Never miss a birthday: cards and gifts made easy
Birthdays are easy to love and easy to forget. A little planning means the card is posted on time and the gift suits the person, without the last-minute rush.
Remember them in the first place
- Keep one list of birthdays with the person's name, date and a note about what they like.
- Add a reminder a week ahead for people you post to, and a few days ahead for people you see in person.
- Add milestone birthdays (18, 21, 30, 40, 50 and so on), because they deserve a bit more thought.
Choosing a card
- Allow for delivery time. Personalised cards sent from an online service need a few days, so order early. Check the cut-off dates on the site.
- Think about who it is for. A handwritten message goes a long way with relatives, and a short funny card suits friends.
- Buy a few spare cards in advance so there is always one to hand.
Choosing a gift
- Listen through the year. Jot down things people mention they want or need.
- Set a budget first. It keeps choices easy and avoids overspending.
- Consider experiences and consumables such as a meal, a day out, or good food, especially for people who already have plenty.
- For children, check the age range on toys and any safety information.
- Keep the receipt or note the returns policy for anything that might not fit.
A simple routine
- Reminder pops up a week before.
- Pick a card and a gift idea from your notes.
- Order or buy, and post early.
- Tick it off, and add anything you learned for next year.
The InYourHands birthday list holds names, dates and notes, and reminds you in good time. Try it free on the web.
About these guides. They are general information for people in the UK, not financial, legal or regulated advice. Prices, rules and providers change, so check official sources and the provider's own terms before you decide. Some links to other companies may in future earn KWE a commission if you choose to use them. That never changes what we write, and we only link to services we think are useful. KWE also makes the InYourHands app, which helps you keep track of dates like these.