It's your birthday! It's nice to see your friends remember this, but how do you respond appropriately? In person, just say "thank you!". However, if the greetings are sent via social media or physical mail, the etiquette may be a little different, but it's not hard to learn.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Responding on Social Media
Step 1. Post a thank you message
If you use social media frequently, you may be receiving birthday wishes from old friends and people you don't even remember. Your friends probably won't be looking forward to receiving a personalized response. A message on your wall to thank everyone for their happy birthday is a common practice that makes everyone happy. Here are some sample responses:
- Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I'm having fun!
- A person. A birthday. Lots of happy birthday messages.:)
- IT'S MY BIRTHDAY SO I USE THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON. Thank you all for the kind thoughts!
- See the examples section for more ideas.
Step 2. Post a photo instead (optional)
If you want to thank people in a more visible way, take a picture of your smiling face with a party hat, birthday cake or other symbol of your party. Post a comment thanking everyone for their birthday wishes. This shows that you strive to make your thank you special, but it's still simple enough to put in place.
Step 3. Reply to the longest and most heartfelt messages
If someone sends you a long and heartfelt birthday wish via social media, answer them specifically. Post a response that is at least three sentences long. You can reply directly to the comment or in a private message. There is no need to respond with a new post on the other person's wall.
- Older relatives, those who know little about technology, and people who don't use social media a lot are likely all expecting an individual response.
- You can use this opportunity to reconnect with friends you haven't seen in a long time, even if they only sent you a short message for your birthday.
Step 4. Respond briefly to other messages (optional)
As already mentioned, it is not necessary to answer each person individually. However, if you want to go further, you can like each Facebook post or reply to each with a short comment like, "Thanks for the thought!" or "Thanks, I appreciate it!"
Method 2 of 3: Thank Someone for a Birthday Present
Step 1. Thank someone in person
Whenever possible, thank someone in person after they give you the birthday gift or express their good wishes with commitment. Give any friend or group of friends complete attention, smile and make eye contact as you thank them. Here are some ideas on how to do it:
- Your card meant a lot to me. It really cheered me up.
- It was the perfect birthday present! You know me so well.
- See the examples section for more ideas.
Step 2. Send a card or letter
Relatives and friends older than you tend to appreciate a paper thank you card in the mail. Always add a handwritten message. A short message of thanks is fine, but adding a heartfelt message is recommended for people who have been unusually generous or kind.
See the Examples section if you need ideas on what to write
Step 3. Be specific
Make your friend feel special for their contribution to your birthday party and your life. Mention the specific gift he gave you or the card he sent you. Tell him how much you will use the gift or that you will use it for a long time.
Step 4. Tell your friend what he wants to hear
Never criticize your friend's gift, don't come up with anything embarrassing about it, and don't do anything to upset him. If you don't like the gift, try to find something about it that you like or thank him for taking the time to choose (or create) such a thoughtful gift.
Method 3 of 3: Sample Answers
Step 1. Give compliments
Let the well-meaning know they are wonderful and how much you appreciate them. You can use more specific compliments that suit your friends or these examples:
- Thanks, that's such a nice thing to say!
- Thank you, you are a brilliant and wonderful part of my life.
- I am so lucky to have a group of friends like you!
- Give yourself a pat on the back for being great friends this past year.
Step 2. Tell everyone how much those wishes meant to you
Tell your friends that you appreciate the positive effect they have on your life. Here are a couple of examples:
- Your message gave me a smile that lasted all day.
- It was very nice to hear from you. You made my birthday very special.
Step 3. Post something unique
If you post a mass thank you message on social media, sometimes it's good to stand out a bit. Try one of the following ideas:
- Say something funny, like "It feels good to have so many friends who wish you happy birthday. You will all have 1/207 of my birthday cake."
- Say "Thank you!" in several languages. Try "Salamat!", "Foole tunk!" or choose your preferred languages by searching online.
- Link to a video. There are many thank you videos available online or you can find a clip about your favorite movie, group or animal.
Step 4. Express a serious and genuine thank you
Sometimes, it's good to communicate your sincere and deep appreciation for a whole year of kindness and support. Edit these examples to include specific events from your life for a better effect:
- I feel lucky every day, but even more so when my friends send me tons of support and smiles. I thank everyone for reminding me on my birthday what really matters.
- It has been a difficult year, but the support of my friends and family has made a difference. My sincere thanks to all of you who helped get me back on my feet and face next year with a smile instead of a pout.
