Birthday card

[yankeeyosh]

My girlfriend's birthday is Saturday...I got her a present, and a card. The problem is what to say on the card. I have never been in this situation before (giving a birthday card to a SO), so I don't know how to approach this. In addition, I am not sure how to sign the card...I don't want to use "Love"...but I want it to sound like I really care. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[winneythepooh7]

I think using "love" is okay. Or just sign your name. When I get my husband cards, I don't really write anything much in them at all. But then again, he's not really a sappy/sentimental kind of individual.

[wordsmith]

People sign cards using love all the time, I wouldn't overthink it.

[newdate]

Find a nice card that says something meaningful and underline the words that you would emphasize had you written it yourself. Then simply sign your name.

I agree with words, though. Adding "love" is no big deal in this instance. Besides, you've been dating for 4-5 months now, no? I'm sure she knows it's implied even if it's not written.

[hoodie]

You could always end the message by saying something sweet other than love and just signing.
Example:

Happy (#)th birthday! I'm so happy you're in my life and hope to help make this birthday awesome for you. You deserve an amazing day AND year because you're the best, baby!

Mark

[Skyblade]

I always like it when guys mention some cute inside joke we have in a card...or something like that.

[Tayl405]

I always like it when guys mention some cute inside joke we have in a card...or something like that.

Me too. I love when cards are personal.

I also don't think "love" is a big deal. I use it all the time in cards and emails.

[Agadefe]

Something I often do for the first birthday card I give to an SO is I take the letter of their first name and put them in a column on the side of the card that doesn't have writing already and then put a mix of complimentary adjectives and random things for each letter.
Example:
Terrific, the best gf ever, too hot to handle, telemarketer-ignoring champion
A...
M...
M...
Y...

I think something like this comes off as cute and thoughtful and corny-in-a-cute-way without you actually having to put in too much effort in the same vein as writing a poem. Obviously there are other things you can do like this. You could also draw a picture of you guys doing something you often do, but not a particularly good picture, just something that's 'cute', maybe even with stick figures. I'm sure there are others you can think of too along the same lines.

I personally really enjoy the mildly creative, mildly humorous and 'cute' cards (both making and receiving) especially with someone I have been dating long enough to be cute with, but not so long that I can write a heartfelt message about how much I love her, or feel comfortable making her something super adorable like a long poem or PowerPoint presentation with pictures about our relationship.

The inside joke idea and singing mentioned above are also good ones I think.

[KCboy]

This reminds me of the early Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine blur the friendship/dating line.

If you've said love in person, say it in the card.

If you haven't, I don't think I would have a card as the first time I throw out that matzo ball

[yankeeyosh]

This reminds me of the early Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine blur the friendship/dating line.

If you've said love in person, say it in the card.

If you haven't, I don't think I would have a card as the first time I throw out that matzo ball

I have said "love" in person, but I feel the ball is in her court since she did not reciprocate.

I was thinking perhaps "XOXO" or something like that.

The alliteration thing is a good idea...I have thought about it.

[Tayl405]

What about "Always"? Or "Hugs and Kisses"?

[LaFille]

...or you could just stash the card away for next year and not give one :heehee: My boyfriend doesn't do the card thing and it doesn't bother me. I don't know whether or not most girls would care...

[DaneCA]

I like getting a card for my birthday, but I guess it's not a necessity.

Before my ex and I said "I love you," we signed e-mails and cards with "XOXO." But my previous ex signed cards or letters with "love," even before we actually said the words. So don't overthink it; I'm sure your girlfriend won't.

My most recent ex is really artistic, so he always drew something in the cards he gave me. I like that idea, if you're at all artsy, that is!

[freem]

With SO's I've always felt kinda weird about signing Love, if I haven't said "I love you" yet, although I have signed it with a heart, which probably means the same thing.

I've also signed it with just my name before, after saying something sweet, or adding an inside joke. I like to make my cards really personal. But as mentioned above, some guys don't even bother with cards