I like easy; no I really love easy and anything that makes life that little more “easy” is fine by me.

Firstly, empty a drawer, box or instead of throwing out that shoe box keep it. Why? So you can put things in it of course.

Next fish out an empty note book so you can write stuff.

Finally, for this part, of making things easy, find your diary. On your phone maybe or that fancy one a friend bought you for Christmas that sits in the cupboard unloved.

Most of us have friends and or family that we like to send things to but often forget when the date is and when we do remember we don’t have a card let alone a gift. So how can we avoid this?

1. Write the anniversary in your diary for that date and what it is. Then make a list in your note pad under a selection of headings. Birthday, Christmas, Wedding, Christening, Driving test etc as fits your needs.
2. Mark down on your list card, card and gift, phone call or how you want to mark the anniversary.
3. Once you have listed everything there should be  a clear pattern of who and where gets what and when. Brilliiant :- )

Now you have a clear of how many cards you need, gifts to buy and this is where the box comes in.

When you see cards on days out buy them and then add them to your box. New Year sales and market stalls are fantastic and can save you money. Blank ones are good for adapting to any occasion, oh and buy a load of stamps and keep in this box too. I buy 20 each month and just add them to my stock so I have plenty for Christmas.

Once you have a good choice and selection of cards you can begin to make certain events easy. Christmas always sees one having to write cards galore. However, by dipping into you stash you can eliminate this chore. For example if you have 120 cards to write (apart from very close family) then write two or three each week or ten a month and then add these to a Christmas file ready to send nearer the time.

The same can be done with gifts. I constantly hear family and friends remarking on the lack of this, that or the other or a desire for certain things. Jot them down and when out and about if you see something suitable buy it and put it away or wrap it and label it for the time when its needed. Firstly, this spreads the cost, secondly, it can save money as things out of season are often cheaper and thirdly, it cuts down of trying to find the time when things are already getting busier. Online shopping can save even more time, money and effort.Just remember to note down what is in the wrapping so you know what you have and for who.

So now when someone says “hey, its a friend’s birthday” or “did you know Dave has won a new job?” you can relax and dip into that box, find something suitable and send it without having to scrabble around, rush to the shops or not bother.