Creating A New Tradition for Holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries and More

Aviva and I have been friends for 30 years. After we became parents, we discovered no matter how well intentioned, we forgot birthdays, didn't remember anniversaries and holiday shopping, well, that sometimes got screwed up too. Not because we didn't care, but because our mommy brains just didn't always engage on time, so we'd end up doing everything after the fact.
Given the guilt these bouts of partialheimers (we're too young yet for Altzheimers) were creating, Aviva and I came up with a different strategy. It works for us and I'll share it with you just in case, you are a member of our lost brain warped brethren. I'm talkin' about.... "The Annual Box".

Aviva and I each get a large empty box. During the course of the year, we fill the box up as we find items for each other, our kids, spouses, and even pets. When the box is full, we mail it. Sometimes the annual box will arrive during the winter holiday season, sometimes it arrives as the leaves are changing, it has arrived on a lazy day of summer and it has popped up in the Spring. Our families look forward to "The Annual Box". They know it represents all of the special events occurring thru the year, and it has become a much loved tradition. Not knowing when "The Annual Box" will show up, adds to the fun.

Another plus to thinking INSIDE "The Annual Box" is being able to take advantage of the post holiday sales and end of season sales. We've been able to give each other some fabulous gifts at a fraction of the cost!