I’ve already flipped my perpetual calendar to October so I can spot all the birthdays coming up this month (and November too!).

Let’s be honest—I’m not always super organized, but I do make it a point to send thoughtful gifts, cards, and sweet notes whenever I can. Whether it’s for a birthday or just celebrating life, I’ve got a stash of cute, practical, and thoughtful gifts ready to go. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I had to run to the store or panic-order something from Amazon, all thanks to my little system!

At the start of each month, I sit down with my family, and we pick out cards and gifts for the people we love. It’s something we’ve done for years, and now my kids are the ones telling me when they want to send a card—usually just because!

Gift-giving and card-sending hurdles:

Busy Schedules: Life can get hectic, and with work, kids, and daily responsibilities, it’s easy to forget or run out of time to pick out and send cards or gifts.

Lack of Organization: Not having a system in place to remember birthdays or special occasions can make it hard to keep track of when to send something thoughtful.
Cost Concerns: Sending cards and gifts regularly can add up, and some people may worry about the expense, especially if they have a lot of people to celebrate.
Digital Overload: In a world of instant communication (texts, emails, social media), people might feel that sending physical cards or gifts is less necessary or relevant, even though it can be more meaningful.

Rhythms to remedy the hurdles:

1. Busy Schedules try this: Set a monthly "card & gift prep" time where you carve out a dedicated time each month (like the beginning of the month) to sit down and prepare cards or gifts for upcoming birthdays and occasions. Make it a fun, family activity, and block the time on your calendar so it becomes a non-negotiable.

2. Lack of Organization try this: Use a perpetual calendar and/or digital reminder system to keep track of birthdays and special dates. You can even pre-purchase cards and gifts for the month in one go, so you’re ready when the date comes around.

3. Cost Concerns try this: Build a gift stash throughout the year by purchasing thoughtful, practical gifts during sales or when you come across something special. Keep them in a "gift box" so you always have something on hand. This way, you can spread out the cost and avoid last-minute expensive purchases.

4. Digital Overload try this: Set a goal to send at least one physical card or gift each month. Schedule "just because" moments to send a handwritten note or small gift in the mail, even for no special reason. These gestures stand out in a digital world and help maintain a personal connection.

I love curating gifts from other small businesses I admire, along with goodies from give with joy and some unique thrifted finds. By establishing these simple routines, sending cards and gifts becomes more intentional, enjoyable, and stress-free!