Birthday invitations — what to write for a child, an adult and a milestone birthday

“Birthday invitation” means three different things depending on who is celebrating. A children’s party, a 30th and a 60th have different guests, a different tone and different questions the invitation has to answer.

A child’s birthday

The invitation is read by the parents, not the children. So it has to be practical.

• The child’s name and age. “Oliver is turning 5!” is the whole occasion.
• Day, time and how long it lasts. Parents are planning their afternoon.
• The venue, and whether it is indoors or outdoors. That decides what clothes and shoes the children will wear.
• Do parents stay? Say it clearly. For children under 6, usually yes.
• Allergies. Ask in the invitation, not on the day.

Oliver is turning 5 and is inviting all his friends to a party! Sunday, 18 October, 15:00–18:00, Little Bears play centre, 14 Church Street. Let us know by 10 October, and tell us if there is anything your child shouldn’t eat.

An adult’s birthday

Here the tone is up to you. It can be playful or relaxed, but it has to answer one question: what is the format?

• Dinner at a restaurant, a party at home or a night out at a bar?
• Do guests need to book anything, or are you taking care of it?
• Is there a gift you really want, or would you rather have no gifts?

I’m turning 30 and I want to celebrate with the people I love. Saturday, 24 October, from 20:00 at Bar Central. No gifts, lots of dancing. Victoria.

A milestone birthday — 50, 60, 70

A milestone birthday is more formal and is often organised by the children or grandchildren. The invitation should say who is inviting and do justice to the occasion.

On the occasion of our father John Harrison’s 60th birthday, we invite you to a celebratory dinner. Saturday, 7 November, 19:00, The Garden restaurant. We would be delighted to have you with us. The Harrison family.

If the party is a surprise, write it in capital letters and repeat it. One guest who congratulates the birthday boy or girl a week early spoils everything.

When to send the invitation

• Child’s birthday: 2–3 weeks before the date.
• Adult’s party: 2–3 weeks.
• Milestone birthday with guests from other towns: 4–6 weeks.

The things that get forgotten

1. The address. “At ours” is not an address for your child’s new friends.
2. A phone number for the day. Someone always gets lost.
3. A reply deadline. Without one you don’t know how much cake to order.

In InviteCards a birthday invitation has the buttons “Yes, we’ll be there” and “Sadly, no”, a field for allergies and a map to the venue. The replies arrive in your dashboard, not in ten different chats.

A birthday is the one celebration everyone has every year. Make the invitation so that it is easy to say “yes”.