> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.doozy.live/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Birthday Celebrations

> Automatically celebrate birthdays with announcements, digital cards, and manager notifications.

<Info>
  We recommend [connecting your HRIS](/integrations/how-to-connect-my-hris) to sync birthday dates automatically.
</Info>

Never miss a birthday again! Doozy automatically announces birthdays in your chosen channel, sends digital cards for your team to sign, and notifies managers ahead of time.

## 🚀 Getting Started

1. Go to [doozy.live/app](https://doozy.live/app) and open **Celebrations**
2. Set up a new **Birthdays** celebration
3. Configure your settings (see below)
4. Save to start celebrating 🚀

## ⚙️ Configuration

### Channel & Timing

| Setting       | Description                                                              |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Channel**   | Which Slack channel to post birthday announcements                       |
| **Time**      | What time of day to post (in your local timezone)                        |
| **Frequency** | **On the day** (Friday if weekend) or **Start of week** (Monday roundup) |

### Message Customization

Personalize your birthday announcements:

* **Individual message template**: Customize the message for each person being celebrated
  * Available variables: `{{name}}` (mentions the person), `{{date}}` (Today or the day of their birthday)
* **Footer message**: Optional message shown once at the bottom of all announcements
* **Preview**: Click "👀 Preview message" to see how it will look

### Notifications

| Setting                        | Description                                                                         |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Announce in channel**        | Post the celebration publicly in your chosen channel                                |
| **Notify managers**            | Privately alert managers ahead of their team's upcoming birthdays *(requires HRIS)* |
| **Notify managers on the day** | Also alert managers on the celebration day itself                                   |
| **Other users to notify**      | Additional people to privately notify (e.g., the People Team)                       |

### Other settings

| Setting                  | Description                                                     |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Include birthday GIF** | Add a fun GIF to announcements                                  |
| **Post as**              | Have announcements come from a specific person instead of Doozy |

### Birthday Cards

Digital cards your team can sign with messages, images, GIFs, YouTube videos, and more!

| Setting                   | Options                    | Description                                |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Include birthday card** | Yes / No                   | Create a digital card for the team to sign |
| **Who should sign**       | Everyone / Managers / None | Who gets asked to add their message        |

## 📅 How It Works

1. **A week before**: Managers (and selected users) are notified about the upcoming birthday
2. **Card sharing**: Notified users can share the digital card with others to sign
3. **On the day**: Birthday is announced in your chosen channel with the signed card
4. **Team participation**: Everyone can add their message if they haven't already

<Tip>
  Connect your HRIS to automatically sync birthday dates and enable manager notifications!
</Tip>

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

**Why wasn't someone's birthday posted?**

* Check that their birthday is recorded in Doozy
* Verify they haven't opted out of birthday celebrations
* Ensure they're a member of the celebrations channel in Slack

**How do I update someone's birthday?**

* If connected to an HRIS, update it in your HR system and it will sync automatically
* Otherwise, update the date from **Celebrations** in the Doozy dashboard - see [Manage Celebrations](/celebrations/manage-celebrations)

## ⭐ Best Practices

1. **Connect your HRIS** - Auto-sync dates and enable manager notifications
2. **Choose a visible channel** - Use a general or company-wide channel
3. **Customize your message** - Make it feel personal with template variables
4. **Enable cards** - Digital cards make celebrations more meaningful
5. **Notify managers early** - Gives them time to prepare something special

## 🔗 Related

* [Work Anniversary Celebrations](/celebrations/anniversaries) - Celebrate work anniversaries automatically
* [Manage Celebrations](/celebrations/manage-celebrations) - Edit and manage active celebrations
* [Connect your HRIS](/integrations/how-to-connect-my-hris) - Sync employee data automatically