No matter your age or hers, one of the very best ways to make grandma feel loved is to write her a personalized birthday note.

It's difficult to write a catch-all birthday message that's still meaningful, so we'll begin with some general tips on writing a thoughtful birthday card for your grandmother. Then stick around after the tips to grab some example messages that you can borrow, tweak, or even steal.

Here we go!

Top Tips for Writing a Birthday Card for Grandma

It may sound trite, but the older we get, the more we appreciate people over possessions. By taking the time to write a thoughtful birthday message to your grandmother, you'll really make her 70th, 80th, or 90th birthday one to remember. Even more than a physical gift, your words can bring true birthday joy!

Use the tips below to start brainstorming the perfect birthday wish for your granny.

1. Say happy birthday.

This one's probably a big "no duh," but it's a good starting point! Be sure to open or close your card—or maybe even both—by wishing your grandmother a big ole happy birthday. Try phrases like these:

Happy birthday, grandma!

It's always a great day for a birthday celebration, and no grandma deserves it more than you!

Age is just a number…but it's still worth celebrating! Happy 85th birthday to my favorite grandmother.

Best wishes for your birthday, granny!

Let's celebrate YOU on your big day—happy 70th birthday!

Not many people get to celebrate their 90th , and I'm so grateful to be a part of yours! Happy birthday, grandma!

2. Consider what's going on in her life.

To make sure you get the tone right for your granny's birthday card, it's important to think about where she is in her life right now.

Is she retired in an active adult community and living her best life ever? Is she dealing with a difficult chronic illness? Has she recently moved into a skilled nursing or elder care facility? Has her spouse or another close loved one just passed away?

Think about what's happened recently and try to match your card to that feeling and event. For instance, you might:

• Add a religious quote or hopeful faith-based message if she's going through an illness (and if she's religious herself).
• Include some jokes or funny memories if she needs a little pick-me-up in a challenging time of transition and uncertainty.
• Ask about her future plans if she's retired and actively traveling to visit family or check things off her bucket list.
• Reference our tips on writing a sympathy card if she's grieving the loss of her spouse, friend, or another loved one.

3. Add in a memory, story, or other personal detail.

What sets apart a generic birthday message from one that's more memorable? Most often, it's the inclusion of little details that could only apply to the recipient. For instance, compare these two similar messages:

Happy birthday, granny! I hope it's one to remember. Love you!

Happy birthday, granny! I hope it's one to remember—but maybe not quite as memorable as the year your birthday cake candles almost caught your kitchen on fire. Let's stick to safer memories this year. ;) Love you!

Even a tiny throwaway detail like this can make your card feel so much more personal. It'll give your grandma a fun (or maybe hilariously un-fun) memory to think back on, and it'll be clear that you really gave your grandma's birthday card some thought.

Tip : It can take some time to come up with these little details to include, but it's so worth it! Set aside 15 minutes to brainstorm and maybe even browse through old photos to spark your memory. You could also talk to your parents or other family members for interesting or funny ideas.

4. Update her on your life.

If your grandmother lives far away or if your day-to-day schedule is so busy that you rarely get to see her, a birthday card can be a great way to fill her in on your life. Just make sure that you put the birthday wishes front and center, so the card is clearly a birthday card first and a life update second.

Tip : Lots of grandparents are uncomfortable with modern technology, so if your granny doesn't use a smart phone, consider printing out some photos to send in your card. She'll love seeing what you're up to—especially if it doesn't involve having to figure out this new-fangled "smart phone" stuff.

5. Open a dialogue.

Even better than updating grandma on your life… Why not start an actual conversation with her?

Normal birthday cards can feel one-sided, since you're writing a message now and your grandma's reading it later. There's no real back-and-forth communication going on. But you could change that by changing your birthday card message!

Depending on what your grandmother likes, you can use the birthday card as the beginning of a real dialogue. Maybe you:

• Ask your grandmother to write you back, starting a birthday pen pal tradition. (Be sure to provide your current mailing address!)
• Propose moving the conversation to email, if your grandmother is comfortable typing emails. (Better yet, you start the conversation by sending her an email, in addition to her physical birthday card.)
• Propose a time for a weekly or monthly phone call or maybe even a video chat.

Remembering your grandma on her birthday is important, but continuing the relationship outside of the birthday can make her feel really special and genuinely loved.

6. Tell her what she's taught you.

Grandparents love seeing the younger generations grow up, so it can be especially meaningful to point out how your grandmother has positively influenced your life. For instance, maybe your grandmother has:

• Created the most crowd-pleasing cookie recipe EVER, which is now your go-to for parties and get-togethers
• Taught you an important personal value like compassion, perseverance, faith, or resilience
• Passed down one of her amazing skills such as writing, cooking, baking, listening, or craft making
• Always been there for you when you need advice from an older, wiser woman

The thing that you point out can be something big or something small—it really doesn't matter what it is! By calling attention to any kind of specific lesson or value that you're grateful for, you'll show her just how much of an impact she's had on your life.

Sample Birthday Messages for a Grandmother

To get an idea of how these tips all come together, check out our sample birthday messages below! Start with some of these phrases and add in your own stories and details based on the tips above. In no time, you'll have the perfect birthday wish for your one-of-a-kind grandmother.

Grandma, happy birthday! I'm so lucky to have a kind, caring, and hilarious woman in my life like you. As I finish up my college years, I'm so grateful that you taught me how to stand up for myself and how to "take nothing from nobody"! I love you so much. Let's catch up by phone next week.

Happy, happy birthday to the world's best grandma! May your upcoming year bring health, happiness, and a whole lot of fun. I hope you know how much I love you!

No one ages as gracefully as you, grandma! Happy birthday to the youngest 70-year-old I know. Can't wait to see you—let's have a video chat soon.

Happy birthday, granny! I hope your 85th birthday is as special as you are. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to come home in a while, but I would love to catch up over the phone or maybe even video chat. I have some exciting news to share, and I want to hear all about your trip to see your sister. Love you!

Happy birthday to a very special woman! I'm so thankful that you taught me how to be gracious and resilient—and how to make those killer brownies. Take the day to celebrate you!

Grandma, I know you're going through a difficult time with your illness, but I hope you can celebrate just a little today. We love you so much and are so grateful to have you at the head of the family. I'm sending a little care package in the mail, so keep an eye out. Happy birthday!

You're turning 80 already?! For every year that passes, I am that much more thankful for you. Happy birthday! I hope you enjoy this small gift and treat yourself to a special day.

No one has a better grandma than me, and I hope you know it! Happy birthday to a woman who always sets an example for the rest of us.

Grandma, you bring light to everyone you meet, and I hope that this card brings a little sunshine to you! Happy birthday! I'm looking forward to our visit next month and want to hear all about your new home and new life.

Age is just a number…but it's still something to celebrate! Congratulations on surviving another year on this crazy planet and in this even-crazier group that we call family. I'm so happy to have you in my life. Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to the best granny around! I love when your birthday comes around because it's a good excuse to pamper you. (And you can't say no!) I hope you can take the day off and celebrate YOU. Love you!

The older we get, the more we know what matters most. It's YOUR birthday, but the present is all mine! I'm so glad to have a strong, caring, and fun-loving woman in my life. Your example has taught me so much, and I hope you know how much we love you. Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to my favorite grandmother! Every year on your birthday, I look back on all of the incredible memories I have of growing up and coming to visit you. It was always the best part of my summer. I hope you are having a wonderful year and can celebrate your birthday in style. Can't wait to catch up! Love you, granny.

Feeling a little more inspired to write your own birthday wishes for your grandma? We hope so!

Before the creative juices run dry, grab your grandma's birthday card and start jotting down your ideas. If you don't already have a card picked out, then start by checking out Foxdog's online birthday cards! You can choose your favorite design, write out your thoughtful birthday note, and we'll mail your grandma's birthday card right to her door.

Browse our birthday cards now.