A milestone birthday gift with a story in it
Milestone birthdays are when people look back. A personalised birthday poem gives them something to look back with: the friend who's been there since school, the car held together with garden twine, the voice that still can't drop to a whisper. It's a gift that shows you've been paying attention all these years.
You tell us who it's for, which birthday it is and a few details. We write a rhyming poem around them, and you see it free in under a minute. When it's right, choose a design and download a print-ready A4 PDF for £9.99. It can go in a frame, inside their card, or be read out at the party.
For Jo — On Her 50th Birthday
— Love always, Kate
A sample poem. Yours is written from scratch around your own details.
Ideas for each milestone birthday
Every big birthday has a slightly different feel. Here's what tends to suit each one:
30th birthday
Keep it fun. Flatmates, first jobs, questionable haircuts, the group chat. A poem from friends can be gently rude, as long as it ends kindly.
40th birthday
Somewhere between nostalgia and teasing. The things they swore they'd never do and now do every weekend, the family they've built, the friends who've stuck around.
50th birthday
Half a century is a good excuse for a proper look back: school, the big moves, the people who've been there all the way through.
60th birthday
Often a mix of celebration and thanks. Retirement plans, grandchildren, the garden, and all the things they've quietly done for everyone else.
80th birthday
Their life in a few verses. Where they grew up, who they married, the work they did, and the little habits the whole family knows. Our poems for grandparents page has more ideas.
What to tell us about the birthday person
- How you know them, and for how long. "Best friend since Year 7" already says a lot.
- A story you always tell about them. The holiday, the wedding mishap, the night out that became a legend.
- A habit or quirk. Always late, always early, chats to strangers in queues, can't parallel park, plans everything to the minute.
- Something they always say. A catchphrase, a favourite toast, the nickname they give everyone.
- What's next for them. A new job, a move, the trip they've been saving for.
- How they make you feel. Like you can tell them anything, like a room is better once they've walked in.
How it works
- Tell us about them. Their name, which birthday it is, and a few details and memories.
- Preview your poem free. It's written in under a minute. If you'd like changes, ask for a rewrite.
- Download and gift. Choose a design and unlock the A4 PDF for £9.99. It's emailed to you within minutes.
Ready to write theirs?
It takes about five minutes, and you'll read the whole poem before you pay a penny.
Start a birthday poemQuestions
Can I mention their age in the poem?
Yes. Tell us which birthday it is and it can be part of the poem. If they'd rather not be reminded, say so and we'll leave the number out.
Can I read it out at the party?
Yes. Every poem is written in rhymed verse with a steady rhythm, so it sounds good read aloud. It's worth reading it through a couple of times beforehand.
Can the poem be from a group of friends?
Yes. Put everyone's names in the 'from' box, such as 'From the Tuesday netball lot', and add a memory or two from different people.
What if their birthday is tomorrow?
You see a free preview in under a minute, and once you pay, the print-ready PDF arrives by email within minutes. Print it today and it's ready to give.