What to write
Write 2 to 4 sentences. Name the achievement. State your reaction. Add a wish or a next step. Sign your name. That structure works for weddings, graduations, promotions, new jobs, retirements, and births. The message length stays short. A congratulations card carries one idea.
What to include
Start with the word 'Congratulations.' The word is plural. Merriam-Webster lists it as a plural noun. Do not write 'Congratulation.'
Name the specific event. 'Congratulations on your nursing degree' beats 'Congratulations on your achievement.' Specific nouns give the card weight.
Add one personal detail. Mention a shared memory or a trait you observed. 'Your study group met at 6 a.m. for two years' is a fact. Facts show attention.
Length and tone
Keep the message under 50 words. A card has limited space. Long messages dilute the point. The average person reads a card in 10 seconds.
Tone follows the relationship. Use formal language for a colleague or a distant relative. Use casual language for a close friend. Match the tone of your last conversation.
Occasion lines
- Wedding: 'Congratulations on your marriage. Best wishes for the move to Denver.'
- Graduation: 'Congratulations on the degree. The job starts in September.'
- Promotion: 'Congratulations on the promotion. You managed the project for 18 months.'
- New baby: 'Congratulations on the birth. Welcome, Maya.'
- Retirement: 'Congratulations on 32 years at the firm. Enjoy the lake house.'
What to avoid
Do not mention past failures. Do not give advice unless asked. Do not compare the achievement to someone else's. Do not write 'You deserve it' if the achievement involved luck. Avoid sarcasm.
Do not use the phrase 'congratulations on your achievement' without a specific noun. That phrase reads as generic.
Sign-off
End with your name. Add a short closing line: 'Best,' 'Yours,' or 'With love.' The closing line depends on the relationship. A business card gets 'Best regards.' A family card gets 'Love.'
Write by hand when possible. The Emily Post Institute recommends handwritten notes for major life events.