It's important to send congratulations cards for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, it's a way of connecting with your loved ones, to celebrate with them in advance, or sometimes just so they have something tangible to reflect on after an achievement or celebration.

It can be a really lovely way for those of us who find it difficult to express emotions in person, or who struggle with finding the right words on the spot, to be able to write a considered message that could become a cherished keepsake.

Congratulations cards are all the more important from afar. Often, when there's physical distance between us, we might not be able to join in with the in-person celebrations, such as attending an exhibition opening night, or going to a graduation party. Sending a card is a great way to recognise their special achievement, and to celebrate despite the distance. A card lets them know, "hey, I see how hard you've worked, and I'm so proud of you!".

 

Professional Wins

New Job

1. Congratulations on your new job! You're going to absolutely smash it
2. Well done on getting a new job lovely, you're been working so hard towards this and I'm so excited for your new chapter as a Manager of Meows. You're the best person for the job, wishing you all the happiness and success in this new role!

Promotion

1. Congratulations on your promotion! You've worked so hard to get here, and I know you'll continue working hard and learning lots in this new position too.
2. Well done on getting promoted! Your determination and hard work is paying off, proud of you!
3. Yes, look at you being all manager-y now! Congratulations on your promotion, pal.

Launching a New Business or Project

1. Congratulations on starting your new business, so excited for this new chapter for you!
2. If running a business was easy, everyone would do it. You have the grit and determination to see you through, and I'm so proud of you for this first step in business, and can't wait to see where this journey takes you! I'll be here to support you along the way.
3. Woohoo you did it, you launched that thing! Really proud of you for how hard you've worked so far, and all the hard work you're going to do in this new business venture. I know you'll be a success, from your number one cheerleader!

Retirement

1. Congratulations on your retirement, we're going to miss you around here! Thank you for everything, you're such an important person in our team and it won't be the same without you.
2. Time to celebrate the next chapter, and all the fun you're going to have in retirement!
3. You're retired! Congratulations on a fantastic career, and on the start of this new chapter. It's going to be so much fun rediscovering hobbies and making time for what brings you joy!

Work Anniversary

1. Congratulations on a wonderful five years at Company! You've made such a positive impact here, and we can't wait to see what you achieve in the next five years with us too.
2. Happy Work Anniversary - the team wouldn't be the same without you!
3. Congratulations on putting up with us for another year!

Business Milestone

1. Congratulations on a fantastic 10 Years in Business - it's not been easy, you've put your heart and soul into this business, and look at what you've created! You deserve every success, and hope the next ten years are your best yet!
2. You've worked so hard for this milestone in your small business. Your hard work and determination have paid off, you deserve every success. Proud of you.

 

Creative Achievements

While we traditionally celebrate academic achievements and passing driving tests, it is also important to recognise the creative achievements of our friends and loved ones.

These achievements are just as worthy of celebration, and can take many years of gaining more experience and persevering without much recognition.

Here are a variety of messages for artists, writers, singers, musicians, photoggraphers, actors, actresses, and more. Many of these sentiments can also be adapted to be more suitable for your recipient.

It's time to send a thoughtful message to show how proud you are of them, and show you see the dedication they put into their creative pursuits.

Art Gallery Exhibition

You might be looking to celebrate your creative friend's exhibition at an art gallery, whether it's their first solo show, or a group show in a city or abroad. Here are some messages you could use to celebrate your friend.

TIP: Mention the name of the exhibition or piece, it can be a thoughtful way to personalise your message.

TIP: What do you love about the piece or exhibition? If a certain colour or composition is speaking to you, artists love to hear that their work has made you feel an emotion, or what in particular you enjoy about viewing it.

1. Putting together an exhibition takes a lot of work, perseverance, and grit. I'm sure there have been many long days and nights in the run up to this show, and I'm so proud of everything you've been working so hard for, and of everything you've achieved.
2. I've heard you have an exhibition in London, which sounds incredibly cool! I hope it's a success, I'm sure it will be and I'm looking forward to seeing the photos afterwards.
3. I can't wait to see your gallery show on opening night! Everything you have been working so hard on for the past few months, and all the experience over the past ten years, is all coming together. So excited for you and celebrating this fantastic milestone with you!
4. Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're showing your artwork in France! (Actually, I can, because it's AMAZING, and you deserve an exhibition in every country!) Congratulations you clever and creative thing, I'm super proud of you and can't wait to hear all about it!
5. I'm so excited to see more of your recent work and to hear all the stories behind it during your opening night! You must be so proud of all your hard work, I know I am - I'm looking forward to hearing all about your creative process and inspirations. You deserve every success and happiness (...and also a good rest once this is all over!)

Published a Book

They wrote a whole book, possibly went through multiple rounds of editing, and countless other steps that those of us who aren't writers or in publishing know nothing about!

If they can write a whole book, I'm sure we can manage to write a card together! Here are some messages to celebrate your author friend.

TIP: Mention the name of the book or series, or make a reference to their pen name, it can be a thoughtful way to personalise your message.

1. It's such exciting news that you've just finished writing another book in the Cat's Whiskers series! I can't wait to read it, I love your series so much, the characters are the best - I love how much mischief Teazle gets into, you absolutely bring her character to life!
2. Woohoo, congratulations on your first ever published book! Time to pop down your pen for a break and a celebration, I'm so proud of you and everything you're achieving!

Released a Music Album

Your friend just launched their first ever single, or a full music album, so you're going to need some messages to recognise their musical milestone!

TIP: Mention the name of the song or album, it can be a thoughtful way to personalise your message.

1. I heard you just released a new album, I can't wait to get my hands on it and listen to it, you know how much I love your last one!
2. Congratulations on releasing your first music album! You've worked so incredibly hard on this, and your passion for singing really shines through. Couldn't be more proud of you

Landed an Acting Role

Your pal just got their big break in television, or a role in a play, or they're going to be in a film - next stop, Hollywood! Here are some messages to celebrate actors and actresses.

TIP: Mention the name of the role or the film/play, it can be a thoughtful way to personalise your message.

1. From the moment you got the classic part of door holder number 3 in the nativity play at school, we knew you had star potential! You've come a long way since then, and we couldn't be prouder!
2. You're an ACTOR dah-ling! Congratulations, can't wait to see your film soon - you always work hard at everything you do, you deserve this so much!
3. Grit, determination, perseverance - it's taken a lot of work to get here, I'm so proud of you! P.S. Can I get your autograph?! ;)
4. Break a leg! Looking forward to being there on opening night to watch your show, you'll be the most amazing Mr. Mistoffelees the world has ever seen

Nominated or Won an Artistic Award

You're looking for a message for a friend who has been nominated or won an artistic award. Maybe it's taken them years to get to this point in their career, maybe it's a prestigious award, maybe it was a really long and gruelling application process with lots of rounds - whatever the situation, it can be lovely to recognise their wins, and even the prestige of being nominated for an artistic award.

TIP: Mention the name of the artistic award, it can be a thoughtful way to personalise your message.

1. Congratulations on your nomination for the Cat's Pyjamas Artistic Award! It's such an achievement to even be nominated for this award, and I'm so proud of you and of all your hard work. You deserve this so much, I'm keeping everything crossed for you!
2. Yippee you won it! The Cat's Pyjamas Artistic Award panel clearly have a great eye for these things, you deserve this after all your hard work and years of experience. Nobody paints whiskers quite like you do! I'm so proud of you and I'm really excited for you winning this, what an incredible achievement!

Completed a Creative Project

When your friend completes a film, animation, or photography project, sending a card can be a really great way to recognise the completion of a long-running project. This is especially meaningful if they are self-employed or doing it as a creative hobby, as they might not get the same recognition at completion that someone might do in a traditional workplace at the end of a project.

1. Congratulations on finishing your photography series! I loved the cat theme, and each photo showed such a fantastic insight into each cat's unique personality. It's been great to see this project develop, from when you first started sharing these photos online, to several years later now you've posted your final one. You must be so proud of everything you've achieved and everything you learned along the way - I can't wait to see what you do next!
2. Well done for completing your short film! I know it's taken up so much of your free time in the past year, and it's wonderful to see the film and everything you worked so hard on. Time for a well-deserved break (before you inevitably put that creativity back to work on the next big project!)

 

 

Academic Wins

To be written... check back soon!

Graduation

Scholarship or Fellowship Awarded

Acceptance into a Program

Passing Exams

Publication or Research Recognition

Academic Competition Win

Completion of a Thesis or Dissertation

 

Personal Milestones

To be written... check back soon!

Running a Marathon

Sobriety Milestone

Completing Treatment for an Illness

 

Life Events

To be written... check back soon!

Engagement

Wedding

Pregnancy

New Baby

Adoption

New Home

Moving to a New City or Country

Becoming a Citizen

Anniversary

Divorce

 

Just Because Celebrations

To be written... check back soon!

Made it Through a Tough Week

Stood Up For Yourself

Prioritised Your Mental Health

Stepped Out of Your Comfort Zone

Slow but Steady Progress

Kindness