What to write in a gift card: messages in English and Urdu

The best gift card message is short, personal and in the language the person speaks with you every day. Two to four lines are enough: say what the occasion means to you, mention something only you two share, and sign off the way you always do.

Below is a simple formula, then messages for every common occasion in English and Roman Urdu (Urdu written in English letters, the way many families text). Copy one as it is, or use it as a starting point and change the details.

A simple formula

1. Greet them the way you would on the phone: "Ammi Jaan", "Bhai", "Nano".
2. Say one specific thing: a memory, a habit, something you miss.
3. Close warmly, with a prayer, a promise or your usual sign-off.

For example: "Happy birthday, Ammi Jaan. I still can't make chai the way you do. See you in December, in sha Allah."

Birthday

• "Happy birthday, Ammi. I miss your chai and your advice, in that order. See you soon, in sha Allah."
• "Happy birthday, Abbu. Thank you for every early morning drive to school. Love you."
• "Happy birthday to the best brother, and the worst at cricket. Wish I was there for the cake."
• "Saalgirah mubarak! Aap ki duaon ki wajah se hum yahan tak pohanchay. Bohat pyar."
• "Saalgirah mubarak, Nano! Allah aap ko lambi aur sehat wali zindagi day."

Eid

• "Eid Mubarak from all of us in Dubai. Save me some sheer khurma for next year!"
• "Eid Mubarak, Ammi and Abbu. It doesn't feel like Eid without your house full of people."
• "Eid Mubarak! Aap sab bohat yaad aa rahay hain. Agli Eid saath manayenge, in sha Allah."
• "Eid Mubarak, chhotay! Your Eidi is inside. Don't spend it all on the first day."

Ramadan

• "Ramadan Mubarak. Remember me in your duas at iftar."
• "Ramzan Mubarak, Ammi. Allah aap ke rozay qubool kare. Apni sehat ka khayal rakhiye ga."

Mother's Day

• "Ammi, everything good in me started with you. Happy Mother's Day."
• "Happy Mother's Day to the woman who still asks if I've eaten, every single call."
• "Ammi Jaan, aap ke bina kuch bhi mumkin nahi tha. Bohat pyar aur bohat duaein."

For your father

• "Abbu, you never said much, but you were always there. Thank you."
• "To the man who taught me to work hard and stay humble. Happy birthday, Abbu."
• "Abbu, aap ki naseehatein aaj bhi kaam aati hain. Allah aap ko salamat rakhay."

Wedding

• "Mubarak ho to you both. Wishing you a lifetime of laughter, and patience for each other's habits."
• "So sorry to miss the big day. Save me a plate of biryani and a seat at the next family dinner."
• "Shaadi mubarak! Allah aap dono ko hamesha khush rakhay."
• "Bohat bohat mubarak ho! Allah is rishtay mein barkat day."

Anniversary

• "Happy anniversary, Ammi and Abbu. Thank you for showing us what a real partnership looks like."
• "Shaadi ki saalgirah mubarak! Allah aap dono ka saath hamesha salamat rakhay."

New baby

• "Welcome to the world, little one. You have a family that already loves you very much."
• "Congratulations! Can't wait to meet the newest member of the family on video, then in person."
• "Mubarak ho! Allah is nannhay mehmaan ko sehat aur khushiyon wali zindagi day."

Get well soon

• "Thinking of you every day. Rest, eat well, and let everyone spoil you."
• "Get well soon, Phuppo. The family group is far too quiet without you."
• "Allah aap ko jald sehat day. Hum sab ki duaein aap ke saath hain."

Thank you

• "Thank you for taking Ammi to every appointment while I couldn't be there. I won't forget it."
• "Jazak Allah for looking after the house while we were away. This is just a small thank you."
• "Aap ka bohat shukriya. Aap ki wajah se hum yahan sukoon se hain."

Missing you, for no reason at all

• "No occasion. Just missing you and wanted you to know."
• "Saw a mango stall today and thought of you. Sending love from far away."
• "Aap bohat yaad aa rahi hain. Jald milenge, in sha Allah."

When you can't be there

Some of the most meaningful cards say plainly what you're missing:

• "I'm sorry I can't be there today. I'll be on video, and I'll be thinking of you all day."
• "Wish I could hug you instead of sending this. Next time, in person."
• "Main wahan nahi hoon, lekin dil aap ke saath hai."

Tips for writing your own

• Write as you speak. If you call her "Ammi Jaan", write that. If your family calls your aunt "Khala" or "Phuppo", use it.
• Roman Urdu is fine. Many families text this way, and it reads as personal, not careless.
• Be specific. "Thanks for everything" is forgettable. "Thanks for the parathas every Sunday" isn't.
• Keep it short. A card that fits on one side gets read more than once, and shown to visitors.
• Spell prayers the way your family does: in sha Allah, Masha Allah, Jazak Allah. There's no single right spelling in Roman Urdu.
• Sign off with names they know you by, especially if the card is from several people: "Love, Sana, Ali and the kids".

Mistakes to avoid

• Jokes that only work in person. Teasing reads differently on paper, especially for elders.
• Long paragraphs. If you have a lot to say, send a voice note too, and keep the card short.
• Forgetting who else will read it. Cards in Pakistan get passed around the room. Write something you'd be happy for the whole family to see.

Send it with a gift, or on its own

When you send a gift with presents.pk, we write your message by hand on the card, exactly as you send it. If you'd rather just send the words, make a free animated e-card and share it on WhatsApp in a minute.

Send a gift with your message → · Make a free e-card →