Enhance Your Friendship with a Personal Handwritten Congratulations Message

The day has come. Today, one of your best friends celebrates his or her 30th birthday. A few days ago you bought a personal gift and a congratulations card. Yet, just before leaving to go to the party the following questions pop up: What to write on the card? How to think of a personal congratulations wish that will be remembered for years? Although it seems easy to write a standard congratulations message, such as "Congratulations on your birthday", it is often more difficult to think of a personal message that is really special and meaningful for your friend. This article illustrates three reasons why it is important to spend some extra time on writing a personal congratulations message, especially when it concerns a message for a special friend. First, a handwritten and thoughtful congratulations message makes the bond stronger between you and your friend. In particular, it can help to reassure your friend about the unique friendship that you share. Every friendship – whether with your parents, friends, colleagues or acquaintances – needs reassurance every now and then. Of course, it's important to do this regularly, for example by frequently showing interest in what your friend is doing and thinking. Yet, on a special day like a birthday, you might want to do something you don't do every day. You can use a handwritten message to visually describe why the friendship between you and your friend is so important for you, and why it is something you never want to lose. Second, in a face to face conversation many people find it difficult to talk about their emotions and feelings. It makes them feel vulnerable. Writing a personal message can make this easier. It gives you time to think about what you really want to say to your close friend. As such, it gives you the opportunity to say things you wouldn't necessarily say otherwise. You can, for example, take some time to think about an original way to describe the friendship between you and your friend or, more importantly, what you appreciate so much about your friend. Third, it is more likely that a personal congratulations message will be saved. In fact, most congratulations cards disappear in a garbage can only a few days after the party. Especially cards without a special meaning, for example cards with the standard congratulations messages on it, are often thrown away. At the same time, most people also tend to save a small subsample of the cards they receive; they tend to keep the cards that are more special to them. Of course, it is difficult to define what is 'special'. Yet, a handwritten personal message shows that you put effort in writing it, which also shows that you are willing to devote time and effort to the friendship. Hence, a handwritten message is more likely to be saved. Every time your friend will have a look, he will be remembered what a great friend you are. To conclude, next time a close friend celebrates a special occasion, you should invest some extra time to handwrite a personal congratulations message. If you do well, it can leave an unforgettable impression. As such, it will have a positive effect on the quality of your friendship. Enjoy the party! Surprise!