Birthday wishes that play
Candles, confetti and a message worth the wish.
A birthday message is nice. A birthday message that arrives on a cake with candles to blow out is better. On Say Wishes you write a few words, pick a cake and share one link, and the person you send it to blows out the candles to read what you wrote.
They do not have to be good at blowing. They can shake their phone or tap the button instead, and either way the candles go out in a puff of smoke, the confetti pops and your message appears. There is no app to install and no account to make.
Make a wish
Birthdays happen every single day for somebody, so these cakes are ready all year round. Pick the one that fits the age and the person, and let them make a wish before they read yours.
Which one should I pick?
- Birthday: For any birthday. Five candles on a two-tier cake in strawberry, blueberry or lemon. A good choice for friends, family and colleagues.
- Milestone Birthday: For a big one. The cake carries their age on a gold badge and the card opens with a headline like “Happy 40th birthday”. Made for 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond.
Ready-made wishes
Not sure what to write? These pages have wishes you can copy or put straight into the tool.
Guides
- What to Write in a Birthday Message for Anyone: How to write a birthday message that feels personal, with a simple three-part formula and ideas for friends, family, partners, colleagues and children.
- What to Write in a Milestone Birthday Message: 18th to 60th: How to write a milestone birthday message that sounds like you: what to say for an 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th, and what to leave out.
How to send one
- Pick a cake: the everyday birthday cake, or the milestone cake if there is a big number involved.
- Add their name, yours and your message. A preset will do, or use the birthday wishes for ideas and make it your own.
- Choose a flavor and press Replay to blow out the candles yourself, exactly as they will.
- Send the link by WhatsApp, text or email. It plays when it is opened, so a wish sent the night before still lands on the day.
Questions people ask
How do I send a birthday wish that plays?
Open the birthday tool, type their name and your message, pick a cake flavor and copy the link. When they open it they blow out the candles and your message appears. It is free and there is no sign-up.
What if they cannot blow out the candles?
They can shake their phone or tap the button instead. Every birthday wish has the button, so nobody gets stuck.
Can I put their age on the cake?
Yes. The milestone birthday cake shows their age on a gold badge and the message opens with a headline such as “Happy 50th birthday”.
What should I write in a birthday message?
Keep it short and specific: one thing you like about them and one wish for the year ahead. The guide what to write in a birthday message has examples for friends, family and colleagues.
Can I send it after the birthday?
Yes. A wish plays whenever it is opened, so a late wish still gets its candles. Say sorry in your message, add a joke about the cake, and send it anyway.
More birthday cards are planned, for kids, partners, belated birthdays and more.