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29 ALTERNATIVES
FOR HAPPY BIRTHDAY
AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
VOCABULARY LESSON

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ALTERNATIVES FOR HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

1 HB!
This is a playful abbreviation for text
messages.

2 Many happy returns (of the day!)

We are implying that we want them to live a
long time with many more birthdays!

3 Have a great one!

'One' is used to replace something that is already
known to the listener. They know it means 'day.'

4 I wish you the best on your special day!

'Special day' is used to talk about important
events like birthdays and weddings.
5 Wishing you a day that is as special as you
are!
Sometimes we say 'wishing' instead of 'I
am/we are wishing.'
6 Wishing you many more candles to blow!
I hope you have many more birthdays (and
birthday cakes!)

7 Happy 21st birthday!

If somebody is older, you. can flatter them by
implying that they look 21!

8 May your day be filled with laughter (and

presents!)
Who doesn't love presents?

9 Happy beerday!
This is perfect for anyone who uses their
birthday as an excuse to drink lots of beer!

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10 Hmmm...didn’t we celebrate this just a

year ago?
This is a cheeky joke!

1
11 Congratulations, you survived another
trip around the sun.
This is a witty remark!

2
12 Happy womb eviction day!
This one could be considered rude, so be
careful! I find it to be hilarious.

3
13 You’re ageing like a fine wine!
Expensive wines get better with age, so this is a
lovely phrase to say to someone on their birthday!

1
14 Don’t count your candles. Just enjoy the
glow.
Don't worry about your age, just enjoy the
celebration!

ALTERNATIVES FOR HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

(TO ANOTHER COUPLE):

1 Wishing a perfect pair a

perfect day together!

2 Here’s to another year of being great

together!

3 Another year, another reason to

celebrate!

4 I always knew you two had something

special!

5 Love and cheer to one of our favourite

couples!

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ALTERNATIVES FOR HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

(TO YOUR PARTNER):

1 I love you more and

more every year!

2 Thanks for putting up with me for another

year!
'To put up with' means 'to endure/tolerate.'

3 Here’s to X years, and X million

memories!

4 I can’t believe it’s been X years already!

5 Happy ______ Anniversary

We have names for each anniversary.

1st anniversary — Paper
2nd anniversary — Cotton
3rd anniversary — Leather
4th anniversary — Linen
5th anniversary — Wood
6th anniversary — Iron
7th anniversary — Wool
8th anniversary — Bronze
9th anniversary — Copper
10th anniversary — Tin
20th anniversary — Platinum
25th anniversary — Silver
30th anniversary — Pearl
40th anniversary — Ruby
50th anniversary — Gold
60th anniversary — Diamond

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QUIZ
Test your memory! Without looking at the previous
pages, fill in the correct words!

1 Don’t count your candles. Just enjoy the

________.

2 Thanks for _________ up with me for another

year!

3 We have been married 40 years so we are

celebrating our ________ anniversary.

4 Love and ______ to one of our favourite

couples!

5 You're ageing like a _______ _______.

6 Happy __st Birthday!

7 Wishing you a day that is ___

_______ ____ you are!

8 Many happy _________!

Answers:
snruter .8 reehc .4
sa laiceps sa .7 ybur .3
12 .6 gnittup .2
eniw enif .5 wolg .1

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