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Tuesday

Staying Sane With Birthday Cards

Know what stinks?
Forgetting a birthday.
Or ... knowing that the birthday card you are sending will defintely not make it to the recipient in time.

I was getting so tired of doing the last-minute scramble to the drugstore to pick out a card and then pray to the US Postal Service gods that it would miraculously get dropped in a box meant for overnight airmail.

This year, I took the bull by the horns and developed a pretty darn fool-proof way to ensure that I never miss a birthday.


Step 1: I write down birthdays of family members and friends by month.  For example, under October, it will say: Ashley - 4, Ian - 15. 

This list comes with me to the store.  For the record, I am a big fan of the dolla-dolla (my pet name for Dollar Tree) for cards.  They have really amped up their card selection, and they are only $0.50 each.  And I'm a firm believer in the fact that it's moreso about what is written IN the card than how much it cost.  Boom.

So yes, I go ahead and buy all of the cards that I will need for the entire year, and I always throw in a few generic cards too that I keep in my desk drawer at work.  I end up with about 20 cards for $10 -- not bad considering I'd typically been spending $4-5 for each card previously.


Step 2: Grab your handy dandy day planner.  Yes, mine is slightly busting at the seams, and I'm okay with that.  It's organized chaos.


Step 3: Using your list of birthdays by month, paperclip each recipient's intended birthday card on the page of the week when you need to mail the card (I usually pick a day about 5-6 days prior to the birthday, keeping in mind national holidays when the P.O. might be closed).



Step 4: Each week that you flip the page, if there is a card clipped there, immediately write a thoughtful note to the birthday guy or gal, address it, stamp it, and slip it in the mail.  I also keep stamps in my day planner, making it that much easier to get the card in the mail in a timely fashion.


This trick has saved me so much time and panic!

I also like to go ahead and purchase a few other types of cards: engagement congratulations (because I remember how much fun it is to receive a card right after you say YES!), sympathy, and baby cards -- some gender-specific, some gender-generic.  I also like having anniversary cards to send for a couple's first wedding anniversary.

*****

P.S.
While we are on the topic of birthdays --
The other night for the Bachelorette finale, I wanted to whip up a quick sweet treat for Ian and myself.  I just placed some softened vanilla ice cream in a small smoothie-sized blender with some dry yellow cake mix.  Topped with sprinkles, it tasted just like Coldstone's cake batter ice cream!

26 comments:

  1. Card orgnaization. Genius. Homemade cake batter. Even more genius. Can I come live with you??

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  2. That is exactly what I started doing for birthdays and anniversaries. It makes everything so much easier and now I never miss birthdays! xx

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  3. GREAT idea! I also like Dollar Tree for cards. It seems stupid to me to pay $4 for a card that serves the exact same purpose as a $.50 one!

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  4. Great trick w/ cake batter - I will have to try that!!

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  5. Such a great idea. I am always rushing out to get cards! I need to remember to use this trick next time I go to the Dollar Store!

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  6. Love that you call it dolla dolla. I need to. Heck out their card selection ASAP. Your tips are great!

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  7. What a great idea! I do love me some dolla dolla finds! I like to buy the card box from Costo, which comes with all types of cards for many different occasions! :)

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  8. SO smart...I hate to admit it but I am definitely the birthday card delinquent among my friends and family. Never again!

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  9. This is such a great idea! I think my mom actually had something like this a few years ago. I'm way behing on blog reading. I love your new hutch!!! And the maxi skirt you got at old navy--I got a blue and white one at target just like it. Cute!!

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  10. Great idea! I'm definitely stealing this idea for myself! Also, genius move on the cake batter ice cream!

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  11. What an awesome blog post. Those organizational details can really add up to some saved time later, so thank you for the wonderful tips!

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  12. You should start charging for these ideas!! Or start a book, seriously! Birthday cards made easy AND cake batter ice cream....?! Genius!

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  13. I love this idea! You are so full of great organization ideas. I'm definitely stealing this one ;)

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  14. what a fabulous idea! Will totally be looking over my birthday calendar now.

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  15. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR on those cake batter treats! Who would have thought... that's AWESOME! It's pretty sad how excited I am about those. PS-love your organizer!

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  16. The Birthday card idea...good. The Birthday cake idea...bad, very bad! I'm going to need to make this asap!

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  17. That is such a good idea!!! :)) New follower!

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  18. i am LOVING this post...what a fun idea to stay ahead of the game!!! i'm going to have to jump on the bday card train for sure thanks to this post ;)

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  19. you are so clever, my friend. and holy cow - those lil cake batter ice cream treats look unbelievably delicious!!

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  20. This post was great- love the bday card idea and the sweet treat- brilliant!

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  21. The dolla-dolla? Made my day!

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  22. Love the card idea!!! I seem to go through cycles of remembering/forgetting and then feeling bad. And, that cake batter ice cream....bet that made the finale that much sweeter!!!

    xoxo Elizabeth
    ps: Very intrigued about the sausage and grapes. That's a combo I never would have thought of. But, I always trust Ina! :)

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  23. I have a few cards on hand... but you have now inspired me to stock up!

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  24. Stunning dies, colours and soooo pretty! This is very beautiful.Have a great day buddy,
    Plastic card Printing

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