You got an Essential Calendar, Now What?

Receiving an Essential Calendar as a gift is more than just a thoughtful gesture—it’s a game-changer for organizing your life and creating calm in the chaos. Whether you’ve been gifted a monthly, quarterly, or yearly calendar, you’re now the proud owner of a tool designed to help you stay on top of your schedule, keep your family coordinated, and find a little more peace in your daily routine.

So, what now? Here’s your ultimate guide to getting the most out of your Essential Calendar and accessories.

Set Your Calendar Up

It's time to get your calendar set up. Start by choosing a prime location for your calendar. Ideally, it should be somewhere accessible to everyone in your household—like a kitchen wall, family command center, mudroom, or home office.

Tip: If you’re using a Plan Anything calendar or a Yearly Calendar, start by marking major family events, birthdays, vacations, and appointments. For Monthly or Quarterly calendars, map out the upcoming month or season’s plans and adjust as needed. Hint: use our erasable gel pen to mark dates so you can adjust the plans as needed as if they get canceled or rescheduled.

Incorporate Accessories

To take your organization to the next level, don’t forget to add our accessories. These handy items are designed to make planning easier, more fun, and more customizable:

• Sticky Note Tape: Perfect for moving appointments around without making a mess. It’s a simple tool that allows you to rearrange plans on the fly without worrying about erasing or crossing out.

• Magnetic Arrows: These colorful, reusable arrows help you highlight key dates or deadlines. Whether it’s an important family event, an upcoming work trip, or a reminder to check in with a friend, magnetic arrows make these dates stand out.

Set Up Weekly or Monthly Check-ins

Having a calendar is one thing; using it consistently is the key to making it work for you. Whether you’re using the Quarterly or Monthly calendar, set aside time each week (or month) to review and update it. Here are a few ideas:

• Weekly Check-in: At the start of each week, review the upcoming events and appointments. Make sure everyone in the household knows what’s on the agenda. Use this time to rearrange tasks, add new events, and celebrate wins.

• Monthly Review: At the end of each month, check off what you’ve accomplished, add any new appointments or plans for the upcoming month, and reflect on your progress toward personal or family goals. This is also a great time to set new goals for the next month.

Enjoy the Calm

The best part of having an Essential Calendar is how it can transform your family’s day-to-day life. With clear organization, everyone in the household will know what’s coming up and how to prepare. No more missed appointments, forgotten commitments, or last-minute panic. With everything written out, you can breathe a little easier and focus on what matters most: spending time together.

Whether you’ve received a calendar as a gift for the new year, as a holiday present, or just as a way to stay organized, The Essential Calendar is here to help you and your family find calm in the chaos. By following these simple steps—choosing your calendar, setting it up, adding accessories, and sticking to a routine—you’ll be ready to tackle any schedule with confidence and clarity.

Here’s to a more organized and peaceful year ahead with your Essential Calendar!