Remembering Birthdays and Special Occasions
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
United States
January 20, 2008 8:16pm CST
Every year I make a calendar for my family members that lists all of our birthdays and anniversaries. This is something I have done for about 5 years. The gift is greatly appreciated by everyone.
Being the one to make the calendar, you would assume that I would be the one to remember everyone's birthdays and anniversaries and send cards to everyone that is listed on the calendar. So wrong. Occasionally I would start the year off by sending out birthday cards to my brothers. One falls on the 20th and the other on the 24th. Sometimes I would skip a month or two. Last year I believe I managed to get out maybe 3 cards. I come from a huge family so only sending out 3 cards is very pitiful.
This year I challenged myself. I purchased all of my cards for January. So I wouldn't put a pinch on my wallet, I bought them at the Dollar Store. They cost 2 for a $1.00! Good bargain. I got all of the 4 birthday cards in the mail last week. I have the first week in February birthdays lined up.
I have to go to the dollar store to pick up the rest of my February cards and get them ready for mailing. It feels good to be ahead of the game. No more guilty feelings for not sending out a card...just happy thoughts.
Do you plan your card purchases ahead of time? Do you send out birthday or anniversary greetings?
6 people like this
14 responses
@GardenGerty (157671)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I am awful about that, and you have just reminded me that this week is my Dad's birthday. I will probably send him a photo of my hubby and I and a card of some kind. I can get it done tomorrow, as I am taking part of the day off for more dental work. What a time to remember. My dad will be 76 this year.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I am happy that I got you to remember your Dad's birthday! I was so terrible at remembering these special days.
Dental work! Yuck. That isn't how I would want to spend time off from work!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157671)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I am actually looking forward to the dental work,it is the bill that distresses me. I would love to find a way to be off work without an appointment.
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I'm really bad about sending out birthday cards, but like you, I try to buy cards ahead of time. I just forget to mail them when I'm supposed to. I usually end up calling and wishing a happy birthday on the phone. I don't feel too bad about it, because they always forget my birthday too. There are a few people, like my very best friends and my close family who I never forget,and I will go out of my way to get their card to them in person, if I have to.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I usually remember my sister's birthday. Last year I bought her card on the day of her birthday. It took me another week to get the card and her gift to her.
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
22 Jan 08
Hee hee- funny you mention this. I just went to the dollar store on Sunday and stocked up on cards. I paid the same price you did- 2 for $1.00. I stocked up on a lot of kids birthday cards, because my kids are constantly getting invited to birthday parties. I also bought some really nice Hallmark cards from the Hallmark store on clearance a few months back, so I have lots of good cards that I paid 50 cents each for. I'm a card person so I enjoy picking out cards. You should see the stash of Christmas cards I have for next year!
1 person likes this
@bettyrose20 (997)
• Philippines
22 Jan 08
with the advance of science and technologies nowadays, where textmessaging and emailing is a common sight, greeting a family member or a friend on his/her birthday or anniversaries became easy..my cp's calenday feature is full of each and everyone's on my family and circle of friends' bdays, so i just text them or call them when the alarm goes on.
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
22 Jan 08
i happen to be very bad at keeping dates in my head so i use my phone reminder service and its been very useful i hardly look on the calendar on the wall or have to ask what date any of my friends or family"s birthday falls on,my ohone alerts me once it is 2 days to the day and it keeps reminding me till its that day .isnt that wonderful?
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 08
I am quite the boy scout or wolf cub! As I have a good supply of cards, both Birthday, Christmas and even get well soon cards, there is a wonderful card shop near where I live that sells great quality cards at very reasonable prices. As I get a new diary at the beginning of the year I transfer all the dates over to my new diary so I don't forget anyone. I think it's the thought that counts, rather than the card itself. March is a very busy month for me and all the birthdays come at once! Not that synchronized LOL. I don't forget anyone, I don't get them all in return but it doesn't worry me now, I enjoy choosing and sending them!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
21 Jan 08
Hello ElusiveButterfly,
First, I wanted to let you know that I think it's a fabulous idea to gift your family members with pre-noted calendars. That's terrifically thoughtful of you! And if you mind, I'd like to steal that idea from you.
Like you, I purchase cards ahead of time. Although, by the time a special date comes around, I still sometimes forget to mail the card out on time. Oh well, better late than never, eh?
Most of my shopping excursions are rather hurried. Though when I can shop at a more leisurely pace, I'll make a point to remember special dates for the next two to three months. Then I'll pick out a bunch of cards that are really humorous, or particularly sweet, and stash them in my card box until it's time to mail them out. Though, I like your idea of doing it monthly instead. I may be less inclined to be forgetful as the date approaches.
Great ideas, Elusive!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
24 Jan 08
This sounds very organised. I also come from a big family, well, on my husbands side, not mine. It is real pain remembering birthdays. My mother-in-law is probably the only one who keeps an accurate record. I have been meaning to ring her & copy down the list.
I have a box of pretty blank cards that someone once gave me. It has saved me a lot of money on cards for awhile, since most of the cards are suitable for female birthdays & mothers day. For men, I have to buy cards. Usually I go to the discount store where they are 70c or $1.00. The problem is that often the mens cards are pathetic. So I then buy a blank card. There are some great ones with animal pictures.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
21 Jan 08
Hello dear elusive butterfly. I cannot help saying that you are very considerate and thoughtful to your family member and friends to make those calendars each year so that you won't forget all of those very important events. I am sure that all of them are very appreciated with your being so considerate and thoughtful to them when they receive the gifts and birthday cards. I think that this is a very good idea and I must learn from you, trying to be as well-organized as you. Thank you very much for the helpful discussion, dear friend.
1 person likes this
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I do send cards out for birthdays and anniversaries I just feel like my family and friends or worth getting a card on thier special day and hope it makes them feel special. believe this or not but I go to the Dollar Store too, I go the first of the month to get cards for everyone that has a special occasion in that month. My family is not huge but there is something in every month. Have a great day!
1 person likes this
@Buttercup26 (164)
• India
21 Jan 08
I do not plan my card purchases ahead of time . I remember birthdays and anniversary dates of only my family members or close friends. I pick up a card couple of days or about 4 days before the occassion and either give it in person or post it to them.
1 person likes this
