What to say in a birthday video message

The three sentence formula

Almost every birthday message that lands well does three things: it names the person, it points at a real moment you share, and it makes a wish for the year ahead. Name, moment, wish. That is the whole skeleton.

• Name: say who you are talking to and what they mean to you.
• Moment: one specific memory, joke or habit. Specific beats impressive.
• Wish: look forward. Health, adventures, naps, whatever fits.

What to say to a kid

Kids love being seen at the age they actually are. Pick the thing they have been obsessed with this year and make it the star of the message.

Happy birthday, Leo! Six looks good on you. This year you taught everyone at dinner how to say dinosaur in three languages, and I am still laughing about it. I hope seven brings more dinosaurs, more cake and fewer green vegetables.

What to say to a parent

Parents rarely hear the big stuff out loud. A birthday message is a safe place to say it, because you can take your time and get it right.

Mom, happy birthday. I know I do not say it enough, but thank you for being the person I still call first. You have always made our ordinary days feel like celebrations. This year, I hope it is your turn to be celebrated.

What to say to a grandparent

For grandparents, your voice itself is the gift. Keep it simple, keep it grateful, and let the stories do the work.

Grandpa, happy birthday. My favorite part of every summer was sitting with you while you told the same three stories, and I would give anything to hear them all again. You are the reason our family laughs the way it does. We love you.

What to say to a friend

Friend messages can be funny on the outside and grateful on the inside. Lead with the joke, land on the thank you.

Happy birthday to the friend who never lets me look silly alone. This year I hope life gives you what you keep giving everyone else: patience, laughter and a very large slice of cake.

Short birthday wishes you can borrow

If you need happy birthday wishes in a hurry, start from one of these short birthday message ideas and swap in your own detail.

• Happy birthday! I hope this year brings you everything you keep giving everyone else.
• Wishing you a birthday as warm as the people lucky enough to know you.
• Another year of you being everyone's favorite person. Happy birthday.
• Happy birthday! May your cake be huge and your year even bigger.

Mistakes to skip

• Do not write a speech. One minute of talking is plenty.
• Do not use a quote you found online. Your own words always win.
• Do not list everything you love about them. Pick one true thing.
• Do not record at full volume in a noisy room. Find a quiet corner.

Turn your message into a cartoon video

When the words are ready, Celebrisa turns them into something they will replay. Pick an occasion and a title, add who it is for, then write or shape the story. Upload a few photos and the people in them become cartoon characters in an animated story with narration. You watch the full preview before paying anything: your first video preview is free, and unlocking the full video, with the watermark removed and a private gift page to share, costs $6.99 or one Celebration Pass.