What to write in a get well card

80+ get well soon messages to show you care

When friends, family members or colleagues fall ill, the tradition of the get well card is one of the many morale-boosting rituals that can help to keep people smiling – or even laughing – during recovery. 

Here at thortful, we’ve got a lovely selection of get well cards for you to choose from, and here are a few of our fave designs:  

To help you come up with some fitting phrases to lighten the mood, we’ve pulled together a collection of witty, playful, simple, and caring get well messages just for you. And to get them grinning like a Cheshire cat? Take inspiration from our gifts and send a treat to their door. They’ll be delighted.

Tips on writing get well wishes 

Before we dive in, let’s run through some top tips on writing get well soon card messages. As you stare at the blank page, don’t forget to bear the following in mind: 

  • Lead with optimism: When you’re feeling under the weather, it’s easy to get a little down in the dumps. So, when writing your card, make sure to fill it with plenty of optimism, letting your friend or loved one know that brighter days are coming.  
  • Express love and support: Don’t forget to mention that you’re there to support them every step of the way. Whether this is a weekly phone call or visit, they’re bound to appreciate it. 
  • Tailor your message: While we’ve come up with some lovely get well soon messages below, make sure to add a unique touch to yours. Whether this is a funny inside joke or one of your favourite memories, it’s a guaranteed way to make them smile. 

Simple get well messages

Looking for a simple get well message? We’ve pulled together some short and sweet (but super thoughtful) ways to express your well wishes below:

  1. Get well soon – we all miss you!
  2. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
  3. Sending love and strength to brighten your day.
  4. Stay strong! Every day is a step closer to recovery.
  5. Good cheer is the best of all healers – sending you plenty of it!
  6. Hoping to see you back on your feet soon.
  7. So sorry to hear you’re unwell. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
  8. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
  9. Hoping you’re back to your amazing self before long!
  10. Looking forward to having you back in our lives very soon.

Funny get well soon messages

When someone is feeling a little worse for wear, or struggling through a long illness, as well as good health, all they’ll want is to be cheered up. And that’s where you come in. Our range of hilarious get well cards will bring a real smile to their face, so check them out and pen down one of these funny get well soon messages:

  1. Sorry to hear you’re unwell! I guess germs like you as much as I do.
  2. They say laughter is the best medicine, but have you tried morphine?
  3. Hope you’re back on your feet before long! Although it’s a shame there’s no cure for being a loser.
  4. Wishing you a speedy recovery, you clumsy idiot!
  5. Can you get well soon, please? I’m running out of nice things to say.
  6. Just seen that you’ve included me in your will and wanted to wish you a quick and painless death.
  7. Heard you’re malfunctioning. Have you tried turning yourself off and on again?
  8. Hope you feel better soon – so you can come back to work and feel worse again!
  9. Get well soon! The alcohol industry is missing you.
  10. Wishing you a speedy recovery from being a moany hypochondriac!

Playful get well messages

If you’re wondering what to write in a get well card for a sibling or friend, why not go down the playful route? Lightening the mood (while also expressing plenty of love) can be a real winner: 

  1. Hope you get well soon! There’s a load of washing up for you to do.
  2. Wishing you a speedy recovery, so we can make fun of you again and not feel bad about it!
  3. I would wish you a speedy recovery but, let’s face it, you’re going to milk this for all it’s worth, aren’t you?
  4. Would be great if you could hurry up and get well soon – your cough is really starting to grate on me.
  5. Get well soon buddy! I’m having to make extra coffee rounds while you’re ill.
  6. If this thing kills you off, what am I getting in your will?
  7. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually missing you.
  8. No rush to recover anytime soon – we’re keeping all your work piled up on your desk for when you get back.
  9. I always said you were a sicko.
  10. You might feel better if you stop Googling your symptoms.

Witty get well messages

Hoping to send speedy recovery wishes to someone who’s usually the class clown? If so, here are some of our wittiest get well messages to put a smile right back on their face:

  1. Can you get well soon, please? You’re stealing my limelight.
  2. Sorry to hear you’re not well! We’re keeping a tally of the rounds you’ve not bought at the pub.
  3. Please don’t die, my diary is really busy at the moment.
  4. Just to let you know, I’m only being nice to you because you’re ill.
  5. It’s for times like this that the universe gave us YouTube and endless cat videos. Get well soon!
  6. I’m really sick of you being sick!
  7. Thought about coming to visit you but I really don’t want what you’ve got, thanks.
  8. Got to say, you’re using up a lot of sick days that could have been useful for hangovers!
  9. I asked everyone to sign your get well card, but they’ve all forgotten who you are…
  10. Get well soon (because I’m getting super bored…). 

Our cheeky get well cards go perfectly with the above message ideas. So, have a browse, pick out your favourite design, then send it on its way to lift their spirits! 

Caring get well soon messages for a friend

If in doubt with your get well soon card message, it’s always best to go down the caring route. With this in mind, we’ve put our heads together to help you write a message that’s come from the heart: 

  1. Just to let you know we are all thinking of you and wishing you a fast and full recovery.
  2. There’s nothing that someone as strong as you cannot overcome. We’re all with you on your road to recovery.
  3. Sorry I can’t be there to give you all the hugs that you’re getting in my mind!
  4. We’re all rooting for you as you bounce back to full health. You got this!
  5. Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.
  6. Thinking of you every day while you work your way back to health.
  7. Can’t wait to see you back on your feet, smiling and happy again!
  8. You’ve always been a source of strength for me in tough times, and I’m sure that same strength will have you back to full health in no time.
  9. These are tough times, but better days are coming! I’ll be here for you no matter what.
  10. I’m with you every step of the way, and don’t forget, brighter days are on the way. 

As well as pinching one of these caring messages, you could really spoil them by sending a bunch of get well soon flowers to their door. After all, what’s lovelier than a beautiful bouquet to brighten their day? 

Get well messages for a parent 

Parents dedicate their lives to taking care of their kids, so it’s only right the roles are reversed when it’s their turn to feel under the weather. If you’re looking for get well wishes to send to mum or dad, how about one of the following? 

  1. Get well soon mum/dad. You’re handling everything amazingly and I’m super proud of you. 
  2. Sending you lots of love and hugs. Remember, I’m only a call away, whatever you need. 
  3. You’ll be on the road to recovery in no time mum/dad. I know you can do it! 
  4. You’ve looked after me my whole life, and now it’s time I looked after you. So, how about we start with a cuppa? 
  5. You’ll be feeling better very soon. But for the time being, rest up, and I’ll crack on with all the cooking and housework!
  6. Just a little reminder that you’re so loved. Get well soon! 
  7. Rest up, mum/dad. Everything else can wait! 
  8. One step at a time mum/dad. I’ll be here, right by your side. 
  9. It’s time to rest, relax, and let your fave child spoil you rotten. 
  10. Can’t wait ‘till you’re feeling better so I can get out of doing the washing up. 

Get well soon messages for siblings 

If your sibling isn’t feeling their best, let them know you’re thinking about them with one of the below speedy recovery wishes. Whether you’re looking for something touching or tongue-in-cheek, we’ve included a variety of options: 

  1. Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling under the weather bro/ sis. If there’s anything I can do, don’t hesitate to give me a call! 
  2. Sending you lots of love and healing vibes. Don’t worry, you’ll be back to your annoying *cough* I mean lovely self in no time… 
  3. While life’s a bit rubbish now, just take it as an opportunity to rest up and daydream about all the fun times to come. Feel better bro/sis!
  4. Sending you all the love in the world on your road to recovery. 
  5. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling so great. Sending you lots and lots of love bro/sis. 
  6. Get well soon, the house is way too quiet without your usual chaos. 
  7. Wishing you a quick bounce back bro/sis!
  8.  Rest up and feel better and we’ll be back to our usual mischief making in no time. 
  9.  Sending you all the healing vibes possible (I need my partner in crime back). 
  10.  Get well soon (I’ve got gossip piling up and no one to share it with).

Get well soon messages for colleagues

If you’re aware that someone that you work with is currently taking some time off sick then a get well card from a co-worker will make certain they know just how valued they are in their job. Not sure how to keep it professional? Here are some of our get well soon messages for colleagues:

  1. The office isn’t the same without you, hope you feel better soon!
  2. As your work wife/hubby, I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and sending my best wishes.
  3. Everyone at work wanted to send along their well wishes, so here you go! If there’s any way we can help, just let us know.
  4. You’re such a hard worker and I know you’re going to make a quick recovery.
  5. God of all the times to get sick, it just happens to be when we’re at our busiest, what a coincidence!
  6. Get well soon! We’ll have all your favourite snacks ready on your desk for when you come back.

Inspirational get well soon quotes

If you’re really at a loose end with what to write in a get well card, you can say it all without having to say it yourself! By this, we mean you can pop a famous quote inside your card to make your recipient’s day:

  1. “The best of healers is good cheer.” – Pindus
  2. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
  3. “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” – Hubert Humphrey
  4. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
  5. “This too shall pass.” – Persian Sufi Poets
  6. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect quote, pick up one of our traditional get well soon cards and jot it down inside.  

Sweet get well wishes after surgery

Surgery is a big deal, so the least you can do is send a sweet card featuring a little message applauding them for their bravery. So, if you know someone who’s recently undergone an operation, take inspiration from the below ideas: 

  1. Glad to hear your surgery went well. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
  2. Everyone is so proud of you and sending all their love and best wishes your way.
  3. Heard the surgery went just as planned which made my day. I hope you feel better and get back to your fabulous self soon.
  4. Cheering you on while you’re recovering! We’re all here if you need anything at all.
  5. Once you’re up for it, I’ll treat you to a meal at your favourite place, you deserve it. Get well soon!
  6. Look at you go! You’ve made it through the hardest part, sending positive vibes your way.
  7. Well done you absolute warrior! Can’t wait to give you a big hug.

Now you’re clued up on what to write in a get well card, just choose your favourite from the above wishes and get writing! For more ideas on what to write, such as what to write in a thinking of you card, head on over to the thortful blog. You can also check out our top tips for getting through tough times, perfect for sending to someone who’s been struggling.

Finally, why not send a little gift with your card for a guaranteed smile? For inspiration, have a read of our guide on gifts to cheer someone up!