Alternative birthday cards to send directly to loved ones

These chocolate cards are available for a range of ages, with different card designs to choose from that you personalise by name and with your own message inside. 

The accompanying chocolate is made by Edinburgh chocolatiers, and you can choose from selection of flavours, including Garden Mint Fudge Crunch, Salted Caramel and Toffee Crunch and Very Berry Eton Mess.

YummyCard sends homemade letterbox-shaped cake slices, with a range of card designs to choose from and your own message printed inside. Imagine the surprise of opening the slim box that falls through your letterbox and finding a delicious slice of chocolate or vanilla sponge cake inside. Each of the four cake options can be paired with any of the accompanying card designs.

Send these Matchbox birthday wishes direct to a loved one. There's one for each month's birth stone, with character traits written underneath, and even a little candle that pops out and fits in the top ready to be lit.

The matchbox isn't personalisable, but for £2 extra you can get a gift bag and tag with your personal message, so they'll know who it's from. 

You can also send these delicate and pretty birth flower matchboxes for every month, with real seeds in a teeny tiny jar. They come the same sweet candle for your loved one to blow out with their birthday wish.

Marvling Bros has a whole host of other sweet matchbox birthday cards, including this pretty 'World is your Oyster' freshwater pearl for 21 and 16 year olds. They can be sent direct, and with a personalised message if you choose the gift card option for and extra £7. 

This super cute birthday biscuit, hand-iced by the Biscuiteers, comes in pink or blue and will be piped with their name and sent in a beautifully illustrated gift box.

Available in three skin tones, each paper hug features this poem:

“I wish I wasn't so far away, it really isn't fair, I just want to be there for you, because I really care. So take this little mini hug, and wrap it round yourself real tight... And the next time that I see you, I’ll squeeze you with all my might!” 

The makers are happy to fill out the To and From spaces for you if you wish to send direct.

Why not send craft lovers a card to make themselves? This mini cross stitch kit lets them sew their own birthday 'cake'. You can add an optional gift bag and gift tag with message for an extra £2.

You can choose your own message with these birthday choccies, but what makes them more special is the photo you can add to the box. Pick your favourite picture together and the company will print it out and include in the box for. Best of all, it even slides out for them to keep.

More letterbox biscuit options from the Biscuiteers, and these ones are perfect for them to share with their household. Only if they want to, of course!

You can to have whatever you want written on the backdrop and the boat's flag with this card, which is a cute 3D option perfect for dads. It even doubles up as a mini piece of art for them to display.