this card did!
- We have always made up after a fight, and I know we’ll find a way to get through me forgetting your birthday. Happy belated!
- I’m so sorry I missed your birthday, but I’m sure it was wonderful nonetheless. It had to have been at least as spectacular as you are.
- I’m so sorry I forgot your birthday. However, you have my permission to use this against me forever.
- Happy late birthday. I’m sorry I missed it, but I didn’t want to remind you that you’re getting older.
- Dear Dad, here is a dad joke to apologize: I must have been in a fog when your birthday came around because I mist it. Sorry!
- Dear Mom, I may have forgotten your birthday, but at least I remembered Mother’s Day. One out of two ain’t bad.
- You always give me great advice. Any idea what to say when you’ve forgotten your beloved family member’s birthday?
- Before I apologize for forgetting your birthday, Mom, there’s something you should keep in mind: They say your children are the greatest gifts of all. Sorry I missed your birthday!
- I thought I would give you some time to come to terms with your age before sending you these birthday wishes.
- I hope your year is as wonderful as this message is late. Seems like you’re in for a pretty great year!
- Happy birthday to my favorite sibling. You’ve always been so understanding and kind and forgiving. Keep that in mind when reading these late “happy birthday” greetings!
- To keep peace in the family, I’m sending a belated birthday card so my siblings all look good. You’re welcome, Mom.
- It’s difficult to appreciate the happy times (like birthday wishes) without the sad times (like me forgetting your birthday). So in a way, I did you a favor!
- Forgiving me for forgetting your birthday comes with a lot of rewards: biggest cake, most expensive wine and a huge gift. Sorry!
- I may be a day late, but once you open that gift, you’ll see I’m not a dollar short. So sorry I missed your big day!
- Family means unconditional love. Please remember this as you open my very late birthday gift!
- There’s a really good reason why I forgot your birthday … but I forgot that too. You see the problem, I think.
- I could never forget the day you were born—it was one of the happiest days of my life. But I do sometimes forget the date. Happy birthday, my beloved son/daughter/sister/brother.
- Please know that a late birthday wish doesn’t mean any less love, well wishes or cake. (I’m serious. I’m bringing you a cake.)
Should you find yourself on the receiving end of some belated birthday gifts, be sure you know the proper way to write thank-you messages.
Belated birthday wishes for co-workers
- Sorry this is late—I had to move your birthday wishes to the next business day.
- Happy belated birthday! Sorry for being late, but I didn’t want to add another email to your inbox.
- Thank you for being more punctual than this birthday card!
- It’s so hard to believe that you’re getting older … which is why I’m late in wishing you a happy birthday.
- Let me be the last to wish you a very happy birthday!
- You shouldn’t burn the candle at both ends at work, but you can definitely burn the birthday candles before and after your birthday. Happy belated birthday!
- New research shows that belated birthday cards contain 90% more goodwill than timely ones. Lucky you!
- I know it’s a crime to forget your birthday, but I’m hiring the best lawyer I know to defend me: you!
- I totally spaced out and forgot your birthday. Thank you for being my most down-to-earth co-worker.
- I’m so sorry I missed your birthday—I was distracted by how amazing you are.
- You work harder than anyone else I know, so I know you’ll understand how I got too busy and forgot your birthday. Happy belated!
- When you get to my age, you’ll realize how difficult it is to remember things. Sorry I missed your birthday!
- I know you already celebrated your birthday, but consider this the corporate edition. Happy belated birthday!
- They say time can heal all wounds, which is good news for me—you’ve got a lot of time under your belt! Happy late birthday!
- I forgot your birthday. You know what that means: Break-room snacks are on me for a month!
- To make up for missing your birthday, I’m returning this pen you loaned me eight months ago. Belated happy birthday to my kindest co-worker!
- Happy late birthday! Your birthday may have passed by, but the joy you bring to my workday remains.
- Apologies for missing your birthday. You got older, but I got more forgetful!
- Sorry for forgetting your birthday. On the bright side, belated birthday wishes mean belated birthday drinks as well!
- Sorry these birthday wishes are so late—it took me this long to find you the perfect gift.
In the workplace, “feel better” cards come around almost as often as birthday cards. These thoughtful get-well wishes will make sure you always know what to write.
How to write belated birthday wishes
Sending late “happy birthday” greetings might feel a little awkward—after all, you’re basically admitting you forgot. But writing perfect belated birthday wishes doesn’t have to be tricky. According to Browne and established etiquette rules, there are three things you should do in a “happy belated birthday” note:
- Own your mistake. “Give an acknowledgement that you forgot and a brief apology. No need to go overboard, though,” Browne says.
- Share your love and/or care for them.
- Include a heartfelt “happy birthday” wish.
Write from the heart and keep the note focused on them, not on you and how bad you feel, Browne says. That said, it never hurts to include some gentle humor. Poking fun at yourself can lessen any tension.
The best ways to send belated birthday wishes
“The top rule when sending late happy birthday greetings is to send it as soon as you remember,” Browne says. The temptation may be to procrastinate even longer—after all, it’s already late—but don’t.
The method you use to send it, whether that is text, email, video or a handwritten card, should depend on what you know the birthday person would like best. Consider including a birthday gift or treat as another token of your affection. For maximum sincerity and care, follow it up with a phone call or in-person visit to apologize and tell them (or sing!) happy birthday.
About the expert
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on belated birthday wishes, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Kelly Browne, etiquette expert and author of 101 Ways to Say Thank You and 101 Ways to Create Mindful Forgiveness; email interview, Aug. 1, 2024
Originally Published: December 07, 2022
