Create and Organize a Greeting Card List for the Year

Have you ever forgotten someone’s birthday or anniversary? It is so easy to forget birthdays and other dates during the year (which I have done plenty of times). It is truly embarrassing, so it was imperative for me to create and organize a greeting card list for the year. 

I mail and hand out a lot of greeting cards throughout the year. There are expected annual celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. On the other hand, there are unexpected events that require sympathy, get well, and thinking of you cards.  Having a yearly greeting card list has helped me tremendously. Grab your free yearly greeting card list and the greeting card bundle here.

There are many components to creating an organized greeting card list. Here is a blank list and listed below is each component with more detail.

Date

First, I include the date of the birthday or anniversary. This is not the mailing date, but the actual date of the event.

Recipient

Second, I write the name of the person.

Relationship

Third, I list the relationship of this person to me (or my family). 

Occasion

Next, I write the occasion or reason I am giving this recipient a greeting card. 

In addition to the occasion I put in parenthesis how old they are for a birthday or how many years it has been for an anniversary. I like to track these stats so I can get a specific card on special years and because I just like to know this information. 

Delivery

Lastly, I like to note how the card got delivered to the recipient. Did I mail the greeting card – which means I used a stamp. This helps me track how many stamps I need to purchase throughout the year.

On the flip side, did I hand off the greeting card. Handing the card off doesn’t necessarily mean I physically give the person the card myself. It could mean I gave the card to someone else to hand to them. Also, it could mean that I set the hard somewhere for them like on their desk or in a card box at their wedding or party. 

Other Events Happening

Towards the bottom of the page I have an area to record any special events that require a greeting card that year. In addition, I have an area below that to record any special events happening the next year that I know of. This helps me when it comes time to buy cards and for when I update the list for the following year.

Here is a sample so you can see a complete greeting card list. 

Updating Your Greeting Card List

Each November/December I create my greeting card list for the following year. Creating the list took the most time, updating it does not take long. 

For birthdays I add any additions to the family. This could be a baby or if someone got married and I need to add their spouse. If someone got married and I need to give an anniversary card, I add that in as well. 

In addition, I change the number by everyone for their birthday and anniversary.

Next from my greeting card list I delete anyone who unfortunately passed away that year or if someone got a divorce, etc.

Besides the annual cards, I also update and organize my greeting card list with any special events that may be happening the next year. This could include weddings, showers, graduations, and retirements. I look at my previous year’s list and add any events I had noted on the “Next Year Events” section.

Buying Greeting Cards

With an organized greeting card list I am able to plan ahead and buy cards in bulk. I usually shop for cards once or twice a year. *I get all my cards at the dollar store because they are 2 for 1 dollar.  It is nice to not have to run to the store every time I need a greeting card. 

Before I do my card shopping I take a look through my card box and categories. I write down any cards that I am out of or are low on. Birthdays and anniversaries are predictable, while sympathy and thinking of your cards are not. So I usually err on the side of caution and get more of these types of cards to make sure I have enough. 

I have found I am more likely to give cards when I have them already than if I were to have to run out and grab one. 

How to Organize Your Greeting Cards

Next, when I buy a group of cards I place them in their appropriate category in my card box. You can purchase a greeting card box or make your own. I did a combination of both. I started by purchasing a greeting card box but then added some of my own card categories in the box.

Greeting Card Categories

First, I separate my categories by people like the following:

• Mom
• Dad
• Sister
• Brother
• Grandparents
• Aunt/Uncle
• Niece/Nephew

Usually in these categories I place specific birthday cards, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day cards. For example, my sister’s birthday card goes under the sister tab. A mother’s day card to my kids’ grandma (my mom) goes under the grandparents tab.

In addition, I seperate my categories by events like the following:

• Anniversaries
• Baby/Shower
• General Birthdays
• Holidays 
• Sympathy
• Thinking of You
• Get Well
• Wedding/Engagement/Shower
• Graduation/Retirement/Housewarming
• Thank you
• Teacher Appreciation

Start planning ahead and organize a greeting card list for the year. Scroll to the bottom of this post to get your free greeting card list printable and begin today!

Gather Cards for the List

Once I have all the correct cards, I place the cards in order so they are all ready to go when I need them. I don’t like to fill out the card until a month or less before mailing or delivering it in case I would want to change my words for any reason. For more on what to write in a greeting card click here.

I also do not fill out the envelope until a week or two before as I do not always know if I will be mailing the greeting card or seeing the person and handing it to them. I may think I have to mail it but then plans change and I end up seeing the person. So I wait until the day I mail the card to put a stamp on it so I do not waste any stamps.

Final Thoughts on How to Create and Organize a Greeting Card List for the Year

There are many events and celebrations that need greeting cards throughout the year. It is difficult to keep track of them all. So create and organize a greeting card list to help you stay on track and not forget anyone or anything coming up. To help you get organized, try using my free greeting card list template below. Bonus: It comes with 3 greeting card cheat sheets to use on future cards.