What to Write in a Grandparents’ Day Card: Funny and Loving Messages for Nan, Grandad and Both

August 17, 2026

Grandparents’ Day cards seem easy enough until you open one and discover a large blank space where you’re apparently expected to sum up years of love, family stories and suspiciously generous biscuit portions.

No pressure.

Whether you’re writing to Nan, Grandad, both grandparents, brand-new grandparents or signing a card from the children, here are plenty of funny, loving and properly usable Grandparents’ Day messages to help.

And if you still need the card itself, browse our Grandparents’ Day cards for Nan, Grandad, Grandma, grandparents together and new grandparents.

Looking for the date rather than the words? Read our Grandparents’ Day 2026 UK guide for the date, what the occasion means and simple ways to celebrate.

How to write a good Grandparents’ Day card message

You really don’t need to write an essay.

A good message can be three or four lines, especially if the card front has already done most of the talking.

Try this simple formula:

Start naturally: Happy Grandparents’ Day, Nan.
Say what you appreciate: Thanks for always being there for us.
Add something specific: And for never letting anyone leave your house without feeding them first.
Finish as you normally would: Love you loads, Amy xx

The specific detail is usually the bit that makes it sound like you rather than something copied from the internet.

We use Nan and Grandad throughout this guide, but obviously swap them for whatever your family actually uses: Nana, Nanna, Grandma, Granny, Gran, Grandpa, Gramps or the completely unique name nobody outside the family understands.

Short Grandparents’ Day messages

Simple, warm and useful when the front of the card has already said plenty.

Happy Grandparents’ Day. Love you loads!
Lots of love to a brilliant grandparent.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to one of my favourite people.
Thank you for everything you do.
So lucky to have you. Lots of love.
Sending you a huge Grandparents’ Day hug.
Hope you have a lovely Grandparents’ Day.
Love you more than you know.
Thank you for all the laughs, love and memories.
Happy Grandparents’ Day, you absolute legend.

Funny Grandparents’ Day messages for Nan

For the Nan who deserves affection but would be deeply suspicious if you suddenly became too sentimental.

Happy Grandparents’ Day, Nan. Thanks for the love, advice and relentless attempts to feed me.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to the woman who proves there is no such thing as “just a little something to eat”.
Nan, thanks for always being there with a hug, a brew and an opinion.
Thanks for spoiling us and then acting completely surprised when Mum notices.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to the family’s undisputed Snack Queen.
Nan, thanks for making sure nobody has left your house hungry since approximately 1987.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Thanks for all the cuddles and for treating portion sizes as a personal challenge.
To a brilliant Nan. Still cooler than you let on.
Thanks for always saying yes immediately after Mum has said no.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to my lovely Nan, keeper of snacks, stories and family secrets.

Loving Grandparents’ Day messages for Nan

For when you do want to say something properly lovely without sounding like you’ve suddenly become a greetings-card poet.

Happy Grandparents’ Day, Nan. Thank you for all the love, kindness and happy memories you’ve given us.
To my wonderful Nan. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
Thank you for always being there and for making everything feel a little better.
Happy Grandparents’ Day, Nan. So many of my favourite memories have you in them.
Thank you for all the love and support you’ve given me over the years.
You’ve always made your home feel like our home too. Lots of love this Grandparents’ Day.
I probably don’t say it often enough, but I really appreciate everything you do.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to one of the kindest and most important people in my life.

Need a card to go with it? Have a look at our Grandparents’ Day cards for Nan and Grandma.

Funny Grandparents’ Day messages for Grandad

For Grandads with strong opinions, terrible jokes and a remarkable ability to know a better route to absolutely everywhere.

Happy Grandparents’ Day, Grandad. Thanks for the laughs, advice and jokes we’ve all heard at least twelve times.
To a brilliant Grandad. Still right about everything. Apparently.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to the man who can turn any journey into a detailed discussion about alternative routes.
Grandad, thanks for teaching me that no problem is so simple it can’t involve a trip to the shed.
Thanks for all the wisdom, especially the bits Mum wishes you hadn’t passed on.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to the undefeated champion of falling asleep in front of the telly.
Grandad, thanks for the stories, the laughs and the extremely confident weather forecasts.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Tea, telly, no fuss. You’ve got life pretty well sorted.
Thanks for teaching me everything I know. Especially how to get away with things.
Happy Grandparents’ Day, Grandad. Official family legend status confirmed.

Loving Grandparents’ Day messages for Grandad

Happy Grandparents’ Day, Grandad. Thank you for always making time for me.
Thank you for all the stories, advice and brilliant memories.
I’m very lucky to have a Grandad like you. Lots of love today and always.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to someone I’ve always been able to look up to.
Your love and support have meant more to me than I probably say often enough.
Thank you for being such an important part of my life and our family.
So many happy memories have you at the heart of them. Happy Grandparents’ Day.
Love you, Grandad. Thank you for always being there.

Funny Grandparents’ Day messages for both grandparents

For Nan and Grandad, Grandma and Grandpa, or whatever your particular family double act is called.

Happy Grandparents’ Day to the people responsible for most of the love and at least some of the bad habits.
Thanks for spoiling the grandchildren so consistently. Your commitment is impressive.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to our favourite family double act.
Thanks for being considerably more relaxed about the rules than you ever were as parents.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Two legends, one biscuit tin, absolutely no chance of leaving hungry.
Thanks for winding the children up. We’ll take them home now.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to the ones who actually spoil us properly.
Thanks for always being the fun ones. We’ve noticed.
Grandparents: because somebody has to say yes to everything.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. A lifetime of spoiling and still showing no signs of slowing down.

Loving Grandparents’ Day messages for both grandparents

Happy Grandparents’ Day to two very special people. Thank you for everything you bring to our family.
We’re so lucky to have you both. Thank you for all the love, support and memories.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Our family wouldn’t be the same without you.
To wonderful grandparents, with lots of love and thanks for everything you do.
You’ve given us so many happy memories and so much love. Happy Grandparents’ Day.
Thank you for always being there, for all of us.
So many of our favourite family memories have the two of you in them.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to two people who mean more to us than we probably say often enough.

Sending one card to both of them? Browse our Grandparents’ Day cards for grandparents, including designs made for the family double act.

First Grandparents’ Day messages for new grandparents

A new baby has arrived and somebody else has acquired a new job title.

Their first Grandparents’ Day deserves a mention.

Happy first Grandparents’ Day! You’ve only just started and you’re already smashing it.
Your first Grandparents’ Day. Officially one of the perks of your recent promotion.
Happy first Grandparents’ Day, Nan. You finally have a whole new person to spoil.
Happy first Grandparents’ Day, Grandad. We suspect you’ve been training for this role for years.
Happy first Grandparents’ Day to a very proud new grandparent and one very lucky little grandchild.
Grandparent status suits you. Happy first Grandparents’ Day!
Rookie year. Absolutely nailing it. Happy first Grandparents’ Day.
A brand-new family title and an excellent excuse for another 400 photographs. Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Grandparents’ Day messages from young grandchildren

If the card is from a younger child, short and simple is perfect.

You can write it for them, ask what they want to say, let them sign their own name or hand over the pen and see what happens.

Happy Grandparents’ Day! I love you lots and lots.
To my lovely Nan. Thank you for all my cuddles.
Happy Grandparents’ Day, Grandad. I love playing with you.
To the best grandparents ever. Big hugs and kisses!
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Thank you for making me laugh.
I love coming to your house. Happy Grandparents’ Day!
Love you to the moon and back.
Happy Grandparents’ Day from your favourite grandchild. I’m not allowed to say which one.

Spelling does not need to be flawless. In many cases, questionable spelling actively improves the finished product.

Grandparents’ Day messages from older grandchildren

Once you’re old enough to buy your own card, you’re probably also old enough to admit they’ve done quite a lot for you.

Happy Grandparents’ Day. I don’t say it enough, but I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.
Thank you for always being in my corner. Lots of love today and always.
The older I get, the more I appreciate all the stories, advice and time you’ve given me.
So many of my happiest childhood memories involve you. Thank you for all of them.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. I’m very lucky to have grown up with you in my life.
Thanks for being someone I can always talk to, laugh with and rely on.
I probably didn’t appreciate all the things you did for me when I was little. I definitely do now.
Thank you for being such a constant part of my life. Love you loads.

Messages from all the grandchildren

If several grandchildren are sharing one card, these work without forcing anyone to negotiate whose name goes first.

Happy Grandparents’ Day from all of us. Thank you for everything you do.
Lots of love from all your grandchildren. Yes, even the noisy ones.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. We all chipped in on one card. Very efficient.
Thank you for all the cuddles, laughs, treats and memories. We love you loads.
From all of us to two very special grandparents. Happy Grandparents’ Day!
We’re all very lucky to have you. Lots and lots of love from the whole gang.

Grandparents’ Day messages when you live far apart

Wish I could be there for a proper hug today. Sending lots of love from afar.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Miles away, but thinking of you today as always.
Sending a card until I can deliver the hug myself.
We might not see each other as often as we’d like, but you’re never far from my thoughts.
Happy Grandparents’ Day. Put the kettle on. I owe you a visit.
Sending lots of love across the miles. I can’t wait until we’re together again.

Messages for step-grandparents and grandparent figures

Families don’t all fit one template, and neither should Grandparents’ Day cards.

If somebody has filled that role in your life, write about the relationship you actually have rather than worrying about the technical family title.

Happy Grandparents’ Day to someone who has always made me feel like family.
Titles aside, you’ve always been a grandparent to me. Lots of love today.
Thank you for all the support, laughs and memories over the years.
Families come together in all sorts of ways. I’m very glad ours brought me you.
Happy Grandparents’ Day to a very special person and a very important part of our family.
Thank you for always being there and for making me feel so loved.

How to make your Grandparents’ Day message more personal

The easiest way to make any of these messages better is to add one detail that could only belong to your family.

Instead of:

Thanks for everything, Nan.

Try:

Thanks for all those Saturdays at your house, the endless cups of tea and for always having my favourite biscuits in the cupboard.

Instead of:

You’re a brilliant Grandad.

Try:

Thanks for teaching me how to ride a bike, how to put up a shelf and several words I apparently wasn’t supposed to repeat at school.

You could mention:

a favourite family memory
something they always say
a hobby you share
food they always make
a place you visit together
something they taught you
a family joke only they will understand

Specific nearly always feels more genuine than trying to sound profound.

How should you sign a Grandparents’ Day card?

There’s no special Grandparents’ Day sign-off. Use whatever sounds normal coming from you.

Lots of love,
All my love,
All our love,
Love always,
Big hugs,
Love you loads,
Lots of love from all of us,
Big hugs and kisses,

And if it’s from a small child, an excessive number of kisses and a backwards letter or two is completely acceptable.

One final rule

Don’t worry about making your Grandparents’ Day message perfect.

The best thing you can put inside the card is something recognisably yours.

A shared joke. A genuine thank you. A specific memory. Something Nan always says. Something Grandad has been doing for as long as anyone can remember.

Write that.

They’ll know you meant it.

And if you still need the outside sorted, browse our funny and thoughtful Grandparents’ Day cards and personalise the message inside.

Need the date or ideas for celebrating too? Read our Grandparents’ Day 2026 UK occasion guide.

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