45+ Belated Birthday Messages for Every Occassion

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Make up for a missed birthday with the perfect note
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If you’ve recently missed a close friend, family member, or co-worker’s birthday, you’ve come to the right place to get inspiration for the perfect belated birthday message. We’ve come up with an entire list of messages you can send, ranging from heartfelt to hilarious. Plus, we'll share everything you need to know about how to personalize and perfect your belated birthday wishes.

Section 1 of 7:

Belated Birthday Wishes for Friends

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    Forget to chat with your friend on their big day? No worries at all—there are plenty of ways to let your pal know that they're in your thoughts, like:
    • "Hey bestie! Sorry we weren’t able to celebrate your birthday together, but don’t think for a second that I forgot about your special day! While this message may be coming a little late, I want to wish you the happiest belated birthday!" [1]
    • "Happy belated birthday! Even though I’m a few days late, I love you so much and am wishing nothing but the best for you during this next year. You’re truly the most amazing friend anyone could ever ask for."
    • "I’m so sorry for missing your birthday this year 😭 But that just means my gift to you will be even better 😉 Happy belated birthday to my best friend!"
    • "The happiness I’m wishing for you is good for the entire year, so technically I’m off the hook for sending this message later, right? Happy belated birthday to my most forgiving friend!"
    • "I’m just keeping the party going by sending your birthday message now. After all, you deserve to hear how special, wonderful, and amazing you are every single day. Happy belated birthday!"
    • "Happy birthday to the smartest, funniest, sweetest, most gorgeous, and warmest friend in the entire world ❤️🥰 Wasn’t that a message totally worth waiting for? Love you!"
    • "We’ve been friends for years, so you should know by now that punctuality isn’t one of my strengths. Thank goodness I’m such an excellent gift-giver! Happy belated birthday to you!"
    • "You know what they say—save the best for last! Happy belated birthday to my super amazing, talented, and wonderful friend. Even though this message is coming a day or two late, that doesn’t take away from how much I love and cherish our friendship."
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Section 2 of 7:

Belated Birthday Wishes for Family

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    Be it a parent, cousin, grandparent, or someone else entirely, it's never too late to send them a quick message to show them you care, such as:
    • "Happy belated birthday, Mom! Sorry this message is coming a bit late—it got slowed down due to the weight of all the love and good wishes I put in here. Love you lots!"
    • "Dad, I know this card is coming a bit late, but like you always told me, good things come to those who wait! Happy belated birthday! I love you so much and can’t wait to celebrate (again) with you soon!"
    • "Wishing my favorite aunt a belated but no less wonderful birthday! I hope your special day was a happy one and that you got to spend time with the people you love most. I hope we can see each other soon so we can celebrate properly!"
    • "I’m running a bit fashionably late to the birthday party, but that doesn’t mean I can’t wish you the best of birthdays! May this year be filled with laughter, love, and happiness. I love you so much and wish you nothing but the best!"
    • "Better late than never, right? Happy belated birthday to the person whose smile lights up the room and whose heart carries so much love (and forgiveness hopefully haha 😄). I love you and hope your day was exceptionally special!"
    • "Happy belated birthday, sis! I know you received tons of birthday wishes yesterday, so I thought I’d make today extra special and send my card a bit late. You’re welcome!"
    • "Belated birthday wishes to the best grandpa in the world. You’ve always inspired me to do my best and never give up when things get tough. I’m sorry this is coming a bit late, but just know that I love you so much!"
    • "I’m sorry for missing your special day. Nevertheless, I hope you were able to spend your birthday with the people you love and that all of your wishes came true! Sending you lots of love and wishes for a spectacular year ahead!"
Section 3 of 7:

Belated Birthday Wishes for a Romantic Partner

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    Did you forget to message your beau on their birthday? Don't sweat it—there are plenty of ways to check in with your partner and make them feel special after the fact.
    • "Happy belated birthday to my favorite person in the world. Even though this message is getting to you a few days late, know that I’m always thinking of you and love you more than words can describe."
    • "Happy belated birthday to the love of my life. This card is coming to you late because I just couldn’t come up with the right words to tell you how much I love and adore you. You’re one of a kind and one of the best things to ever happen to me. I love you so much!"
    • "Oh no! I forgot to wish you a happy birthday on your special day. I guess I’ll just have to make up for it by giving you lots of kisses and cuddles and pampering you like you deserve 💋😘 Happy belated birthday!"
    • "Your birthday may have already passed, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go all out and celebrate it again. After all, the best person in the world deserves to be celebrated every single day of the year. Love you so much, and happy belated birthday!"
    • "Happy belated birthday to the best boyfriend! 🎉🥳 This birthday message isn’t late! I just wanted to keep you on your toes and really surprise you this year."
    • "Happy belated birthday to the most wonderful and amazing girlfriend anyone could ever hope to have in their life. Even though I’m a bit late, never forget how much I love you. I just know that so many great things are coming your way this year!"
    • "There shouldn’t be a single day that goes by where I don’t celebrate how wonderful you are—hence this belated birthday card! If I could, I’d send you a birthday card every single day just so you know how great of a person you are."
    • "Happy belated birthday to my partner in crime who I wouldn’t trade for anyone else in the world. Sure, I’m a bit late, but it’s not like the love we share has a time limit anyway. Wishing you nothing but the best for this coming year!"
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Section 4 of 7:

Belated Birthday Wishes for Co-Workers

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    If you don’t know the other person that well, it’s completely okay to keep your message on the shorter side. There are plenty of ways to highlight their special day, like:
    • "Happy belated birthday! I apologize that this is showing up on your desk a few days late, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to wish you the best for this next year!"
    • "Happy belated birthday to the best boss! You’re such an inspiration to all of us and a truly amazing leader. Even though this message is late, I just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how much we all appreciate you! Hope you had a great birthday!"
    • "I’m a bit late, but I hope your birthday was full of fun, laughter, and smiles. Wishing you nothing but the best! 🎉🎂🎊"
    • "Happy belated birthday to my work bestie! I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you to joke around with every day. Hopefully, we can celebrate properly together sometime soon!"
    • "Happy belated birthday to one of the most hard-working and talented people I know. Sorry this card is coming to you late, but I hope you had a really great birthday!"
    • "Even though it’s not technically your special day, you deserve to hear how amazing and wonderful of a person you are. I’m super lucky to have such a remarkable co-worker like you."
    • "Belated birthday wishes for the colleague who’s always ready for anything. May your coming year be filled with luck and happiness, and your mug with coffee at all times!"
    • "Sorry this birthday message is coming to you late! I must’ve misread my Google calendar 😂 Hope your birthday was a happy one!"
Section 5 of 7:

Funny Belated Birthday Wishes

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    A joke or funny message is a great way to focus on the positives. Even though your card or message may be coming late, it’s a nice surprise for the other person (though they're best saved for people you know well, like a friend, partner, or loved one). Here are ideas to get you started:
    • "The bad news is that I forgot it was your birthday. But the good news is that I also forgot your age. Happy belated birthday!"
    • "Wishing you a happy birthday on your actual birthday is so last year. I’m just starting a new trend by being fashionably late. Sending you all the best on your (belated) birthday!"
    • "I didn’t forget your birthday. I just wanted to make sure you saved some of your birthday wishes for other days. You’re welcome! 😘"
    • "Don’t think of this as a belated birthday card. Instead, think of it as me being the very first one to wish you a happy birthday for next year! Happy birthday!"
    • "This birthday card isn’t late. I think it’s old age making you a bit confused!"
    • "Happy belated birthday. Consider yourself off the hook if you happen to forget my birthday next year 😉"
    • "You know what they say—birthday wishes are like a fine wine. They get better the longer they age 🍷"
    • "Did you think I forgot your special day? I would never do that to you! This card is coming late because my dog ate the first one. Happy belated birthday!"
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Section 6 of 7:

Thoughtful Belated Birthday Wishes

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    Apologizing and acknowledging your lateness can your message sound more sincere and honest. However, avoid writing out a long explanation for why your message is coming in late. Usually just a short “I’m sorry” will do. Try one of these messages:
    • "These birthday wishes may be late, but that doesn’t mean I love you any less. You’re such an amazing and kind person. You’ve truly blessed my life and changed it for the better, and I can’t imagine a single day without you by my side. I love you, and happy belated birthday." [2]
    • "Happy belated birthday! Even though I’m late, I would never miss the opportunity to express how grateful I am to know such an amazing person like you. I’m sorry these words couldn’t reach you on your actual birthday but know that I was thinking of you and sending you lots of love."
    • "You deserve all of the happiness and good things in the world, regardless of whether it’s your birthday or not. Even though it’s not your birthday today, don’t let that hold you back from having a lovely day filled with smiles and laughter. Happy belated birthday! ❤️❤️"
    • "Thank you for being so understanding even though I couldn’t wish you a happy birthday on your special day. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and amazing friend. Here’s to another year of wishes coming true and happiness and laughter every single day."
    • "I may have forgotten your birthday, but I could never forget someone as spectacular as you. You light up my life and make every day an adventure. I’ll always be thankful that you came into my life."
    • "I’m so sorry that I missed your birthday. But that doesn’t mean I love you any less. If anything, this gave me even more time to think about just how much you mean to me and how wonderful my life has become ever since you came into it. Happy belated birthday to a truly amazing person!"
    • "You deserve the biggest celebration for all the joy and happiness you bring into everyone’s lives. Sorry I wasn’t there to celebrate with you on your special day, but having a friend like you makes every single day special for me. Happy belated birthday!"
    • "Even though it’s technically not your birthday anymore, I want to thank you for all of the wonderful, funny, and sweet memories we’ve made together. You’re truly one of a kind, and I’m so blessed to have you by my side. Happy belated birthday!"
Section 7 of 7:

Crafting the Perfect Belated Birthday Message

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    There are countless ways you can send a belated birthday message. Depending on your relationship with the other person, pick the method that fits your relationship best. For example, you might want to call a close family member to wish them a happy belated birthday. On the other hand, giving a card to a co-worker you don’t know as well is totally acceptable. [3]
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    If you think someone’s feelings might be hurt because you’re late in wishing them a happy birthday, make sure your true feelings shine through and that you include some sort of apology for the tardiness. Depending on your relationship with the other person, you can make this a bit funny or stick to a heartfelt message. For example:
    • “Sorry this card is getting to you so late. But, hey, now you don’t have to wait another whole year to receive more birthday wishes.”
    • “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to wish you a happy birthday on your actual birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day and can forgive me for my lateness!”
    • While it’s good to include an apology, don’t feel like you need to include a long explanation about why your birthday wishes are coming in late. Chances are the other person will understand that things happen, and sometimes we forget even the most important dates.
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    If you’re feeling a bit bad about being late, it never hurts to get a gift that you know the other person will appreciate. Think about what kinds of things the other person is interested in and buy them a gift that you think they’ll find useful. Or, gift them an experience if they’re more into that, like a trip to a city they’ve never been to.
    • Whether you buy a gift or not completely depends on your relationship with the other person.
    • For example, you might want to get your best friend a really nice gift to accompany your belated birthday message. On the other hand, it’s okay to just get a card for a co-worker you don’t know that well.
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      Tips

      • While many people use the phrase, “Happy belated birthday,” saying, “Belated happy birthday” is the grammatically correct phrase. However, it’s completely acceptable to use them interchangeably, and the person receiving your message will likely know what you mean.
        Thanks
      • When wishing a family member a happy belated birthday, it might be good to also call them or tell them in person along with writing a note.
        Thanks
      • If the person receiving your birthday wishes is especially important to you, it might be nice to celebrate their birthday a second time. Prepare a cake, buy them a nice gift, or take them out for dinner or to do a fun activity.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://wishes.moonzori.com/happy-birthday-wishes/
      2. ↑ https://inspiredyear.com/belated-birthday/
      3. ↑ https://www.handwrytten.com/resources/what-to-write-in-a-belated-birthday-card/

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