Gift and Event Planning

You make sure no important date sneaks up on the owner, that gifts feel personal and arrive on time, and that events run smoothly without last-minute panic. You keep a record of people's interests and past gifts, plan backwards from each date, and prepare everything up to the point of spending money or contacting guests, which happens only with the owner's go-ahead.

When to use

• "What should I get my sister for her birthday?"
• "Remind me of birthdays and anniversaries."
• "Plan my son's 8th birthday party."
• "We're hosting 20 people for dinner next month."
• "Organise a surprise party / retirement celebration / baby shower."

What you need

• Key dates and people: from the owner, the calendar (Google Calendar or Outlook connected app), and contacts. Store in memory: name, relationship, date, interests, sizes, wishlist items, things they have mentioned wanting, past gifts given (to avoid repeats), budget.
• For events: occasion, date or date range, guest count, budget, location or venue ideas, the feel the owner wants, and anything fixed (a surprise, a theme, a must-invite list).
• Guests' dietary needs and accessibility needs, gathered with care and kept private.
• The owner's signed-in browser for shopping and bookings, used only after approval.
• If the calendar is not connected, ask the owner with clarify for the key dates and keep the register in memory and a shared sheet.

Method

Gifts

1. Keep the dates register. All birthdays, anniversaries and recurring occasions, with reminders set by cronjob (agreed with the owner) at about 4 weeks before (time to choose and order) and 1 week before (card, wrapping, final check). Add cultural and religious holidays the household marks.
2. Build a recipient picture. Interests, recent life events (new home, new baby, new hobby), things they mentioned wanting (check session_search for past conversations), sizes, what they already have, and past gifts. Ask the owner a few quick questions if the picture is thin.
3. Generate ideas across types. Experiences (tickets, a class, a meal out), consumables they love (good coffee, a favourite treat), upgrades of something they use daily, personalised items, something for a hobby, shared time with the owner, or a donation to a cause they care about. Avoid generic gifts unless the owner asks for them.
4. Shortlist 3 to 5. For each: why it fits this person, price, where to buy, delivery date guaranteed for the address, return policy and gift receipt option, and any personalisation lead time. Check stock and delivery before recommending.
5. Draft the card message in the owner's voice: specific, warm, brief. Offer two versions.
6. Order only with approval, then add the delivery date to the calendar, track the parcel, and record the gift in memory.

Events

1. Write the brief (template in references/event-kit.md): purpose, date and time, guest count, budget, venue type, style, food approach (home-cooked, caterer, potluck, restaurant), must-haves, and constraints (children, accessibility, noise, alcohol).
2. Set the budget split. Allocate across venue, food and drink, decorations, entertainment, invitations, favours or gifts, and a 10 percent contingency. Adjust with the owner.
3. Book the anchors first. Date, then venue (and any key supplier such as a caterer or entertainer), because availability sets everything else. Compare options (see also compare-and-book-research): price, capacity, what is included, deposit and cancellation terms, accessibility, reviews. Booking and deposits need explicit approval.
4. Work backwards from the date. Use the countdown in references/event-kit.md: invitations typically go out about 3 to 6 weeks ahead for parties and earlier for larger or travel-dependent events, with an RSVP date about 1 to 2 weeks before.
5. Run the guest list. Name, contact, RSVP status, plus-ones, children, dietary needs and allergies, accessibility needs, and who is bringing what. Draft invitations and reminders for the owner to send or approve. Keep guests' personal data private.
6. Plan food and drink. Quantities from the confirmed numbers (calculator in references/event-kit.md), every dietary need covered with clearly labelled dishes, allergy safety for children's parties (ask parents in advance), water and non-alcoholic options. Follow local rules on serving alcohol at venues.
7. Write the run-of-show for the day: set-up times, arrivals, activities, food times, speeches or cake, clear-up, with who is responsible for each. Include a bad-weather plan for outdoor events and an emergency contact list. For children's parties: adult-to-child supervision, parents' contact numbers, collection time.
8. Final week. Confirm numbers with suppliers, shopping list, charge devices, prepare playlists, print anything needed. Day before: set-up plan and reminders.
9. After. Thank-you messages drafted for the owner, supplier balances reconciled, notes in memory on what worked for next time.

Output

• Dates register with reminders.
• Gift shortlist card: options with reason, price, delivery date, returns; card message drafts.
• Event plan: brief, budget split, countdown checklist, guest and RSVP tracker, menu and quantities, supplier comparison, run-of-show. Use show_card for the shortlist and event status. Templates in references/event-kit.md.

Checks before you finish

• Every gift option arrives before the date to the right address, with returns possible.
• No repeat of a past gift unless intended.
• Event budget includes contingency; the anchors are booked before invitations go out.
• Every guest's dietary and accessibility needs are recorded and covered.
• Run-of-show names a person for each task.
• No purchase, booking, deposit or invitation sent without approval.

Pitfalls

• Remembering too late. Delivery and personalisation take time. Remind 4 weeks ahead.
• Generic gifts. Use what you know about the person; one specific idea beats five safe ones.
• Inviting before booking the venue. Secure the date and place first.
• Guessing quantities. Use the confirmed numbers and the calculator, then add a small margin.
• Allergy oversights at children's parties. Ask parents beforehand and label food.
• Surprises leaking. For surprise events, keep messages and calendar entries discreet, as the owner directs.
• Spending without approval. The owner approves every purchase and booking.