catapult magazine

The perpetual calendar makes a comeback

by Christina Crook

The birthday calendar is something of a Dutch tradition. The world over, you will find important dates like birthdays and anniversaries lovingly jotted in something called the perpetual calendar and hanging in the powder room. I got mine in Gouda, Netherlands two years ago and since then many a visitor has commented on its practicality.  

It seems this little traditional calendar is making a comeback. Consider these online finds:

• The Sukie perpetual calendar by Chronicle, complete with moveable day, month and weather wheels.
• The vintage gold brass flip.
• And of course, the Dutch-themed birthday calendar.

A fine investment, I can attest. 

Make your own!

Here’s how you can make your own perpetual calendar by hand:

1.   First, cut your paper to size. (I used 8.5″ × 11″ card stock cut in half.) 

2.  Then, draw your lines for every day of the month. (You could always cheat here and do this on the computer.) 

3.  Number each line. I chose to use my typewriter.

4.  Next, choose your theme. (I’m a sucker for snail mail so I used stamps.) 

5.  Finally, punch a hole through the top of the calendar and feed through a ribbon or twine. 

6.  Hang and begin jotting in your loved ones’ special days. (I recommend using a pencil. Mistakes happen.)