Choose a large monthly calendar. Paper is preferable to a dry-erase board; you can make notes on future months, and you'll have a record of events that have passed. (You can print out a smaller version at www.printfree.com.) Hang the calendar or attach it to the refrigerator door.

Before you start a new calendar, flip through the year and enter birthdays, anniversaries, and work and school holidays. Jot down a reminder a week ahead of important occasions so you have time to send a card or buy a gift.

Log in plans as they come up: parties, field trips, sporting events, meetings, medical appointments, vacations.

Assign each family member a color; use it to highlight or put a dot next to that person's activities. Everyone can quickly determine which appointments are his or hers.