The Art of Friendship: My PlumLife Calendar

Acknowledging the special occasions of our friends and relatives can feel like a part time job if one is lucky enough to have lots of friends and relatives (that you like).  While I love purusing cards at gift shops and stores, finding the right card can sometimes be a challenge. I have been trying a new system recently which seems to be working well.

First, I keep a calendar on my PlumLife which is specifically for Birthdays/Friends.  I enter a recurring annual event for birthdays and some anniversaries.  I also use this calendar to record when my close friends are traveling or are having surgery or other life events that I want to try and remember.

At the end of each month, I consult the upcoming month and set up email delivery for a card.  I have found a card site, Cocodot.com,  that has attractive card stock to select – some with messages and others without.  I have chosen one card which I use for all birthdays this year.  (Next year, I’ll choose another.)  I have collected funny quotes (from other cards, the internet, books and magazines) that relate to birthdays and have saved them on a sticky note on my computer.  I select one that works for all recipients and add the quote/message to the card.  Then, I can personalize the email with the specific message to each person.

On Cocodot, you can schedule each card to go out on the appropriate date and time.  I choose 5am on the birthday so it is not too buried in junk emails when the recipient consults their inbox in the morning.

I could get REALLY over organized and set the card delivery for the whole year, but, then I worry that if I add someone new, I’ll forget to send the card!  So, I’ve compromised between over organized and forgetful and hope that the monthly approach continues to be effective for me. 

If I have forgotten your special occasion, please let me know so I can make sure it is recorded on my PlumLife Birthday/Friends Calendar!