How to Never Forget an Anniversary

Couples don't always count the same day. Agree on yours out loud, so nobody is guessing:

• •Your wedding anniversary, and the day you got together if you mark that too.
• •Your parents' anniversary, and your partner's parents'.
• •Close friends' wedding anniversaries, if you'd like to send a note.
• •Work anniversaries for the people you manage or work closely with.

Write down the exact date for each one. If you're not sure of a family date, a parent or a sibling usually knows. For birthdays and the other dates in your year, see how to remember important dates.

A reminder on the day is fine for a message. It's too late for a booking, a gift that has to arrive, or a day off. Work backwards from what you want to do:

• •14 days before: a restaurant booking, a trip, a gift that ships.
• •7 days before: a card by post (when to mail it), or a small plan.
• •The day before: a message, flowers, or a call. You can write the message then and schedule the text for the morning.

For your own anniversary, two reminders work well: one a week or two ahead to plan, and one the day before to write the message.

You don't need a special app:

• •Your phone's calendar: add a yearly event with two alerts, a week before and a day before. It's free and already there, though alerts are easy to swipe away on a busy day.
• •A calendar you share with your partner: you both see it, so it isn't one person's job to remember.
• •A note you check every week: works if you really check it.

Whatever you use, keep every anniversary in the same place, so nothing depends on memory.

Greetigo is one option. Save an anniversary once and it repeats every year on the same date. Greetigo emails you the day before by default, or on the day, or 1, 3, 7 or 14 days before, and you can pick more than one. Each email comes with a message already written: a free template with their name, or on Plus and Premium the AI-written draft you saved for that date. You review it, then send it from Greetigo or copy it into a card or a text. Nothing is sent until you click Send.

It's free for up to 10 saved dates. Reminders come by email, and as Mac notifications if you use the Mac app. There are no text-message reminders and no phone app.

It happens. Say it today, in person if you can, without excuses, and make a real plan. What to do when you forgot your anniversary has words you can use. Missed a couple's anniversary, like your parents'? A short, warm belated note is enough; see anniversary wishes for your parents.

Short and specific beats long and general: one memory from the year, one thing you love about them, one plan for the year ahead. For ideas, see anniversary messages, first anniversary wishes and anniversary gift ideas.