Congratulations Messages: What to Write in a Congratulations Card
When you’re celebrating the achievement of a friend, family member, or colleague, delivering them a congratulations card with a personalised message is an excellent way to congratulate them. But, you want to make sure you write the perfect message to celebrate them.
There are three parts to an excellent congratulations card:
- Expression of excitement for the accomplishment
- Acknowledgement of hard work and/or time investment
- Well-wishes for future success
It’ll be tempting to weave yourself into the narrative of the congratulations card. But remember that your message should centre on the person/people whose achievement you’re celebrating. Stay focused on the message, and radiate positivity and encouragement.
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate a New Baby
There are a number of ways to write an impactful, genuine congratulatory message to a couple welcoming a new baby. Here are some quick Dos and Don’ts for your celebratory note:
Do: - Mention the baby by name (if you know the baby’s name) - Remark upon how happy the family will be with their new addition - If applicable, compliment the family on their hard work during the pregnancy
Don’t: - Give the baby a nickname (some parents can be sensitive about this) - Remind the parents that parenting is a difficult journey (focus on the positive instead!) - Make sexual innuendos about the couple
Remember that there are three critical parts to a congratulations message. With that in mind, let’s explore some examples of excellent congratulations messages for a new baby:
“Congratulations on welcoming your son Ian into the world! Helen, you were amazing during the pregnancy, and Josh offered such outstanding support. I wish you a heartfelt and rich parenting journey, and I’m looking forward to seeing your growing family soon!”
“Huge congratulations to you and your new baby! You worked so hard during the adoption process, and I’m so thrilled that you finally got to meet your darling Ellie. You’re going to be such a great mum, and I wish you and Ellie a fun future.”
“I’m so excited for the growing Smith family! I can’t even imagine what it’d be like to be pregnant with twins, but Sandra, you rocked it. We wish all the Smiths (especially the newest ones!) a bright future, and we’re excited to hear the names you’ve chosen! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on your lovely baby Jessica! If she’s anything like her mums, she’ll grow up to be a brilliant, hardworking, beautiful person. Your dedication to bringing this life into the world is inspiring, and Jessica will be thrilled to hear how hard her mums worked to be able to meet her. From our family to yours, we wish the three of you an amazing future together!”
The examples above are just that: examples. They all meet the three-point criteria of an excellent congratulations card, they’re genuine, and they’re personalised. The tone is positive, and the focus is on the parent(s) and their new baby.
But, they’re also quite short. If you’re congratulating someone you’ve known for a long time, you’ll likely have more to say. Use these example messages as an outline, and fill in the blanks with information pertinent to your relationship if you’d like. Let’s expand upon the first example:
“Congratulations on welcoming your son Ian into the world! Helen, when we were first years at Bristol University, and you introduced me to Josh, I knew right away that you had a bright future together. Helen, you were amazing during the pregnancy, and Josh offered such outstanding support. The love that you both have for each other is sure to make a positive impact on Ian; you two are going to be outstanding parents. I wish you a heartfelt and rich parenting journey, and I’m looking forward to seeing your growing family soon!”
It’s easy to write a longer message once you have a general idea of what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. Experiment with these examples to craft the perfect congratulations message for a parent welcoming a new baby!
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate a New Job
Is someone in your life celebrating a new job? Let’s craft the perfect congratulatory message to celebrate their success.
Check out these Dos and Don’ts for writing a congratulations card to someone celebrating a new job:
Do: - Tell them how great they’re going to be in their new role - Compliment their hard work to get the new job - Wish them success in their new position
Don’t: - Remind them of their last job (especially if they were fired) - Say anything negative about the company, their boss, or their position - Say anything about their paycheck
Keeping these Dos and Don’ts and the three key elements of a congratulatory message in mind, let’s explore some example messages.
“Congrats on the new job Henry! You’ve worked extremely hard to get to this exciting place in your career, and you’re deserving of every opportunity you get. Best of luck at ACME. You’re gonna kill it!”
“So excited to hear about your new job, Tammy! After all of the time investments you’ve made in your career, you’re more than deserving of this amazing opportunity. Best of luck in your new office, and pencil me in for lunch every now and then! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on getting that awesome new job, Casey! After all the time and effort you’ve put in over the years, it’s time for you to celebrate this massive achievement. You’re going to be amazing at Widgets Inc., and I hope this is the start of an outstanding career!”
“Senna, huge congratulations on the new job! You worked incredibly hard in law school, and it’s no surprise that you landed a seat at a top firm. Your work ethic and commitment to civil rights law make you perfect for the job, you’re going to be awesome!”
These examples achieve the three key parameters of a great congratulations message while heeding the Dos and Don’ts list. They’re also a little short, and you can always expound upon them with positive encouragement or anecdotes. Let’s try this with our second example:
“So excited to hear about your new job, Tammy! You’re always shooting for the stars, and you put the time and effort in to get there. After all of the time investments you’ve made in your career, you’re more than deserving of this amazing opportunity. The Smith Company is more than lucky to have you on the team; they just scooped up the best of the best! Best of luck in your new office, and pencil me in for lunch every now and then! Congratulations!”
As long as you nail a positive tone and keep the message uplifting and celebratory, you’re sure to craft the perfect congratulations message for someone who just got a new job!
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate a Promotion at Work
If someone you know just got a promotion, it’s time to celebrate! Writing them a congratulations message will be a snap, but be sure to heed these Dos and Don’ts:
Do: - Tell them how hard they worked to achieve the promotion - Tell them how well they’ll perform their new duties - Wish them future advancement in their career
Don’t: - Mention any changes in their salary - Express jealousy about being passed over for the position yourself - Make any negative comments about their new team or their new role
Now that we have these guidelines, let’s try some example messages:
“Congratulations on your promotion, Sammy! After going so far above and beyond this past year, you’re so deserving of this recognition. You’re going to be excellent in your new role! I wish you a happy and fulfilling career path lined with future advancements.”
“Way to go Jack! No one has been more committed to the department than you have since the day you walked through the front door. I know you’re going to kill it in your new position, and I wish you many fulfilling days on the job. Congratulations!”
“Congrats on the promotion Cleo! That interview process would have exhausted anyone, but you stuck it out and scored big. You’re going to be outstanding as assistant manager, and I look forward to celebrating your future successes.”
“Congratulations on your big promotion Stanley! When you set your mind to something, you work hard, and you absolutely put in the work to achieve this goal. I hope you find even more career success in the future, but in the meantime, enjoy your new role!”
If you want to expand upon these examples, just be sure to heed to Dos and Don’ts list when you add more content to your message. Let’s lengthen our third example:
“Congrats on the promotion Cleo! Ever since I met you in the staff room on your first day, I knew you had the guts to make it big here. That interview process would have exhausted anyone, but you stuck it out and scored big. That dedication and hard work are exactly why you’re so deserving of this promotion. You’re going to be outstanding as assistant manager, and I look forward to celebrating your future successes.”
Keep the tone celebratory, and focus on how well they’ve done and will do in the future. Writing a congratulations message for someone celebrating a promotion is a breeze!
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate an Engagement
An engagement is an exciting time for any couple, and you want to craft the perfect congratulations card to show the couple how thrilled you are for their upcoming marriage. But like every other congratulations message, there are some tactics to embrace and some to avoid when writing in an engagement card:
Do: - Do mention a fond memory you have of the couple - Say something nice about both people involved (don’t just focus on one) - Express excitement for the wedding
Don’t: - Mention any disagreements the couple has overcome during their relationship - Bring up any ex-partners of anyone in the couple - Mention having children
Congratulating a couple on an engagement is usually pretty simple. Whether you keep it short and sweet or write a longer message, you’re sure to impress with any of the following examples:
“Congratulations on your engagement! Stephanie, I remember when you first introduced me to Howard. I liked him right away! Howard, when you came to me and asked for help with the engagement ring, I could barely keep the secret because I was so thrilled. I’m so excited for your wedding, and I wish you a long life of happiness and joy together.”
“Congrats on the engagement Stuart and Lee! I can’t remember spending a night out on the town with you two that wasn’t a blast; the two of you have so much fun together! I’m looking forward to your wedding, and I couldn’t be happier for the both of you!”
“Congratulations on your engagement! Kodie, after you brought Hunter to come to my football match (and he cheered for me despite not knowing me), I knew he was a keeper. Your wedding is going to be fabulous, and I can’t wait to celebrate your love!”
“Congrats Janine and Donna! I’m so excited that you’re engaged! Donna, even though I haven’t known you for as long as I’ve known Janine, you fit right in with our family from the moment you met us. I’m thrilled that you’ve found each other, and I can’t wait to celebrate your wedding!”
Let’s expand upon our fourth example. Adding some extra details can make a message all the more personal!
“Congrats Janine and Donna! I’m so excited that you’re engaged! Janine, I’ve known you my entire life, and your energy and positivity are going to make you an amazing wife. Donna, even though I haven’t known you for as long as I’ve known Janine, you fit right in with our family from the moment you met us. Figuring us out is no small feat, but it’s like you’ve been here our entire lives. I’m thrilled that you’ve found each other, and I can’t wait to celebrate at your wedding!”
With an upbeat tone and some sentimental anecdotes, you can craft the perfect engagement congratulations message. Focus on the couple, and share in the excitement of their love!
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate Marriage
Weddings are some of the most fun events to attend, especially for a couple that’s close to you. But, you want your wedding card to contain the perfect congratulations message that balances well-wishes and sincerity. You’ll also want to keep these Dos and Don’ts in mind:
Do: - Express excitement for the couple to begin their lives together - Tell the couple how much they mean to you - Comment on watching them grow together as a couple
Don’t: - Mention anything that happened at the bachelor/bachelorette party - Comment on the gift you gave them (especially if you gave them money) - Mention any worries about the couple’s relationship
Let’s parse through some example messages that follow these guidelines and the three key parts of a congratulations message:
“Congratulations on your marriage! I’m so excited for your married life to begin, and it’s been a pleasure watching you grow together as a couple throughout your relationship. Manny and Laura, you both mean the world to me, and I’m thrilled to celebrate your love.”
“Congrats on your wedding! Mel and Joe, watching you plan your wedding together was like magic. You bring out the best in each other, and I wish you both a long, joyful life together!”
“Congratulations on tying the knot! Clara, ever since Christa brought you to dinner for the first time, you’ve been part of the family. You both mean so much to me, and I can’t wait to watch your married life grow and flourish!”
“Kelly and Mason, huge congratulations to the both of you! After we all had year 9 biology together, I knew we would all be friends for life. To watch you both fall in love and commit to each other has been an amazing experience, and you complete each other so beautifully. Congrats on your marriage, and may your married life be rich and full of joy!”
All of these example messages express congratulations, acknowledge the progress the couples have made in their relationships, and wish them a happy marriage. But, marriage notes shouldn’t be too brief, especially if you’re very close to the couple. Let’s add some more flair to the first example:
“Congratulations on your marriage! Watching you two meet for the first time at the United-City match was unlike anything I had ever seen; you knew you were soulmates from the first moment. I’m so excited for your married life to begin, and it’s been a pleasure watching you grow together as a couple throughout your relationship. Manny and Laura, you both mean the world to me, and I can’t imagine life without either of you. I’m thrilled to celebrate your love, and I know I will be for a long time.”
Personal touches make a congratulations message for newlyweds genuine and heartfelt. The examples above would all make a successful entry in a wedding card!
Congratulations Messages to Celebrate a New Home
One of the most exciting events in a person’s life is purchasing a new home, especially if it’s their first. Home ownership is exciting, and crafting a congratulations card for a new homeowner requires care and attention:
Do: - Acknowledge the hard work invested into the home buying process - Remark upon the beauty of the property (and find something positive to say, even if you don’t like the place) - Wish the new homeowner a long life in the house
Don’t: - Mention anything about the price of the home or how good/bad the deal was - Remind the homeowner that houses require significant maintenance and upkeep - Ask the homeowner when they’re going to fill up the house with children (if they don’t have any)
Home ownership is a fabulous experience, but creating a congratulations message for a new homeowner is a nuanced process. Remain positive, and stay focused on your goal: congratulating the new owner! Here are some examples:
“Congratulations on your new home, Katelyn! Buying your first home is such a huge accomplishment, and you were determined and motivated throughout the entire buying process. Every element of this house is so you, and I wish you a long and happy life in your new home.”
“Congrats on the new digs, Carson and Jamie! You really snagged a beautiful property, and I’m thrilled to play football on that big front yard in summer this year. I know you’re both going to put your personal touches on the house and make it your own, and I’m thrilled to see how you and this house grow and change together.”
“Congratulations on being a homeowner, Lizzie! For your first time, you made the long process look like a breeze, and you bought a truly beautiful house. I’m looking forward to seeing how you decorate it, and I hope you and this house grow old together!”
“Congratulations, Jenn, you’re a homeowner! The house is beautiful, and you worked so hard to get it. Knowing you, it’s going to be perfectly decorated, and I can’t wait to visit soon! Best of luck on your new adventure in homeownership!”
Each of these messages would make an excellent congratulations card, but let’s expand upon the second example:
“Congrats on the new digs, Carson and Jamie! Between Carson’s excellent taste and Jamie’s sticktoitiveness, I knew you were going to pick a winner. You really snagged a beautiful property, and I’m thrilled to play football on that big front yard in summer this year. And you don’t have to deal with the card of our old flats anymore! I know you’re both going to put your personal touches on the house and make it your own, and I’m thrilled to see how you and this house grow and change together.”
Injecting some personal flair into a message is an excellent way to make it more genuine and heartfelt.
Generic Congratulations Messages
While we’ve covered some topics that warrant a congratulations message, there’s no way we can cover them all. The following examples can be used for any achievement, and they offer endless possibilities for personalisation. Here’s the formula:
Excitement + Acknowledgement of Hard Work + Wish for Future Success = Perfect Message.
Here’s the formula in action:
“Congratulations [Name]! I’m so thrilled about your recent [success], and I know you worked so hard to get here. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the future, and I’m so happy for you.”
Of course, you can infinitely expand upon this formula by using different words or changing the order. Here’s another use of the formula:
“[Name], you worked incredibly hard to achieve this goal, and I’m so proud of you. Congratulations on [success]! Your future is so bright, and I’m thrilled to celebrate your future wins.”
Even though the formula is different, all of the elements of a great congratulations message are there. Let’s try a real-world example to fill in some of those blanks.
If your cousin recently pitched a no-hitter in a big softball tournament, you could write something like this:
“Congratulations Bailey! I’m so thrilled about your recent no-hitter, and I know you work so hard on the field and off to achieve your goals and hone your skills. I can’t wait to see you pitch another no-hitter, and I’m so happy for you.”
The formula works! This message is heartfelt, genuine, and gets the job done. Plus, you can easily add content if you want to make it a little longer. Let’s try it:
“Congratulations Bailey! I’m so thrilled about your recent no-hitter, and it was so exciting to watch you in your element! Ever since we were kids, you’ve worked so hard on the field and off to achieve your goals and hone your skills. I can’t wait to see you pitch another no-hitter, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will. I’m so happy for you!”
The inclusion of a few more personalised details really took this message to the next level. While this formula is guaranteed to outline the perfect message, only you can truly make it impactful.
Let’s try the formula for a friend who just passed the bar exam:
“Congrats Medorie! All of your studying and late nights in the library paid off, and you can officially say you’re a lawyer! I know you’re going to be so amazing when you start working, and I wish you a lifetime of success in the field.”
Just fill in the blanks to match your circumstances, and the formula will come through for you. Try it out the next time you’re stuck on what to write in a congratulations card. The formula and injection of personal details will create a message that the recipient will treasure.
Write the Perfect Message Every Time
This guide covered a variety of examples of what to write in a congratulations card and gave advice for crafting a message for any situation.
The key thing to remember is that impactful congratulatory messages include excitement, acknowledgement of hard work, and best wishes for the future. If you keep those three guidelines in mind, you’ll slay every congratulations card!
