How to Sign a Birthday Card Without Saying Love

It’s normal to have a little bit of anxiety when signing a birthday card. You get to the bottom and the pressure sets in. How well do I know this person? Will they misinterpret my intentions? Is this too personal? Is it too boring and formal? 

Most commonly, people sign cards by saying love, but that doesn’t feel right in every situation. While you’d always tell Grandma that you love her in her birthday e card, you’d never tell the CEO of your company (well, you never know). The context always matters. 

Whether you’re sending a physical card or an online birthday card, finding the right words to end your birthday message can be a head-scratcher. Fear not! If you’re wondering how to sign a birthday card without saying “love,” we’ve got you covered.

Situations Where You Wouldn’t Want to Sign “Love”

Is it appropriate to sign “love” on every birthday card? Not necessarily. Just like in person, you want to consider your relationship with the recipient and the context of the card.

For example, if you’re sending a birthday card to your dentist, “love” might not be the right choice (unless you’re really passionate about oral hygiene). Similarly, for someone in your professional network, such as sending a card from the office to a business partner or ending a Linkedin message, a different ending would be more suitable.

If you know it’s probably not the right time to say love, trust your instinct. It’s usually better to error more on the formal side than to complicate a relationship.

Some common times to avoid saying love on a birthday card are:

• Colleagues and coworkers
• Professional clients
• Acquaintances
• New friends
• Distant relations
• Generic greetings

Ways to Sign a Birthday Card without Saying Love

At Kudoboard, we make it easy and default every contributor’s signature to “from” (although you get even better personalization options). But, if you’re looking to get the creative juices flowing, here are some alternative options instead of saying “love” on a birthday card:

Formal birthday options

• Warm regards – is a professional and respectful sign-off that works well for coworkers and acquaintances.
• Best birthday wishes – references the occasion in a classic and versatile way to end a message.
• Warm wishes – offers a heartfelt and friendly tone that signals birthday wishes. More sincere than “best.”
• Best regards – provides a professional and respectful sign-off. Very formal.
• With gratitude – expresses thankfulness and appreciation, ideal for showing gratitude to someone for their friendship or kindness.
• Kind regards – is a professional and not totally birthday-specific sign off. Slightly more positive.
• Continued Success – offers warm wishes and references the professional relationship.
• To your success – provides an upbeat, forward-looking feeling at the end of the birthday card.

Short birthday signatures

• Fondly – gives a friendly yet short close to the card.
• Cheers – references beverages and positive messages , like a toast.
• Yours – offers a simple, clean, and dedicated finish.
• Best – borders on formal, but is mostly simple and plain.

• Hugs – is a warm and positive way to end.
• Joyfully – concludes in an upbeat and fun way
• Enjoy – offers your best wishes, especially if you’re missing the birthday party
• Warmly – still positive, but slightly professional and mature.

General birthday signatures

• Yours sincerely – is a very standard and slightly formal way to end any card, not just for a birthday. 
• Yours always – suggests dedication and devotion.
• Thinking of you – is fairly typical but shows care. A great message if you’re unable to celebrate in person.
• To a special day – calls out the birthday celebration, yet keeps emotion light.
• Take care – creates feelings of concern and friendliness.
• In good company – provides a warm and collective air to the end of a birthday card.
• In good spirits – works to close with a positive, slightly celebratory nature.

Whimsical birthday signatures

• Peace and blessings – shows your appreciation in a way that wishes happiness.
• Dearest wishes – borders on formal but offers a genuine sincerity.
• Wishing you joy – feels very pleasant and refreshing.
• Many happy returns – suggests the start of a new journey and return.
• To good health and happiness – offers both support and affection.
• May your day be bright and beautiful – is a strong and very visual way to end a birthday card.

Fun birthday options 

• Party on – is a fun and positive way to close a birthday card. Wayne’s World reference, anyone?
• Pop, fizz, clink! – shows that you hope the birthday boy or girl opens a little celebratory drink on their special day.
• Hip Hip Hooray – offers celebrations and joy in a big and personable way. 
• Time to party! – creates a big bang that tells them to make the most of their day.
• Eat cake! – is an informal way that encourages them to eat their fill of birthday cake. 
• Blow out the candles – provides a birthday wish that makes them feel like you’re there.
• Cue the confetti – is a fun and visual way to end the birthday card.
• Sending you smiles – provides a visual example almost as good as your presence.
• Hugs and happiness – gives off a warm and bubbly personality.
• Stay fabulous – is a funny, tongue-in-cheek ending to any funny birthday message.
• Your cheerleader – offers a supportive and unique ending to any card.

Friendly birthday options 

• To many more! – wishes the card recipient a happy day and many more years.
• Happiest wishes – offers positive vibes and promises for the future.
• Have a wonderful birthday – is a little less fun, but still recognizes that the day is special
• You go! – bring energy and momentum to your birthday card message
• Celebrating you – is a good way to put the spotlight back on the recipient
• To your happiness – states exactly the positivity that you want to bring to your close friend’s life
• Celebrate well – hopes they have a memorable special day and evening
• Your friend – Calls out your relationship and states how you feel

Informal birthday signatures

• Have a great one – is a very casual way to sign off a card. Almost too informal for a birthday use. 
• Catch you later – offers a simple way to end your birthday wishes, especially if you see the card recipient frequently. 
• Smiles – provides a visual for the feelings you want to convey.
• Later gator – is a classic school yard sign off that screams fun. Bonus points if you respond later with “in a while, crocodile.”
• Your buddy – offers a way to recognize your friendly relationship in the card.
• Your pal – provides a simple closing that shows you care about the relationship
• Hugs and high fives – calls out the exact actions you’d do if you were there to celebrate the birthday in person.
• Enjoy – is simple, easy, and effective as a closer.
• To good times – reminisces about past memories and ones to be made in the future. Perfect if you have a long history to recall.
• Peace and cake – Gives off a slightly fun and fresh vibe that could match the recipient’s easy-going energy.
• Here’s to you – is similar to cheers, but more of a toast

Appropriate Times to Sign a Birthday Card with Love

Of course, there are also situations where signing a birthday card with “love” is entirely appropriate. For close friends and family members, signing off with “love” feels natural and affectionate. 

For example, when sending a card to your spouse, partner, or significant other, “love” is a warm and fitting way to express your feelings. If you’re sending a birthday card to a very long-term friend, “love” can show your deep appreciation for their impact on your life.

Using “love” is a sincere and loving end to your birthday message, especially if it’s relations or people you consider to be family. But, when signing, always think about how the other person views your relationship.

Casual Ways to Sign a Birthday Card with “Love”

For less formal relationships, “love” doesn’t always have to feel overly sentimental. Depending on your relationship with the birthday boy or girl, it can feel silly, humorous, or simply offhand.

Many people use expressions like “sending you love” or “much love” to show fondness and care without being overly formal. Other phrases like “lots of love” or “with love and laughter” also capture the spirit of camaraderie and good wishes in a more casual way.

In playful contexts, using “love” as a sign-off can add a lighthearted and friendly touch. It’s a way to show that you care and are thinking fondly of the recipient without being overly formal.

Other types of cards that you might want to sign “Love”

There are many occasions when signing a card with “love” is entirely appropriate and appreciated. Because of their significance, signing off with “love” during these occasions demonstrates an extra level of care and consideration for the recipient.

Typically, these are events with heightened emotion and feelings in the context that might make it more appropriate to sign love if the relationship is more friendly. Some common occasions for signing love are:

• Milestone birthday, such as 50th or 60th celebrations
• Anniversary
• Valentine’s Day
• Holiday greeting
• Baby shower
• Bridal shower
• Happy New Year card

Be sure to still consider your relationship with the recipient when signing cards with “love” for any of these occasions.

Signing your birthday card, physically or digitally

Signing a birthday card should always feel genuine and reflective of your relationship with the recipient. It’s about finding the perfect words to convey your warm wishes and heartfelt sentiments. Whether you go for the classic “best wishes” or choose to sprinkle in some extra love, the most important thing is to share your kind thoughts and celebrate the special day with the perfect card—either paper or digital.

If your signature is going in an online birthday card, we make it easy and only offer the option “from” for all contributors. Instead, the personality comes from the message you leave and the gifs, photos, or videos you add to your post. Using our media libraries or your own creative skills, you can customize the post to appeal directly to the recipient’s interests.