🧁 A parent's guide to setting up birthday alerts on your Mac


Hey Reader! 👋

For this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to add birthdays into the Contacts app and get reminders so you’ll never miss a birthday again.

😖 The issue

I used to forget important birthdays all the time.

I didn't forget because I didn't care. I just lacked a good way to track and be reminded about the birthdays.

Not any more.

Since then, I’ve become known to friends and family for being on top of people’s birthdays. I even use a service that will send a card with postage and have it arrive on a birthday!

Thankfully, there’s an easy way on your Mac to get reminders about upcoming birthdays. Better yet, you can customize the reminders far enough in advance to send a card, get a gift, or plan a birthday dinner.

👇 Give it a try

Here’s how to make sure you’re always on top of your friends' and families' birthdays:

Add Birthdays in Contacts

  • Open the Contacts app and select a contact.
  • Click "Edit" and add the birthday in the corresponding field.
  • Click “Done” to save the changes.

This ensures that all birthdays are stored in one central location.

Sync Contacts with Calendar

  • Open the Calendar app and go to Settings.
  • Select the “General” tab and check the box for “Show Birthdays calendar”.

This allows birthdays to appear automatically in your calendar.

Set Up Birthday Alerts

  • In Calendar Settings, click on the "Alerts" tab.
  • Set default alerts for birthdays, such as a week in advance.
  • Customize alert times to fit your needs.

Early reminders help you prepare without stressing out at the last minute.

Now, the birthday will show up as an event on your Calendar.

Use Siri for Hands-Free Setup

  • Activate Siri and say, “Add a birthday for [Contact Name].”
  • Follow the prompts to complete the setup.
  • Confirm that the birthday has been added in Contacts.

Siri makes the process quick and efficient when you're away from your Mac.

Regularly Update Your Contacts

  • Periodically review and update your contact list.
  • Add new family and friends' birthdays right away.
  • Remove outdated contacts to keep your list up to date.

Regular updates ensure that you never miss an important birthday.

Setting up birthday alerts in macOS Contacts is simple and ensures you never forget a special day again. Today, try it out and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being prepared.

✨ One more thing

Unlock the secrets to stress-free family travel with my FREE 5-day email course! Build a travel tech kit that keeps you organized and entertained. 🚀

In the course, you’ll get:

  • Expert packing tips.
  • 35+ recommended tech products.
  • Hassle-free travel experiences.

If you enjoy this newsletter, I know you'll also enjoy this! Click the button below to have the FREE 5-day course sent to your inbox automatically.

Until next time, see ya! 👋

Gannon

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205 | Unsubscribe | Preferences

Remote Work Starter Kit

Every other week, I identify one common mistake new remote workers make that's costing them comfort and productivity in their home office. You'll get beginner-friendly Mac-based gear recommendations, easy setup guides with photos, and budget-conscious alternatives—perfect for those just starting their remote work journey.

Read more from Remote Work Starter Kit
green gradient background with a white power icon in the center

TL;DR: Most new remote workers buy cheap USB-C hubs that can't handle their connectivity needs, leading to constant disconnects and frustration. Learn how to choose the right hub for your Mac setup and avoid spending money twice on this essential piece of gear. . . . . . Remember the last time your external monitor randomly disconnected during a Zoom call? Or when your keyboard kept freezing while presenting? I spent my first few months of remote work juggling three different cheap USB-C...

green gradient background with a video icon in the center

Hey Reader! 👋 Ever joined a video call and wondered why you look like you're calling from a cave? You know what I'm talking about: You're about to share your big idea in the team meeting when you catch a glimpse of yourself. Double chin from that low camera angle. Shadows making you look tired. Your face is so dark people probably think you're working from a closet! Left unfixed, these video call fails can hurt your professional image. They might even cost you that promotion or client deal...

green gradient background with a white computer window icon in the center

Hey Reader! 👋 Last week, I shared some exciting news about the newsletter's evolution, and your response was incredible! So many of you reached out to share your own remote work journeys and challenges. This week, we're diving into something I get asked about constantly: How to create the perfect Mac + iPad workflow for remote work. After 5 years of testing countless setups (and making plenty of mistakes along the way), I've cracked the code for a setup that actually works. 🔧 The perfect...