Part 6: How to remember special occasions

I thought I would write a series called "Keeper of the home for busy ladies", in particular for those, like me, who work outside the house either full-time or part-time.  However, we are all busy ladies and we all need as much encouragement as possible to get through the week in one piece. 

Part one, two, three, four, five

Part 6: How to remember special occasions

I am not sure about you, but running a home, supporting my husband, caring for my sons and going off to work each day is plenty enough - but I also have to remember birthdays and other special occasions. If I don't, no one in the house will. 

To help with this task I have a number of strategies -- they save time and make my life a little less hectic. I am not perfect at this and at times cards and gifts arrive late, but generally this works:

• Have a comprehensive list of birthdays and anniversaries - I have this on my fridge calendar and one on my smart phone (there are a number of Apps for smart phones that make the job much easier - mine reminds me 2 weeks in advance and I include the age of the person so I don't need to remember).

• Organise as many cards at the beginning of the year as possible. I like to include the address on the envelope and even the stamp. This all saves time later in the year. If you are sick or an emergency arises, you are already a step ahead and it makes it easier if someone else needs to help.

• During quiet periods make some cards to send to those special people in your life. I often do this over the summer holidays or on a winters evenings.

• Write a list of all the gifts you will need to buy in the year and start to purchase them early, rather than running about at the last minute trying to find what you want.  This only creates stress.

• Have some little gifts at home ready for people who might pop in, I have some homemade jams (even my son gives these to his friends!!) that I like to give to visitors. 

• Buy some little note books (with encouraging bible verses), stickers, bible verse cards, book marks etc.. so you can include them in a get well card or a cheer up card. These are also great to send to children.

• If you plan to make your own gifts, give yourself plenty of time - they generally take far longer than you anticipated.

The card I made for my future daughter-in-law

• Have a stash of cards at home (I generally buy them from the $1 store) that can be used for special occasions, thank yous, new babies, deaths or just to send to a friend that cheer them up. This means you don't need to dash off to the store to buy a card. I top up this collection whenever I am passing the $1 store. 

• Have wrapping paper on hand - another time saver. I buy mine from the $$ store which is heaps cheaper than the news agency.

• If you are short of time at home, write some cards or letters during your lunch. I have a lovely garden to sit in at work, a perfect spot for letter writing. 

• Send a text message of support or encouragement to a friend or family member - this is a quick way of communication and can be just as good as snail mail.

• If you plan to go out for dinner or lunch eg Mother Day or an anniversary -- be organised and book in advance. Even think about what you are going to wear - all saves time and limits stress.

And don't panic if a card is late (avoid stressing) . . . that is why we have "belated" cards.

Just because you are a working mum and wife (or just a busy woman) doesn't mean you don't have time to send cards and gifts to people.  It can be done with a little organisational skill. And part of being an older woman is encouraging younger women and this can involve sending letters and cards - even busy ladies can do this.

Don't leave things to last moment.

Plan ahead and everything is possible.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tougue is the law of kindness. (Prov 31:26)