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Help! X-Mas pressie - Old-style Year Planner

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Hi all

I've decided to make an old-style year planner for a dear but disorganised friend who is newly single and can't load a dishwasher to save his life :) I got the idea from an old weekly magazine which had gardners advice corner, like "Prepare beds now and loosen soil with a fork" etc

Basically, I'm going to start it off in Excel then closer to x-mas, maybe buy a 2006 week/day planner and fill it in with things to do for each day/week. Or one of those monthly / weekly calender things.

So you'd end up with entries on random days: 1st January 2006 - Relax, and get over your hangover. Followed by some old-style hangover cures. 1st Feb - Two weeks to really knock her socks off, what are you doing for valentines ? Maybe week beginning 1st March - Plant daffodils and week beginning 31st March - Last chance to plant daffodils.

Was also thinking of weekly household chores planning as he's hopeless and seems to leave everything till last minute! For instance, each day of week list some chores like Saturday - Laundry day Tip: Use vinegar to soften clothes. Sunday - How clean is your fridge ? Use bicarbonate of soda to keep your fridge smelling fresh.

Am I making any sense ? lol I hope it doesnt sound condescending :o but was thinking it would be dipped into rather than followed religiously. Its a big project so I wanted to get started early and hopefully produce something that will be full of clippings, advice and be a keeper!
"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings" - Hodding Carter

:A ~~~ S
pread some good Karma ~~~ :A
«13

Comments

  • What a fab idea :D Maybe we could flag this up to Martin for an official MSE OS calendar to raise charity money (if you don't mind us nicking your idea Bolton)

    OK, in no particular order and with dates as suitable, what about:

    (for suitable summer date) put summer weight duvet on and take winter duvet/pillows to launderette if needed.

    eg on every 4th saturday morning, list a 'bigger' chore like move beds/bedside tables etc and vac behind.

    every 2 tuesday evening - dust skirting boards (we all know men think they clean themselves) remind him to buy suitable longer handled duster to save having to crawl around the floor on your knees:)

    1st saturday in November - defrost fridge and freezer, make a note of food and use up so that Xmas stocks can be bought appropriately.

    I'll keep thinking....
  • Bogof_Babe
    Bogof_Babe Posts: 10,803 Forumite
    It's great that you are prepared to take your friend under your wing, so to speak, but a word of caution, don't appear to be trying to take over his life. You don't say what age he is, or what his circumstances are, but most newly single blokes would, I suspect, be revelling in the freedom from "all that". Why is he now single? Was he in a bad marriage, or just flitting between relationships?

    Rather than a year planner, which might look a bit dictatorial, how about getting a pack of envelopes, and into each one putting a tip, an easy recipe, an encouraging thought or quote, and a few fun ones with jokes.

    You could mark the envelopes as appropriate for certain times of year (the seasons, rather than the months), then pack them all into a (macho) decorated shoe box, with a jar of coffee, a miniature of brandy and a packet of paracetamol. Stick a decorative card on the top, such as "For when you need someone and I'm out of reach ;) ".

    That's what I'd do anyway. Hope this doesn't knock your idea on the head, I am just trying to put myself in the recipient's position. xxx
    :D I haven't bogged off yet, and I ain't no babe :D

  • Don't forget to list family birthdays and other special events a week in advance so that he has time to buy pressies or post their cards etc.

    Remind him just how many shopping days there are until Xmas at suitable intervals in Nov and Dec.

    Oooh, B_B - I can see your point too. It does depend on the friend, but as a general idea, I still think it's fab :D
  • BoltonMinx
    BoltonMinx Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Thanks folks, dont mind you nicking the idea lol I nicked it from someplace else too ;)

    He's 28, him and his ex drifted apart amicably, not due to his hopeless house skills lol. Since he's never lived alone, I think its all a bit overwhelming for him. Things just pile up and up till its a huge job, if you know what I mean. Im hoping the planner will help him wean himself off his cleaner & gardener by breaking down the jobs to teeny bites.

    Ive noticed when he's uncertain about things he does like step-by-step guides till he gets the hang of things. Thats how he's learning to cook at the moment, he borrowed Delia Smiths How To Cook, great for a beginner, so Im hoping this will be a friendly, helpful tome rather than a dictactorial one.

    I think the birthdays thing would work well too, maybe with photos to personalise it a bit more.. hmmm, I could get carried away :D
    "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings" - Hodding Carter

    :A ~~~ S
    pread some good Karma ~~~ :A
  • misty
    misty Posts: 1,042 Forumite
    Sounds great - I'd love one.
  • BoltonMinx
    BoltonMinx Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Hahaha, I've been discussing this with his sister - she wants to call it "The Householders guide to the Galaxy" and stick "DONT PANIC" in big friendly letters on the front :D I like it, and Ive now got a willing assistant to help. We've compared it to knitting a quilt, but with less dropped stitches...
    "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings" - Hodding Carter

    :A ~~~ S
    pread some good Karma ~~~ :A
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Remind him just how many shopping days there are until Xmas at suitable intervals in Nov and Dec.
    Must you? Local PO has had a board outside for ages, and it's now under 100! I find it really depressing ...
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • BoltonMinx
    BoltonMinx Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    I thought men only needed one day's notice to buy presents ;) (Sorry, its sexist I know :D)
    "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other wings" - Hodding Carter

    :A ~~~ S
    pread some good Karma ~~~ :A
  • i think its a fab idea.... i would love one!! you should go into production pmsl

    good luck with it and i hope it is really well recieved!
  • Liz19
    Liz19 Posts: 673 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    What a fantastic idea! I would love one of these myself as I could do with being a bit more organised.
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