What's a clever way to say "Happy Birthday"?
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Table of Contents
- Overview
- Why bother?
- How to go about it
- How do I work out what they're like?
- What sort of thing should I send?
- Any ideas?
Overview
If you want to say happy birthday in a clever way, the best approach is to come up with something that is personal and unique for the recipient. If you do this, it shows that you have put some thought into it and it makes them feel special. The classic mistake is to just send a generic message like "happy birthday", which the recipient will have heard hundreds of times before.
Why bother?
I'm sure you've experienced this yourself: it's your birthday and fifty people on Facebook send you a generic message, and then someone says something different. Which do you remember? Which makes you feel good? The special one of course! It's an easy win; for the giver and receiver!
How to go about it
The only real 'rule' is to make it relevant for the recipient, so that means thinking about what they like, what their sense of humour is like and what they are interested in. Once you've worked that out, just imagine what that person would say to themselves if they were giving themselves a gift. Once you've done this you'll have a much better idea of what sort of thing to give them.
How do I work out what they're like?
This might sound silly, but it's actually quite hard, especially when most people are so concerned with trying not to offend anyone or embarrass themselves. Most people's true personalities are hidden under layers of conformity so they're not obvious. The trick is to look for clues; usually in their body language or facial expressions. People who like silly or outrageous things will usually be the ones who snigger at inappropriate things at work or school, while everyone else tries to look disgusted (while secretly giggling inside).
What sort of thing should I send?
Once you've worked out what sort of person they are it's much easier. If they're pretty boring then just buy them something generic from Amazon and don't bother reading this article!
But if they're a normal fun-loving person with a sense of humour then it's most likely you're looking for something silly or funny. This can mean anything from 'cute' stuff about farting through to something genuinely offensive and nasty.
If you're really not sure then maybe play it safe and get them something that's only slightly risky - they'll either think it's too boring or too offensive which means you'll know which direction to go next time!
Any ideas?
Yes! Well actually no because I've never met your friend!
But I can tell you where to start!
Just imagine your friend buying themselves something like this; what would they choose? Would it be something about how cute their farts are, or would it be something more extreme about how much they'd like to eat their mum's bum? I hope it's not that; that's weird.
Once you've figured this out you'll know what sort of thing they'll like.
Dan
LinkedIn profileAfter 25+ years juggling IT and management, Dan realized that many people (including friends, family, and coworkers) were grappling with anxiety and stress brought on by modern life. Determined to offer some comic relief, he founded Mr. Inappropriate, an online store for wonderfully rude and funny adult gifts and cards. Through weekly true stories, naughty product lines, and genuine one-on-one connections with customers, Dan’s mission is to help people safely push social boundaries, share a good laugh, and discover that being a bit “inappropriate” can be surprisingly therapeutic. A proud Yorkshire resident, Dan remains steadfast in his belief that humour is one of the best ways to escape the pressures of everyday life, and that a well-timed, mischievous gift can often o more good than any pill.
