Have you ever forgotten a special event and ended up running to the store for a card at the very last minute? This can be stressful and make you feel guilty for not being on top of things. Avoid these awkward situations by keeping these three cards on hand at all times:

1. Congratulations 
You never know when someone in your office will get a well-deserved promotion, ask the love of their life to marry them or find out they’re having a baby. Be prepared with a simple congratulations card to share your excitement about your co-workers’ latest endeavor.

2. Happy Birthday 
Depending on the size of your office, you may have a couple staff birthdays every month – that’s a lot to keep track of! Have some birthday cards in your desk that you can quickly fill out on the way to one of those break-room surprise parties. Scrawl a simple, “Cheers to another year!” and your name and you’re good to go. Your co-worker or boss will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you will be glad you had a card ready and waiting.

3. Thank you 
People do things every day worth thanking them for. From making sure there is always hot coffee available to fixing your computer, make sure you show your appreciation for even the little things. Keep a stack of thank-you cards in your office for those moments that you don’t want to go unnoticed. Thank the janitors for taking care of a particularly messy supply room. Show gratitude to a client for taking you out to lunch. Offer your thanks to a superior who has been a helpful mentor and guide through your career. Saying thanks may not seem like a big deal, but it goes a long way in showing that you notice other people’s hard work.