I don't travel as much as many of you, but my husband does and so that impacts my free time as well. I found that I was forgetting lots of important birthdays, anniversaries, etc. til the last minute, and then it was too late. Although I have sent e-cards, I kind of find them a bit less personal and a poor replacement for an actual card or note.

To solve this problem, I went to www.crane.com . They have a great selection of high quality cards and stationery. I especially like their clearance section (all half price). Their shipping is free on orders over $75.

I stocked up on tons of boxes of beautiful notecards. Even the cards they have under "invitations" work beautifully as a replacement for a typical birthday card.

I had them in my possession within 3 days after ordering (they are a SkyMiles Shopping member as well so I even got miles for it).

Now, on the first of every month, I go over my calendar for the month, write out the cards with a nice note, stamp them and get them out immediately. I also check the calendar for the first few days of the next month, so as not to miss anyone born on Dec 1, for instance.

I always have to have pretty stamps (flag stamps only go to the electric company), beautiful return labels from www.colorfulimages.com , and stickers on the back seal (quirky, I know, but my notes look pretty!)

Additionally, I always keep a ten pack of stamps in both my rollaboard and my carryon, in case something last minute comes up while I am traveling.

You can also get some really attractive note cards at TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Home Goods if those stores are in your area.