A proposed birthday reminder system combines yearly calendar events with scheduled alerts to organize greetings and gift preparation. The approach covers birthdays and anniversaries, with reminders attached to each date and an additional preparation window when a gift is planned.
The workflow begins with a suggested list of 15–30 people whose important dates the calendar owner wants to track. It includes close personal relationships and important professional contacts. The size of the list is a suggested starting point for the setup.
The method suggests checking contact records or old text threads for dates. Facebook and LinkedIn are also suggested places to look. When a date cannot be found, the alternative is to ask the person directly, explaining that the aim is to keep better track of important dates.
Annual events and advance reminders
Each birthday or anniversary is entered as a yearly recurring calendar event. The proposed reminder schedule separates prompts around the occasion from earlier gift preparation:
- A reminder at 8 p.m. the night before.
- A reminder at 8 a.m. on the day itself.
- An additional reminder two weeks before, when a gift is planned.
The evening alert is paired with an optional early birthday message. The morning alert provides another prompt on the birthday itself. Both timings are suggested parts of the workflow.
The two-week reminder is intended to leave time for gift preparation before the occasion:
- Ordering and shipping a gift.
- Writing a card.
- Planning something for the recipient.
That advance alert applies to people receiving gifts, adding preparation time alongside the reminders associated with the date.