What to Write in a 40th Birthday Card

Turning 40 is a big milestone in itself, something that deserves a thoughtful message.

But between the pressure to be funny, heartfelt, and maybe even a tad sentimental, crafting the perfect birthday wish can feel impossible.

Fear not, fellow well-wisher!

This guide will help you whip up a 40th birthday message that’s both meaningful and memorable.

Let’s get this party started (on paper, at least).

Best 40th Birthday Card Messages

“Happy 40th birthday! May your wisdom increase as much as your age, but may your laughter remain as youthful as ever.”
“Cheers to four decades of life, love, and wisdom. Here’s to many more!”
“Welcome to the fabulous 40s. It’s the perfect time to create new dreams and cherish old memories.”
“Life begins at 40, so they say. Let’s make yours truly unforgettable!”
“40 looks great on you! Wishing you a day filled with joy and a year filled with success.”
“Embrace the journey ahead and remember: age is merely a number, but life is your canvas. Happy 40th!”
“May your 40th year be the start of something extraordinary. Happy birthday!”
“Forty is the perfect vintage. Here’s to a rich, full-bodied year!”
“You’re not over the hill, you’re simply too old to climb it. Just kidding! Happy 40th!”
“Age only matters when you’re a cheese. And you, my friend, are aging to perfection.”
“Welcome to your 40s! A world of wisdom, love, and unforgettable adventures awaits.”
“Today, we don’t just celebrate your birthday. We celebrate 40 years of you being an incredible friend, partner, and inspiration.”
“Happy 40th birthday! May this milestone be the spark that lights up the rest of your life.”
“In the movie of your life, turning 40 marks the end of the introduction. The best is yet to come!”
“Here’s to 40 years of life, love, and laughter. Let’s make the next 40 even better!”
“Happy 40th! With age comes new skills... like the ability to laugh at your own jokes.”
“May your 40th be filled with the same joy and happiness that you bring to everyone around you.”
“You’re not just turning 40. You’re turning 40 and fabulous!”
“Happy 40th! You’re 14,610 days of awesome!“
“Remember, 40 is just the natural number following 39 and preceding 41. Happy birthday!”
“If life really starts at 40, then you’re just getting started! Happy birthday!”
“Turning 40 is like rolling down the hill. You pick up speed!”
“Welcome to the ‘Flirty Thirties’ upgrade, also known as your ‘Fantastic Forties’!”
“At 40, you’ve achieved so much and there’s so much more to come. Here’s to a fantastic decade!”
“Congrats on your 40th trip around the sun! May your journey continue to be filled with light and joy.”
“Four decades down, and yet you’ve barely scratched the surface of all you can do.”
“May your 40s bring you even more success and an abundance of love.”
“Age is an art, and you, my friend, are a masterpiece. Happy 40th birthday!”
“Embrace the journey of your 40s. It’s the time to set your dreams free!”
“Age is the passport to a new decade of opportunities, wisdom, and fun. Welcome to your 40s!”
“At 40, your life is just about to bloom in a whole new way.”
“Turning 40 means that you’ve had the chance to love, lose, find, and understand the true meaning of life.”
“Being 40 is like a fine wine, it just gets better with time.”
“40 isn’t old, it’s a classic. Happy 40th birthday!”
“You make 40 look so good, it’s the new 30! Have a great birthday!”
“Congratulations on your 40th birthday. Here’s to a life full of adventure, joy, and memorable moments.”
“Just think, you’re not 40, you’re 18 with 22 years of experience!”
“In your 40s, you’re wiser, you’re established, you’re comfortable in your own skin, and you’re allowed to start lying about your age.”
“40 is the new… Who cares? You look fantastic! Happy birthday.”
“You’ve brought so much joy over your 40 years. Here’s to spreading even more joy in the decades to come!”
“Happy 40th! May your birthday be the start of a happy journey that leads you to an even more amazing tomorrow.”
“The 40-year-old version of you is pretty awesome. Can’t wait to meet the 50-year-old one!“
“Congrats on four decades of sheer awesomeness! Keep on shining.”
“Happy 40th! Let this day be full of joy and celebration. I wish you an outstanding and fabulous birthday.”
“In the book of life, you’ve turned 40! Can’t wait to read the next chapters!”
“On your 40th birthday, look at how far you’ve come. Be proud, be happy, and look forward to what’s next.”
“40 isn’t a deadline, it’s the beginning of a new era. Enjoy every moment.”
“Turning 40? It’s not the end of the world, but a beginning of a mature, more fun version of you!”
“Happy 40th! Celebrate your age, not because it’s 40, but because it’s a symbol of the rich life you’ve led so far.”
“As you turn 40, embrace the age, it’s a badge of all you’ve achieved and everything you’re yet to accomplish. Happy birthday!”

Funny 40th Birthday Card Messages

“Happy 40th! You’re now officially old enough to be my older sibling!”
“Turning 40 means you’ve finally reached your peak… and it’s all downhill from here. Happy Birthday!”
“I hear 40 is the new 20… if you count in Celsius!”
“Happy 40th! I’d say you’ve aged like a fine wine, but we both know you prefer cheap beer.”
“If 40 is the new 30 and 50 is the new 40, why can’t Thursday be the new Friday? Happy birthday!”
“Remember, you’re not turning 40! You’re just 18 with 22 years of experience.”
“Welcome to the ‘I may need to sit down’ phase of your life. Happy 40th!”
“Happy 40th! You have a whole decade to up your game before the big 5-0.”
“At 40, if you see a strand of gray hair, consider it light hair, not a sign of aging.”
“Happy 40th! We’re going to need a flamethrower to light up your candles.”
“Hey, at least you’re not as old as you’ll be next year! Happy 40th!”
“Welcome to your 40s! Brace yourself for teenage kids!”
“Congratulations on turning 18… with 22 years of experience! Happy 40th!”
“Happy 40th! I’d ask how old you feel, but I don’t think they’ve invented numbers that high yet.”
“Turning 40 is like riding a bike… with the wheels falling off. Happy birthday!”
“40 is just the age when it’s inappropriate for a man to have posters in his bedroom.”
“Happy 40th birthday! You’re now smart enough to realize that being young isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Don’t think of it as turning 40, think of it as being 20 with 20 years of getting away with it.”
“Happy 40th! Now you’re one step closer to discounts at movie theaters, restaurants, and flights.”
“You know you’re turning 40 when your back is hairier than your head. Happy Birthday!”
“Happy 40th! Age gets better with wine.”
“Turning 40: When a night of drinking requires more recovery time than minor surgery.”
“Congratulations on being another year older... and still maintaining such a low level of maturity. Happy 40th!”
“Welcome to the ‘finger-licking-good-fourties.’ Not to be confused with KFC, you just can’t eat as much anymore.”
“You’re not 40. You’re 18 with 22 years of experience and 22 years of eating cake.“
“Congratulations! You’ve made it to 40 without becoming a crazy cat lady.”
“Happy 40th! Just remember: You’re not old, you’re vintage.”
“You’re 40 now? Time to start yelling at kids to get off your lawn!”
“You know you’re 40 when ‘getting lucky’ means finding your car in the parking lot. Happy Birthday!”
“Here’s to being 40! Where ‘getting some action’ means your prune juice is working.”
“Remember when we were kids and thought people our age were adults? How wild is that? Happy 40th!”
“Happy 40th! At your age, ‘getting lucky’ means walking into a room and remembering what you came in for.”
“You’re not 40. You’re 4 perfect 10s! But remember, those don’t come cheap.”
“Happy 40th! You’re now old enough to need TWO packs of candles for your cake.”
“It’s not your 40th birthday we’re celebrating — it’s the second anniversary of your 39th!”
“You’re 40 now, but with your slow metabolism, you’ve got the body of a 50-year-old. Happy birthday!”
“On your 40th birthday, let’s raise a glass... because that’s a lot easier than raising standards at this age!”
“You’re not 40. You’re just a teenager with 22 years of experience and the body to prove it. Happy birthday!”
“If life was a movie, turning 40 is where the plot starts to thicken.”
“Happy 40th! You know you’re old when your candles cost more than your cake.”
“You’re not getting old, you’re increasing in value. Happy 40th, you vintage model!”
“You know you’re 40 when your knees buckle, but your belt won’t. Happy birthday!”
“Happy 40th birthday! Just think, in dog years you’d be… oh never mind, that’s even worse.”
“Welcome to your 40s: When a quiet night in is better than a big night out.”
“Just think: You’re not 40, you’re a high score of 39.99 plus tax!”
“Happy 40th! It’s all downhill from here, so we might as well start drinking.”
“At 40, I’ve got one piece of advice for you: start lying about your age.”
“Congratulations on your 40th birthday! I’ve heard of ‘turning heads’, but you’re about to start turning life alert buttons.”
“40 is when your body gives your brain a list of things it isn’t going to do anymore. Happy Birthday!”
“Happy 40th! From now on, we’ll need to start cutting your cake in larger slices to fit all the candles on top.”