Cheers to your best friend! When their birthday rolls around, it's time to celebrate. Anyone who is lucky enough to have such an impactful person (think: a Gayle to their Oprah or vice versa) in their life knows that this momentous occasion is a time to recognize how important they are to you. Your BFF's birthday is also a reason for you to celebrate, because they're the ones who help us through the biggest hurdles and inspire us to thrive.
Birthdays are a chance to gush over our loved ones and take time to reflect on the value they bring. Whatever your style of sharing that is—attaching a heartfelt card to their gift, adding a hilarious and unique caption to your birthday Instagram post, or looking for a sentimental message to say in person—there's a birthday wish here that will capture your enduring bond.
Some are funny and teasing—in the kind of way that only besties can get away with—whereas others are short and sweet, yet touching enough that they'll be reminded of just how much you care. And if your bestie is marking a milestone birthday, we've got extra special wish ideas just for that—because a new decades deserves an exceptional shout-out!
Read on for our best birthday wishes to ensure your bestie feels the love on their big day.
Meaningful Birthday Messages
If you are looking for a chance to express your love and gratitude to your best friend, a birthday message is the perfect place to do it. Your bestie means the world to you—this is the time to let them know with a meaningful note!
- I hope you know how much you’re loved today, best friend! Happy birthday!
- Every year on your birthday, I get reminded of how much you mean to me as a best friend.
- Birthdays only come once a year, and your friendship only comes once a lifetime.
- My best friend was born today! Where would I be without you?
- Happy birthday to my partner-in-crime and my favorite person!
- There are friends, and then there are best friends. Happy birthday to the best friend I could have asked for!
- I am lucky to have a best friend like you. Happy birthday, my person!
Uplifting Birthday Phrases
Birthdays can be a time for self-reflection, so why not uplift your best friend on their special day? These messages will raise your friend's spirits as they look toward the year ahead.
- You’re making a beautiful life for yourself—enjoy it, especially today.
- Here's my annual reminder that there's no one like you! Wishing you the best birthday!
- Thank you for being the brightest person I know. Hope to see you shine for years to come!
- Happiness is seeing your best friend grow up with you! Happy birthday!
- You’ve grown so much in one year. I’m always so proud of you! Happy birthday.
- Happy birthday to an inspiring person who is a shining example for all of us.
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Funny Birthday Sayings
Cue the LOLs for your birthday message! When sentimental words don't feel like enough to express your love, opt for something funny and witty to make your best friend smile. These ideas are sure to make it happen.
- If you’re getting old, that means I am, too!
- I thought you get finer and wiser with age? Well, there’s always next year. 😂
- Don’t think of it as getting older, think of it as becoming a classic.
- You suck at aging! Can you at least try to look older?
- Happy birthday. It took you [BFF's age] years to look this good!
- Happy birthday to my forever-young friend!
- Happy birthday to this dime in her prime!
- Whoa, time flies when you're having fun! How'd we get so old?
- You're like a fine wine—you get better with age!
Classic Messages for a Birthday Party
If you get to celebrate with the birthday girl or boy in person at a party, your birthday greeting can mention how special it is to celebrate together. After all: There's no better way to make your bestie feel loved than with a fun day or night in their honor!
- Life is more fun with you at my side! Let’s make this birthday memorable!
- Hey, you! It’s your birthday! Cake! Candles! Drinks! Presents! More drinks! Can you tell I’m excited?
- Don’t forget to smile awkwardly as everyone sings you "Happy Birthday" today!
- Birthday calories don’t count, so the next drink is on me! 🍹
- How many birthdays have we spent together now? I guess it’s official—you’re stuck with me.
- We're gonna sip [insert BBF's favorite drink] like it’s yo birthday. 🥳
- I hope you’re treated like the queen you are today, my friend. 👑
- You deserve all the cake, happiness, and love today. Happy birthday and #treatyourself!
- Wishing you 24 hours of joy, though you deserve a lifetime of it.
- Let's party like it's [insert the year your BFF was born]! Happy birthday. 🥳
Thought-Provoking Birthday Messages
Your bestie deserves a thought-provoking–and thoughtful–greeting for their big day. These sweet ideas, including an inspiring quote from Oprah, will do the trick.
- “With each birthday, you get to decide whether to mark it as the end of your greatest days or the beginning of your finest hours.”—Oprah Winfrey
- Don't count the candles, but see the light they give. Don't count your years but the life you live. Happy birthday.
- It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your best friends who are your diamonds!
- You’re older today than yesterday but younger than tomorrow—happy birthday!
- You make each day special just by being yourself. I hope you’re enjoying your special day—may life continue to bring you the best days ahead. 💜
- “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” —John Lennon
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Notes for Celebrating from Afar
If you can't be with your bestie on their birthday, you could still send a sweet note to wish them a happy day. And make sure you do a toast in their honor to celebrate them from afar!
- You're always the life of the party—over Zoom, and all. Happy birthday!
- Distance is nothing to the person who means everything! Happy birthday!
- Wishing I could spend your birthday with you, but know you’re on my mind and in my heart. ♥️
- Sending you nothing but positive vibes on your birthday. ❤️
- Thanks for being my turn up partner, venting partner, and everything in between! Enjoy your day! Happy birthday!
- I'm toasting to you from afar on your birthday!
- Here’s to more life, love, and adventures with you to come!
- I hope your day is surrounded by love. I'm celebrating with you in spirit!
- Next time we get together, we'll have a special birthday toast in your honor.
- I know the distance may feel big, but my love for you is even bigger. Happy birthday!
Messages to Mark a Milestone
A milestone birthday calls for an extra-special message. If your friend is entering a new decade or hitting another major season of life, here's what to write to them.
- A new decade brings exciting new beginnings! Welcome to the next chapter.
- May your new year—and decade—be filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
- Happy birthday! You don't look a day over ___ [insert BBF's previous age]
- For ___ [insert number of decades] decades you have blessed the world with your presence. Happy birthday!
- Happy __ [insert BBF's previous age] + one birthday!
- You're not ___ [insert BBF's new age] . It's the first anniversary of your __ [insert BBF's previous age] birthday.
Age-Specific Greetings
If your loved one is turning a specific age–like 21, 30, 50, or beyond–your message can be personalized to mark the occasion. Allow these ideas to get you started.
- Welcome to adulthood! Happy 18th.
- Happy 18th birthday! If you don’t feel like an adult yet...you're in the same boat as the rest of us!
- Happy 21st birthday! Old enough to know better, but young enough to get way with it.
- Your 21st birthday is all the fun of turning 18...but now with drinks! Cheers to your milestone!
- Happy 30th! Now you are 30, flirty, and thriving.
- Your 30th birthday means you are now 18...with 12 years of experience. Happy birthday!
- Like a fine wine, you just keep getting better with age. Happy 40th birthday!
- 40 years of wisdom, laughter, and love. Happy birthday!
- 50 and fabulous! Happy birthday.
- Wishing you the finest celebration for your 50th.
- 60 is the age of freedom. Happy celebrating!
- You're not old. You're just a classic! Happy 60th.
- 70 is new 50. Happy birthday!
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Birthday Toasts
Sometimes the best way to celebrate is with a toast for your loved one. Put the Champagne on ice and get ready to pay tribute to your bestie with a cheers!
- Thank you for living your life in a way that makes every day worth celebrating. Happiest of birthdays!
- Cheers to the nights that turned into mornings and the friend that turned into family. Happy birthday!
- You’re like a sister to me. Cheers to many more birthdays glowing together.
- Life is about the journey, not the destination. Cheers to your adventures ahead!
- Your year ahead is full of promise and potential. May you make it the best one yet. Happy birthday!
- Happy birthday! Wishing you many more years of good health and prosperity.
Shelby Copeland
Associate Editor
Shelby Copeland is an associate editor and the assistant to O's editor-at-large, Gayle King. When she's not in assistant mode or writing for Oprah Daily, she loves spending her time listening to music and podcasts, reading, re-watching old sitcoms, and eating Cinnabons at brunch.
