Last week, I ordered our 2013 holiday cards — yes, I was pretty proud of myself for being so on-top of it this year 🙂
We’re actually sending out Thanksgiving cards since that’s my favorite holiday of the year — so I did have an extra incentive to be “on the ball” in order to get the cards sent and delivered before Thanksgiving Day (which just so happens to be one month from today!)
I’ll definitely be sharing our card on the blog in a few weeks, however; the process of ordering our cards got me thinking about all our addresses… and my teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy address book.
You would think that because I work on the computer all day long, because my iPhone comes with me where ever I go, and because I hate paper clutter that I would have figured out a way to create a digital address book by now… but you would be wrong. I absolutely LOVE my old-fashioned paper address book! I DO anticipate going digital with our addresses at some point, but even then, I think I’ll alway keep my little address book tucked in our office cabinet.
It’s just so convenient for me to flip through the alphabetical index to the person’s last name and quickly find the information I’m looking for — even if my computer isn’t turned on and even if my phone is in my purse on the other side of the house.
There is just something about having the addresses written right there in front of me that I like — and I’m honestly not sure why. But at this point in my life, the address book is working for me — and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Right!
Since I work from home and am almost always within a few steps of my office cabinets, I always have access to my address book. So in my opinion, the only major downside to having a paper address book with written addresses is if people move or their names change.
For this reason, I write most my addresses in pencil for easy changes and alterations.
I realize there are many MANY ways of organizing addresses — so I’d love to know…
Amanda says
I use an excel spreadsheet which started with our wedding (used it for shower, wedding and thenthank yous)… I kept it updated and was easily able to copy people I needed to a new spreadsheet when some of my bridesmaids threw my baby shower. I also was able to use that as the basis for my Christmas card list. I look over it annually and make sure that anyone thatoved has been updated, and also that I add/delete as necessary. I actually do a mail merge into a word document and it prints address labels for me. It seriously has saved me hours since I started printing them that way.
Margaret says
My frequently used contacts are in my phone and synched to the cloud. But for those once or twice a year addresses, I still use an old school Rolodex! I hated having an address book with crossed out entries and a separate folder for business cards. My vintage style Rolodex looks great on my desk and is always up to date. If someone has an address change I just pull out their old card and write a new one. I have a separate section for doctors and one for home maintainence. Since the cards I use are large enough to accommodate business cards I have those in my Rolodex as well. Fifteen years after I bought it my Rolodex is still useful!
Annette says
I use a bound address book and I love it! I have everyone listed by first name. In the back there are stickers for changes.
Angela says
I too use a paper address book and love it! My old one was falling apart, and I’d mistakenly written in ink the first time; so when I went looking for a new one, I ended up getting a Filofax. I keep my calendar and a few other types of paper in there so it can always be handy. This time, I keep it all in pencil, and if I need to, I can add pages since it is a little binder. I love hand addressing envelopes too, to make it all more personal. I love that you are sending out Thanksgiving cards! A friend of mine sends out new years cards, and I appreciate those a lot.
Melissa says
Gmail contacts for us too, we have a family email address that we use that’s on all our devices so we can access contact info from anywhere, for anyone.
erin says
who did you order your holiday cards from?
Anne says
I have been adding, little by little, the addresses that I was using at any time, to my Mac computer address book and it is now syncing with my iPhone (a setting you simply activate) that I ended up buying last year. I love it because I will not lose them, since they are synced, even if both my computer and iPhone die. I can retrieve them on iCloud anytime.
Also, I love it because there are many options you can use within the address book. For instance, adding almost as many line as you want for a person or business for all the phones of the family (and you can then call them just after a few touches on your iPhone screen). Also, I love the feature where you can make as many “files” as you want: school friends, college friends, family, family abroad, child #1, 2, 3 etc’s friends’ parent’s numbers, work, husband’s colleagues, you name it. So if you want to invite/write to a specific group of people, just click on that group and you won’t forget any!
I love it because I have every single info I put in on that person or business with me on my phone at all times (at the Dr’s office, at school, with friends etc) and I can include new addresses and data on the go at anytime, it will then sync with my computer.
I can also send some of the addresses to my husband’s Mac or iPad if I need to.
Lastly, it is possible to select and add someone’s birthdate in the Mac Address Book and that will appear automatically in your Mac Calendar!
I would find it hard to be without these features by now. I just took it slowly, adding the addresses as I was using them, and then I would add a few more each time. It is a blessing!
Ronda Bowen says
Oh boy LOL. My contacts list is a MESS. I really need to update! I have addresses, phone numbers, and emails everywhere!
Cori says
I use an excel spreadsheet and update yearly around Thanksgiving. It started as our wedding guest list 7 years ago and has become our xmas card list. I update yearly. Works great!
Elizabeth says
Same for me! My wedding guest list is now my address list. I update yearly and note what years I’ve sent Christmas cards, what year the address was last updated, and any family info (babies, anniversaries, etc. ). Hard copy stays in my home binder though so I don’t worry about losing my electronic copy!
Claudia says
I decided to finally go digital with all my contact info being put into my iphone. This was a huge step for me, but I thought I should embrace the ear we are living in. Well, good thing I didn’t throw away my old address book (from the 90’s) because as fate would have it MY iphone DIED, and AT&T said there was NO REDEEMING any of the DATA (they claimed water damage). I was very frustrated, but imagine if I had not kept my old fashioned address book? Well, today now that I know I will be keeping a hard copy of our addresses, I am transferring them all to a brand new address book! Of course I will also keep addresses in my iphone, but NEVER exclusively!
Linda B says
G-mail Contacts. Love it.
Evelyn says
I use my iPhone, Gmail Contacts (those two are synced).
My excel spreadsheet that started with my baby shower I have added columns since for whatever holidays cards, baby pics, baptism etc. sent to them to check off.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s responses.
Vivian says
I have all my addresses in an old daytimer and buy new pages when I run out of pages. It very flexible that way. I try to put new addresses in as soon as I get them otherwise it will never get done. If I don’t have the time I put a sticky note in the book. I also try to put them in pencil. As I have had the same address book since 98 there are some pages that just need to be redone.
Barbara Debnam says
I don’t have the answers, but definitely looking forward to hearing what others are doing. I absolutely do not use paper, but beyond that I don’t have ONE system. Some of it is in my label printer software, some on my phone, some in excel . . . what a mess!
Kristoffer says
I use the Contacts option in Gmail. Easy to make changes and as long as I have a internet access it’s easy to access. I can search by first name only (I am terrible remembering last names or vice versa depending on how I know the person), a city, partial phone number, DOB or whatever ‘notes’ I have typed in under their name. Also love that I can place people in groups- ie Family, Co-workers, Business contacts, etc. That way if I am sending out cards to only family members I just pull up that particular group and don’t have to search through every person picking and choosing. Even though I have everyone listed in the Gmail contacts I still have my hardcopy address book with lots of crossed out addresses with the current address squeezed in along the margins. As techy as I like to think I am my address book has been one of those things that I just haven’t been able to break completely away from… just as a back up.
Summer says
I too have an old fashion address book, written in pencil. I have several people listed by their first names though, as that’s what my mother made me do when I was growing up as she didn’t know the names of my many friends. I do the same today. I have several erased addresses and often have had to change last names for marriages or even the divorces. It’s easier to find an old friends address by her first name. Even all my girl cousins have gotten married and being from a large family, it’s just easier to find the relative by their first name, especially to start with a new last name after 30 years!
And it’s funny, because I sent out a few hand written notes this morning and was actually thinking that there must be an easier way to access all of these addresses! Love the tips!
Tracey says
Hi Andrea,
I do the same…pencil written in an “old-fashioned” (but so reliable!) paper address book. I’ve had the same small suede-bound one in my purse for about 20 years (I’m 43) and it never lets me down.
I enjoy visiting your site for great everyday, real-life advice and inspiration!
🙂
Tracey says
Replying to my own comment here…
For Christmas card addresses, I have a Word document formatted to go with Avery brand address labels. In it are all our card recipients, which I update every November as needed, using my trusty little address book.
While I love the warm and personal look of hand written addresses on an envelope, it sure does help to print, peel, and stick addresses on the 80+ cards we send out every year! I save handwritten addresses for individual birthday cards, etc.
Melanie says
I am in love with Google Calendar. I can access it from anywhere in the world, including my smart phone, and its really easy to make changes when people move, change names, etc. It is similar to Excel, so anyone who knows a little something about that program should have no issue navigating Google Calendar.
Melanie says
Sorry, meant to say in love with Google Docs, not Google Calendar. Although, I use both frequently and would suggest to anyone looking for organization ideas using the internet.
Cindy says
I use an Excel spreadsheet for family. Easy to update & send as a file to family members. I get paper copy of our church directory. Would using post it notes with your Evernote work to keep addresses in a file?
linda patti says
I’m ‘old-style’…..I started using a ‘recipe box’ when I was planning our wedding—42 years ago…Each person’s address/phone/rsvp was recorded on an individual index card. you can imagine over the years there have been many changes, crossed out info etc.(guess I should have used a pencil) and when there were many changes, I just started a new card. and also had to add new cards for new acquaintances etc. I recently went through the box to update and it was neat to see many of those original wedding info cards are still in the box! When our daughter was getting married, 6 years ago, she had a spreadsheet with all the info on her computer, and I think she still refers to it.
Tanya says
We have a large family and church family. I purchased a pretty box that holds 4 X 6 index
cards and also a set of 4 x 6 ABC dividers. Index cards are very cheap and it is so easy
to rewrite a new index card for changes and toss the old one. This has worked well for me
and I have also made duplicate boxes for my two new daughter-in-laws. The index cards
are large enough to write additional information on. I also have a red check in the corner of
the index card, which means they are on the Christmas card list.
Dawn says
I use a retro metal recipe box. It looks great in my kitchen and I can easily keep up with info changes by simply making a new index card.
Rykki says
I use Google Contacts. It syncs with my smartphone and addresses are easy to look up for directions while we’re out and about. I also have JUST ONE database of contact information. The information on my phone (AND my husband’s phone) and the information I use at home are all in one place. I only have to keep that one database up to date, it’s very easy to search and access, and that works very well for me.
Jennifer P says
I bought a small binder style address book over 20 years ago and 2 sets of refills to go with it. I too write in pencil to make easy changes but about 10 years ago I just used to the refills to re-do the whole book. I also have some label files on my desk top for Christmas, birthdays and one graduation (open house invite) list. I just open, correct and print when needed.
This is what works for me.
Heather Ratliff says
Our family uses an Excel spreadsheet. We all have access to the family addresses (and I have my own file for our little family’s addresses). I can pull them our for a mail merge for Christmas cards when needed!
christine says
My perspective is so different. I love seeing the changes over the years- the places people lived, people I used to know, old neighbors, people who have passed. The crossouts are just life.
It’s a kind of history book, for me. 🙂
dt says
I have found that crossing an x through the old address in a paper address book to be a great reminder of where people have been, also. My older brother died when his children were young and I have been able to trace back all the addresses where he lived for them. They have gone to visit some of the spots to help give them more of a sense of who he was.
Carmen says
I’ve tried digital but never seemed to have my computer on when I needed something.
I’ve tried address books but they would quickly become a mess as addresses changed (you can only erase so many times).
My favorite way of handling addresses? A rolodex! It’s perfect. They are listed alphabetically so it’s easy to find them. It’s “offline” so available all the time. And the best part was that if a card gets too messy due to several address changes, it’s easy to grab a brand new card and insert it where it belongs!
Lauren K. says
I also use a Google Doc spreadsheet. Since most of my friends have married and moved since I started keeping track of addresses, this has been the most helpful. I also love that I can access it at home, work or on a phone/iPad.
Stephanie Burley says
Same as you! 🙂 And I found that address books aren’t exactly easy to locate in the store anymore.
Rebecca says
I have mine set up as an Excel spreadsheet and I love it. I have columns for spouse’s and kids’ names, notes, and any other info I need. In the same file I have a worksheet of birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates that never change. I also have a section for vendors that we have used and have been happy with their work (glass repair, chimney sweep, etc.)
I also have a printed copy for our family notebook. Any time I need to make changes or additions to the file, I keep the envelope or post it that I wrote the change/addition on and change it the next time I’m on the computer. I then print a new copy for the family notebook.
Deidre says
I use Contacts that comes with my OS. My husband was wise and set up 2 groups of contacts one for our business and another for our personal life. It’s nice as is syncs with my iPhone and updates quickly if I add to it or edit a contact details.
Holly says
We use a Google Doc spreadsheet, accessible to both my husband and I. After the birth of our son last November, I exported it, and used a mail merge to create and print out address labels for birth announcements. (I had postpartum depression badly and couldn’t think about handwriting addresses at that point!)
As addresses change, I just update the document. It’s also helpful as our younger siblings get married — we just send them the Google Doc so they can have a master list of addresses.
Jen says
I tried doing the address thing on my computer, but I got tired of having to turn on the computer, open up the program, etc. My small address book (like yours!) is more convenient for me because it stays in my desk.
I do, however, keep a computer file of address labels for Christmas cards. I hate writing out addresses when I can easily print them – plus, they look better 🙂
Becky says
I use an address book. My father side also created a Facebook page where one of the docs is for addresses. So I can double check and make sure everything is very recent. I’ve been meaning to put them in the computer just so I can print out the envelopes and not deal with handwriting all our cards (we send out around 60+ every year), but I never get it done in time. Lol
Sandy says
I’m happy to hear I’m not too ‘old fashioned’ with regards to having the same small address book you have. I thought for sure you’d have some fancy, new fangled way to store them that I’d not be inclined to try, justifying my lack of willingess to change with the same ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ statement.
Like you, I write names/addresses in pencil so I can change/update as needed and it works just fine for me. About the only thing wrong with mine currently is that it’s not TOTALLY in alphabetical order due to some family members getting married and now having a new address. I don’t want to re-write all the others on the page when there’s no other change so the new ones just get added to the end. As long as they’re still under the correct letter of their last name, that’s good enough for me. 😉
Andrea says
Well, I wouldn’t consider you old-fashioned 🙂
And I also don’t have my address book totally in alphabetical order. As long as all the “A” names are listed under the “A” section, I’m OK with that. I don’t know THAT many people that I can’t look through 2-3 tiny pages of addresses!
Kristina says
I keep mine in a spreadsheet so I can mail merge labels super quick!
I also print out a copy and keep in my home binder. I highlight any addresses that need to be fixed as I receive news from family and friends throughout the year!
Andrea says
I like that you keep one printed copy and highlight the changes throughout the year. I think that was my biggest “issue” with digital addresses is that it’s more of a pain to open the document and make changes every time. Now, I can just get my pencil out, erase, and re-write, when someone moves. But your method would probably solve that issue for me 🙂
Tragic Sandwich says
I have two address books: The Contacts app that is standard on the iPhone, and an Excel spreadsheet that I use for printing labels. We cross-reference them every year before sending holiday cards.
Kelly @ old blue silo says
I bought the REAL SIMPLE address book years ago when I was in college and I am so glad I did! It’s size makes it easy to navigate. I am at an age (and I know you are too) where I have a lot of friends moving back from college, getting married, selling starter homes, etc. and it seems like I’m constantly having to change addresses. They include those labels to go over the old ones which is nice. I would like to convert to digital someday but this old fashion way just works. I keep it in a basket with my stamps, a calligraphy pen, thank you cards and some envelopes in our kitchen so I always have mail necessities handy. Makes me more apt to quickly write a thank you note!
It drives me nuts when that same old friend texts me for my address every other month for a party invite, greeting card, etc. As much as I love her gestures, I want to say “Don’t you have an address book?!?!”
My grandmother passed away 15 years ago and she, believe it or not was completely digital at the time of her passing. She had everything set up so she could print out everyone’s addresses onto labels, made her own return address labels and had a digital address book. If she can do it in that decade, so can we!! I think about that often! haha 🙂 My mom is ALWAYS saying “Can you imagine if your Nonnie was still around?!? She’d be that crazy person in a tent waiting for the next new iphone to come out..”
Andrea says
Yes, I think we had over 25 people in our contacts change addresses this year! It was really easy for me to just erase and re-write the addresses as they moved.
Hilarie says
I have all of my addresses in an Access Database. I love it. Although, I guess it’s not very all-encompassing, since I can’t access it from my phone or anything. But I have reports set up to print on various envelope sizes – I use these for mass mailings (mostly Christmas cards) – so I never have to address many envelopes at once. LOVE THAT!!!
Molly Ekkens says
I tried the address book, but because I am 22 and most of my friends and family are still pretty young, its almost impossible to keep up with all of the address changes. So I opted for a Google Doc spreadsheet instead. This is an easy method for me, because i can access it anywhere and my husband can easily access it too. It’s also very easy to update and add to.