It’s not uncommon to enjoy someone else’s birthday more than your own. Celebrating a friend or family member for a whole day is a joyous occasion, even if they aren’t one for the birthday buzz.
Romping parties, towering tiers of cake and fizzing bottles of champagne are birthday essentials. But none of the aforementioned shows them you care like a carefully chosen birthday card.
Birthday cards can be personalised to suit the recipient. In an age of emails, WhatsApps and Instagram DMs, messages lose their sentimental value. A handwritten card is a tactile way of expressing care and exudes an old-school charm.
Designs range from nostalgic to naughty, decorative to trivial and more. It’s just a case of knowing where to look to find the perfect pick for your loved one.
Different shops stock different genres of birthday cards. For example, Oliver Bonas, Papier and Anthropologie favour gorgeous graphics, painterly florals and wholesome slogans. On the other hand, Scribbler, Thortful and Etsy rarely shy away from a giggle-worthy joke to make them blush.
With many cards available to purchase online (plus next-day delivery for the forgetful among you), you have no excuse not to choose a wildly jovial design to spark joy.
From iconic pop culture references to artisan prints, crude jokes and sentimental sonnets, there are plenty of birthday-ready picks to unearth.
Discover the best places to browse for birthday cards and shop the edit below.
Oliver Bonas
There’s a reason you’ll find an Oliver Bonas at every train station and on every high street. The brand has a magnificent collection of cute cards for all ages. From disco-themed designs to sequinned detailing and florals galore, there’s a print for all ages and genders.
Buy now, Oliver Bonas
Scribbler
One of the most versatile stores on the list, Scribbler is a top-tier pick for those with a humorous touch. Browse the brand’s seemingly endless collection of cards online. You’ll find obscene cheeky texts, adorable animal artworks and pop icon puns to name a few.
Buy now £0.00, Scribbler
Papier
Wholesome, colourpop graphics are Papier’s forte. The distinctive, contemporary style of the brand’s cards makes for a failproof option. Discover underwater worlds inhabited by mystical sea creatures, blooming summer gardens and puppy-peppered prints that will tickle the fancy of Gen Z recipients.
Buy now, Papier
Selfridges
Looking for a luxury card? Selfridges is your best bet. Quirky designs and kaleidoscopic colourways come to life in the British brand’s card collection. Suitable for he, she and they, Selfridges’ playful picks will delight all with a flair for the finer things in life.
Buy now, Selfridges
John Lewis
Cath Tate, Ruth Jackson and Caroline Gardener are just a handful of popular card designers stocked by John Lewis. The store offers a user-friendly experience, offering cards for adults and children in addition to milestone options for big birthdays.
Buy now, John Lewis
Anthropologie
Anthropologie champions cards designed and made in the UK. Gold foil detailing, fine-line animal illustrations and colourful petals regularly feature in the brand’s carefully curated selection. Head in store for more irresistible options to consider with loved ones in mind.
Buy now, Anthropologie
Thortful
Is your pal or partner a fan of Harry Styles? What about Taylor Swift? Maybe say, Louis Theroux? Treat them to a celebrity-themed card and explore Thortful’s sensationally silly collection of cards to buy online. It doesn’t end there, as the brand also stocks naughty notes, pretty prints and affordable artistic cards for all.
Buy now, Thortful
Waterstones
Waterstones cards have saved our bacon on multiple occasions. It’s hard to choose between Japanese watercolours, old-school New Yorker graphics and children’s book characters. Regardless, you’re in for a visual treat - and we tend to leave the store with more than one purchase.
Buy now, Waterstones
Etsy
Support small brands and shop with Etsy. The marketplace has a myriad of card styles and slogans to gander at - cut-out floral constructions, hand-painted Japanese blossom trees, kitsch creatures and classic puns to name a few. Choose your favourite design and add it to your online shopping bag before they are all gone.
Buy now, Etsy
Not On The High Street
Like Etsy, Not On The High Street supports young, independent brands. The swanky online marketplace particularly champions personalised picks, helping shoppers to make their choices as meaningful as possible. With approximately 17,000 cards to scroll through, we can safely say your dream design awaits.
Buy now, Not On The High Street
V&A
Unsurprisingly, the V&A is home to a marvellous myriad of greeting cards. The range is dominated by art prints spanning the works of the Old Masters to Monet, but we have a soft spot for the fashion photography editions. The museum’s Chanel exhibition may have just closed, but you can still pick up a chic card like this one to send to a fellow fashion lover.
Buy now, V&A
Royal Academy
Delve into a vibrant artistic archive of cards. The Royal Academy’s online selection includes notes depicting works by Degas, Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare and many more notable names. Whether opting for a cheeky David Shrigley or a timeless Pissaro landscape, the RA has got your card woes covered.
Buy now, Royal Academy
