One of the most awkward parts of your birthday is all the birthday wishes you receive.
Some people naturally know what to say when someone wishes them a happy birthday.
Others might be unsure of how to respond.
This is especially true if you’re not one to make a big deal out of your birthday.
Knowing how to reply to birthday wishes can help take some of the awkwardness out of the situation.
How To Respond To Happy Birthday (50 Best Replies)
1. “Thank You”
Sometimes the best thing you can do is thank the well-wisher.
This is useful when people you don’t know well wish you a happy birthday.
It’s polite and succinct.
It’s also useful for people whom you do know well.
It shows that you appreciate them recognizing the special day.
2. “Please Don’t”
If birthdays aren’t your thing or you’re having a rough day, then this simple phrase may be the best way to respond.
It’s better than a simple “don’t,” since that can come off as rude or dismissive.
By saying “please,” you’re basically making the other person aware that you’re not feeling great about your birthday.
For some people, birthdays can be rough.
It may be more than just another day of growing older.
It might be the anniversary of something unpleasant.
If you don’t want to deal with birthday wishes, then this phrase may be your best response.
3. “Am I Dead Yet?”
A classic way to downplay your growing anxiety about your age is to use this deadpan response.
Even the young eventually begin to feel older than their years.
If you’re pessimistic about your future, then you might make this joke to poke fun at your birthday.
This response isn’t best to use with just anyone, however.
It’s best used among friends who have a similar mindset or sense of humor as you.
They can quickly assure you you’re not and present your cake.
This is a great response for those with a dark sense of humor.
4. “Another Year Older”
Birthdays mark another year of growing older.
While you’re aging every second, a birthday is your time to celebrate the experience you’ve gained in the past year.
This phrase essentially summarizes that experience.
You’re another year older, and you have another year ahead of you.
Children and teenagers might use this phrase with excitement, but for most adults, it tends to come with some dread.
However you wish to use it, it’s an appropriate response to birthday wishes.
5. “Time For Cake”
One of the best aspects of birthdays is that you get to eat birthday cake.
While you can eat cake whenever you want, a birthday cake is special.
You only technically get to eat it once a year.
By using this response after someone wishes you a happy birthday, you can focus your attention on one of the more exciting parts of a birthday celebration.
It also speeds up or helps you avoid any other conversations that people might want to have.
6. “Are You Sure?”
A fun way to respond to someone when they wish you a happy birthday is to ask if they’re sure.
For a moment, they might second guess themselves and wonder if they remembered the date wrong.
This can be a fun prank to pull on friends.
It works a little less well on parents and family for obvious reasons.
However, by asking if they’re sure, you can have a bit of fun when someone wishes you a happy birthday.
7. “How Did You Know?”
This response is ideal for those who don’t know you that well.
It might be an employer, a coworker, a new friend, or a distant relative.
Asking how they knew is especially great if you follow it up with praise.
For example, you can say that it meant a lot to you that they found out when your birthday was.
It shows that they cared enough to do research and ensure they made the date special.
8. “You Really Shouldn’t Have”
This response can be both authentic and sarcastic.
When used authentically, it can indicate that you appreciate that they took time out of their schedules to wish you well.
It also shows your appreciation for them remembering what date your birthday falls on.
However, this phrase is also useful for those who want to be sarcastic.
If used among parents and friends, it essentially suggests that you’re not as thrilled as they are that it’s your birthday.
9. “Thanks For Remembering”
Another way to thank the person is to specifically thank them for remembering your birthday.
Not everyone does remember birthdays.
Even those closest to you might have problems remembering the date.
The fact that someone took the time to remember is something special.
You can make them feel good, in return, by thanking them for remembering.
This response is great to use with anyone—be they parents, friends, or coworkers.
10. “It’s Not My Birthday”
Another great way to prank someone on your birthday is to tell them it’s not your birthday.
If they wish you a happy birthday and you immediately hit them with an “it’s not my birthday,” then you get the pleasure of watching them panic.
You can keep them panicking for as long as you want, but you should eventually break and tell them you were kidding.
They might give you a playful punch on the shoulder, but no one can blame you for wanting to have a bit of fun on your birthday.
11. “Thanks, It’s Nice To Have Great Friends”
If you want to make your friends feel good, then this phrase is another great one to use.
When a friend wishes you a happy birthday, then you can then thank them, in return, for being a great friend.
Not everyone has friends to wish them a happy birthday, so it’s extra special if you do have friends who wish you well.
You’re also telling them that they’re a great friend.
They can feel good about themselves, too, which makes your friendship stronger.
12. “I Appreciate Your Wishes”
One of the most awkward ways to receive a happy birthday wish is from a coworker whom you don’t know well.
You might not even like them.
The best thing you can do in this instance is to keep it cordial.
This phrase is great for keeping things civil and polite.
It’s a positive acknowledgment without becoming too personal.
This is also great to use among friends of friends whom you also don’t know well.
13. “Another Year Already?”
Since birthdays mark the passing of time, you might want to use this remark to acknowledge that time has passed.
It can also cause you to become a bit reflective.
Using this phrase encourages you to reflect on some of the events that transpired in the previous year.
You can choose to share those with the person who wished you a happy birthday or keep them to yourself.
14. “I’m Lucky To Have You”
You can also make the person wishing you a happy birthday feel special by telling them how lucky you are to have them.
It’s certainly true.
Without them, you might be alone on your birthday.
While there’s nothing wrong with celebrating your birthday alone, it can feel a bit lonely.
By telling them how lucky you are to have them, it makes them feel good, too.
15. “Thank You, I Love You”
This phrase is best used with parents, spouses, lovers, and children.
If your friend group doesn’t have a problem sharing love either, then you can also use it with them.
By thanking them and telling them that you love them, you’re strengthening the connection that you share.
It also shows them how much it meant to you that they wished you well.
16. “I’ve Learned A Lot This Past Year”
When someone wishes you a happy birthday, you might reply by saying it was a year in which you learned a lot.
A lot can occur in a single year.
You might have found love.
You might have lost love.
You might have lost your job.
It’s even possible you found your dream job.
Using this phrase basically tells the person and anyone else around that you had quite an eventful year.
It also gives you the opportunity to talk about it with them.
17. “What A Wild Year It’s Been”
This is a variation of the phrase above.
This response is particularly useful if you’re itching to tell other people about what transpired in the past year.
Saying that you had a wild year indicates that you have some great stories to tell.
There’s no better way to kick off a birthday party than to share some stories.
If you want to tell others about your life, then this is a great phrase to get the conversation going.
18. “I Feel Even Wiser”
While birthdays are hallmarks of a year that has passed, they’re also a time when you can tell others how wise you’ve become over the past year.
You might mean it authentically or sarcastically.
If you’re using it authentically, then you might have learned some lessons in the past year.
If you’re using it sarcastically, then you might be referring to a few decisions that you made that were not the smartest.
Using this phrase invites a conversation with the well-wisher.
19. “I Feel Dumber”
This is the opposite of feeling wiser on your birthday.
Perhaps you feel that you didn’t grow at all since your last birthday.
You may have made some mistakes, and you’re not sure if you’ve learned from them.
You might also be using this phrase sarcastically.
You might be suggesting that you’re actually just growing older.
However you wish to use it, it can encourage others to engage in conversation with you about the year that passed.
20. “Thanks, I Tried Hard To Make My Birthday Come Sooner”
If you want to joke with the person who wished you well on your birthday, then you might want to use this phrase.
The joke is, of course, that you can’t really speed up your birthday.
It comes once a year on the same day.
When someone wishes you a happy birthday, it’s almost like they’re congratulating you for staying alive another year.
Using this phrase sort of turns it on its head and makes light of it all.
Since it’s a joke, this phrase is best used among friends and family with a good sense of humor.
21. “Just So You Know, I’m Still 21”
One of the classic ways to respond to someone who wishes you a happy birthday is to insist you’re not as old as they say you are.
If you’re turning 30, for example, then you might insist to them that you’re still 21.
No matter how old you become, you’re actually 21.
It’s something that can become an ongoing joke each year.
They might even decorate your birthday cake with 21 candles to humor you.
Since this phrase is a lighthearted joke, you can use it with anyone who wishes you a happy birthday.
Aging is something everyone can relate to.
22. “That’s One Less Person Who’s Dead To Me”
As long as your friends have a good or dark sense of humor, then you can also use this phrase.
Some people take their birthdays very seriously.
Some don’t but pretend that they do.
If someone doesn’t wish them a happy birthday, then they might make the joke that the individual is “dead to them.”
This essentially means they no longer care about the person.
When someone does wish you a happy birthday, then you can use this phrase to let them know they passed the test.
They can be your friend for another year.
23. “What Did You Get Me?”
Besides birthday cake, receiving birthday gifts is another hallmark of celebrating your birthday.
At some point, you might stop receiving birthday gifts.
That’s where this phrase can be a bit of fun.
By immediately asking someone what they bought you for your birthday, you can put them in an awkward spot.
They might be confused because they didn’t think anyone was exchanging presents.
By using this phrase, you can roast them a bit before finally telling them you’re kidding.
If you do exchange presents for birthdays, then using this phrase can help you get right to the good part.
24. “Thanks, I Had An Amazing Day”
Another phrase you can use when someone wishes you a happy birthday is to thank them and tell them about your day.
If you don’t want to go into details, then this phrase is ideal.
It essentially tells them that you spent your birthday well.
They can always ask about your day, but it gives you the power to tell them as much or as little as you want.
Because this phrase is quite casual, you can use it among coworkers and those you don’t know well, too.
If someone wishes you a happy birthday, particularly someone you aren’t close with, then this is a good way to thank them since it’s not as generic.
25. “Thanks, I Spent Some Quality Time With My Family”
When you’re comfortable with the person wishing you a happy birthday, then you might volunteer some information about it.
You might thank them and tell them that you spent your birthday with your family.
This then allows them to ask about your birthday if they wish to do so.
You can even launch into further details if you feel comfortable with it.
This is another great response to use with coworkers whom you may not know well but like all the same.
It’s even appropriate for coworkers whom you do enjoy.
26. “Thanks, I Had A Quiet Birthday This Year”
A final variation of this response is to thank them and tell them you had a quiet birthday.
Sometimes having a quiet birthday is the best gift you can give yourself.
It helps you relax, reflect, and make plans for the upcoming year.
It’s also a great response to use if you need to tell a lie.
If you had a party and didn’t invite the person wishing you well, for example, then it might be a bit awkward to admit it.
As such, you might tell them that you had a quiet birthday.
This response is also useful for hinting to friends and family that you might not want a quiet birthday the following year.
27. “Next Year Is Going To Be Even Bigger”
Celebrating a birthday isn’t always doom and gloom.
Instead of dreading growing another year older, you can look forward to it.
This response essentially tells the person that you’re excited about the year ahead.
You’re going to face even more challenges and overcome them.
You’re going to have more adventures and experiences.
Your connections with your friends and loved ones are going to become even deeper.
By giving this response, you can tell the other person that you’re ready for another year.
28. “You Rock”
When someone wishes you a happy birthday, then you might need to keep things casual while also trying to make them feel good about themself.
Saying that they “rock” can give them a bit of a boost as thanks for giving you a bit of a boost.
The great thing about this response is that you can use it for almost anyone.
It’s casual enough that it’s great for coworkers whom you know and don’t know.
Yet, it’s also inspiring and fun enough to use with friends and family.
Telling someone that they rock for wishing you a happy birthday can make them feel like a superstar.
29. “Thank You, Everyone”
You might find yourself in a situation where someone wishes you a happy birthday but you’re in a crowd of people who are also looking to wish you a happy birthday.
Instead of thanking each person individually, you can simply use this phrase to thank everyone at the same time.
This is great because it saves time.
It also saves a bit of awkwardness since you don’t have to repeat the same thing over and over.
By thanking everyone together, you can move on to the other birthday festivities.
Because it’s general, you can use this phrase among a group of friends and coworkers.
30. “Your Message Made Me Smile”
Sometimes people wish you a happy birthday through an email, on social media, or with a text.
When you receive a birthday message, then one of the best ways to respond is to let them know that it made you smile.
Since they’re unable to see you, they’re also unable to see you react to their well-wishes.
Simply telling them that they made you smile can brighten their day, too.
There may be a reason why they can’t wish you a happy birthday in person.
By taking the time to message you, they’re showing that they care.
This response lets them know that you appreciate their effort to make you feel special.
31. “I’m Grateful For Your Kind Words”
Another way to thank someone, whether it’s in person or through a message, is to thank them for their kind words.
This is a way to acknowledge how kind they were to take the time to wish you a happy birthday.
32. “I Hope My Birthday Wish Is The Same As Yours”
If your lover wishes you a happy birthday, then you can use this phrase as a flirty response.
If you have something particular in mind for your birthday celebration, then this response can help them get on the same page as you.
33. “You Made My Day”
There’s no question that some people can really make your day by wishing you a happy birthday.
By letting them know that they made your day, you can make them feel positive, too.
Knowing you made someone’s day can end up making your day, too.
This response is great for friends, family, and coworkers.
34. “You’re Overwhelming Me, Thank You”
Sometimes a heartfelt “happy birthday” can really move you.
When that happens, you might feel a little overwhelmed with love, joy, or just appreciation.
By letting the well-wisher know you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re also telling them how special they made you feel.
That can make them feel happy, too.
35. “Thank You, I Take That To Heart”
“Taking something to heart” means that you’re really feeling what they’re saying.
You’re deeply appreciating what they’re saying and all the love that comes with it.
By acknowledging their love and care for you, you can make their efforts feel seen and recognized, too.
This response works particularly well with friends and loved ones.
36. “You Filled Me With So Much Joy”
Sometimes, when a certain person tells you happy birthday, you might feel a bit more joy than when someone else does.
It might be a crush or even a spouse.
Telling them that their well-wishes filled you with joy can make them feel great, too.
37. “Thank You, I Needed This”
Birthdays can be rough.
When they mark an anniversary of a tough time, it can be difficult to feel good about anything.
Even if you’re just having a bad day, someone wishing you a happy birthday can make it feel a bit better.
By using this response, you can make them aware that they really made you feel good when you needed it most.
38. “I’m Blessed In So Many Ways”
It’s a blessing to have friends and loved ones who care enough about you to wish you a happy birthday.
You can make them aware that you know how blessed you are by telling them so.
39. “I Don’t Need Anything For My Birthday but Your Smiling Face”
Birthdays don’t always have to just be about you.
You can make the other person feel good and special by giving them a compliment.
By telling them all you need is them, you can make them feel good about themselves.
This is a nice response to use with a partner or spouse.
40. “I Feel Both Grateful And Lucky To Have Great Friends At My Side”
True friends are always there to wish you a happy birthday.
You can let them know how grateful you are for them by using this phrase when they wish you a happy birthday.
It also gives them a boost since you’re acknowledging them as great friends.
41. “My Heart is Fluttering, Thank You”
It can be especially awkward when someone you like romantically wishes you a happy birthday.
You don’t want to come on too strong, but you also want them to know how special they made you feel.
Telling them that your heart is fluttering is a great response since it acknowledges them and lets them know that their wishes had a profound effect on you.
42. “I Consider Myself Blessed To Have Friends Like You”
If your group of friends wishes you a happy birthday, then this response is a great one to use.
It tells the group as a whole that you consider yourself blessed to have them.
43. “You Made This A Memorable Day For Me”
Anyone can you wish a happy birthday, but it takes someone truly special to make it memorable.
When that happens, it’s worth telling them that they made it especially memorable for you.
Telling them that they made your birthday special can make them feel good, too.
This response is great for friends, family, and loved ones.
44. “My Birthday Wouldn’t Have Been As Fun Without You”
If a friend or loved one spends the day spoiling you or even just spending time with you, then you might want to make them aware that you appreciate it.
Using this phrase can make them aware that your birthday was great specifically because of them.
45. “Your Wishes Are As Special And Unique As You”
Another great response when someone wishes you a happy birthday is to make them feel special and unique.
This response lets them know that you think they’re a very special person.
It’s great to use with crushes, partners, or even spouses.
It can also be considered romantic for romantic-minded people.
46. “Thank You, I Look Forward To Our Adventures In The Upcoming Year”
This is another great response to use when someone you are particularly close with wishes you a happy birthday.
It thanks them, but it also makes them aware that you look forward to more memories shared with them in the future.
It also reminds them of the special place they hold in your life.
47. “The Years Have Gone By So Fast”
Birthdays can make you feel a bit nostalgic.
You might reminisce about the birthdays you’ve had before.
It may even make you marvel at how fast time is moving.
Using this response is a great way to recall some old memories with family and friends.
48. “I’ll Never Be Able To Replicate The Warmth You’ve Shown, Thank You”
If you really want to make someone feel special, then you should use this response.
They might have made you feel warm and loved by wishing you a happy birthday.
You can use this phrase to let them know that you also want them to feel warm and loved.
49. “I Am Humbled You Wanted To Spend Today With Me”
When someone particularly special wishes you a happy birthday and spends time with you, you might be moved.
They may find it difficult to travel to your location.
They might just be very busy.
Using this response essentially tells them that you really appreciate the extra effort they put into spending time with you on your birthday.
50. “Your Thoughtfulness Is Something I Will Always Treasure”
Wishing someone a happy birthday may seem like an easy thing to do, but it isn’t always at the front of people’s minds.
You can make them aware that you appreciate their thoughtfulness by using this response.
You can even use it for coworkers that you appreciate and like.
Conclusion
Hearing someone wish you a happy birthday can sometimes be stressful if you don’t know how to respond.
You can use the above phrases whether the well-wisher is a coworker, friend, family member, or loved one.
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