Occasion HandbookBirthdays 7 examples

Birthday Wishes for a Cousin

Cousins sit between sibling and friend, which means you can be affectionate without being sentimental.

Warm

  1. 1 Happy birthday. Family by accident, friends on purpose.
    Tone WarmLength Very short
  2. 2 Happy birthday to the only relative I would choose to spend a weekend with.
    Tone WarmLength Short
  3. 3 Happy birthday. Christmas is significantly better with you there.
    Tone WarmLength Short

Funny

  1. 4 Happy birthday. Still telling everyone we are the normal ones.
    Tone PlainLength Short
  2. 5 Happy birthday. I will not tell them what happened in 2011.
    Tone WarmLength Very short

If you rarely see each other

  1. 6 Happy birthday! Long overdue a catch-up.
    Tone PlainLength Very short
  2. 7 Happy birthday. We should fix the fact that we only see each other at funerals.
    Tone WarmLength Short

Questions people actually ask

What do you write in a birthday card for a cousin?

"Family by accident, friends on purpose" covers the relationship. Cousins sit between sibling and friend, so affectionate without sentimental is the right register.