2008 Easter Countdown Calendar

Ready to "hop" into a happy Easter? Here's the Easter Countdown Calendar for 2008. Click the image for a printable page in .pdf format:

2008 Easter Countdown Calendar

Easter Countdown: Get Organized Week

Welcome to Get Organized Week at the Easter Countdown! Written by our own OC member Gingerbug, this six-week organizing plan is based on the Christmas Countdown. In small weekly steps, it'll have your household hopping toward a happy Easter.

Ready? It's time to get organized!

To do this week:

• Make the promise! Spend 15 minutes each day this week to get organized for Easter.
• Set up your Easter section in your holiday planner.
• Add blank lined pages for any notes and records. Create and add a master "to do" list for Easter.
• Make or designate a planning calendar. Pencil in items to accomplish or list Lent services/activities.
• Begin at the beginning: review your family's holiday values. Print and record your findings on the values page. What messages do you want conveyed about this holiday? What activities are most meaningful?
• Baskets await!! Start a list. Don't forget to record purchases and plan accordingly.
• Make a list of people you want to send Easter cards to. Locate addresses, and consider making a computerized address list for maximum time savings. Making cards? Don't forget to create a supply list.
• Print a home spruce-up worksheet and complete the home spruce-up exercise. Plan and schedule any pre-holiday home improvement projects. Think: Spring cleaning!
• Will your family travel this holiday? Or will you have guests? Plan your trip or plan guest accommodations this week.
• Think family photos: stock up on camera batteries, pick up Easter scrapping supplies or other photo related chores.
• Schedule carpet cleaning now! Think Spring and seasonal cleaning chores.

To print this week:

2008 Easter Countdown Calendar
Get Organized Week Checklist

Easter Countdown: Reality Check Week

Week Two of the Easter Countdown means it's time for a reality check! Get holiday planning in place (with a dose of realism) with this week's task list.

To Do This Week:

• Card Check: If making cards...do you have the design and the materials ready?
• Make a holiday budget. Think about the extra cost of new outfits, dinner, and baskets. Plan ahead and spread the purchases out over the next few weeks.
• Do your visual field a favor with a quick decor declutter. Ready the house for spring items and Easter decor.
• Set up a housework plan. Print our chore checklist form. Post it publicly and hold family members accountable for delegated tasks.
• Make a family wardrobe check. Fill out the family wardrobe worksheet, and put any "To Buy" items on your shopping list.
• Check out basket stuffers and egg dye for the best selection...buy early.
• Do you keep a gift closet, adding new gift items year-round? Take inventory now, before buying more basket fillers.
• Perform a tabletop check. Inventory serving pieces, table linens, china and flatware. Check store flyers for sales. Will you be ready to set a pretty holiday table?
• Schedule family haircut appointments.
• Purchase any holiday attire for the family.

To Print This Week:

Chore Checklist

Family Wardrobe Worksheet

Gift Closet Inventory

Easter Countdown: Gifts 'n Giving Week

Week Three? It's bunnies, baskets and bonnets time as we enter Gifts 'n Giving Week. Countdown chores this week will organize Easter gifts and giving:

To Do This Week:

• Finish Easter cards. Set a date for mailing them. (if not done)
• Finish up all basket stuffers this week. Any special crafts or gifts. Get them finished up. Easter's just around the corner.
• Use a three-hold punch to add a large manila envelope to the holiday notebook. Place all receipts in the envelope to track purchases. Also get a page ready for clearance shopping after Easter. Record all post Easter purchases so you will remember them next year. You will be a head of the game and pleased at the prices.
• Plan your Easter egg hunt. Will there be prizes? If so get them ready ahead of time. Children? Adults? Make a plan and stick to it.
• Finish buying any new clothing for the holiday. Look for items that can play double duty and be used again and again to get your moneys worth. A special outfit that’s only worn once is a drain on the budget.
• Plan baskets. How will you wrap or hide them? Will you have a basket treasure hunt with clues? If so, start thinking about your clues and how the hunt will unfold.
• Plan Easter Dinner using a menu planner sheet. Order your ham or turkey. Check serving pieces and write the contents on a Post-it note. Make it easy for others to help!
• Recheck your calendar. Are church services penciled in? Any other projects or activities?
• Don't forget to make sure your camera is ready. Need new batteries? Pick them up now.

To Print This Week

Holiday Menu Planner

Easter Countdown: Get Cooking Week

Ready to get cooking? The fourth week of the Easter Countdown sees us prepare for holiday meals. Spring into an organized Easter!

To Do This Week

• Fill out a holiday menu planner form for Easter and any other family gatherings you will host this month.
• Final check of serving pieces. Write contents on post its and make it easy for others to help.
• Plan a signature drink for Easter brunch or dinner. Passion Punch comes to mind but there are several other fruity ones that will add a special touch to your meal.
• Inventory the freezer and record the contents on the freezer inventory form. Plan to eat from the freezer this week and next week, making room for holiday meals and goodies. Use food budget savings to stock up on holiday staples.
• Start planning Easter baking with the baking planner form and be alert for supermarket specials. Try to buy nonperishable holiday foods this week and next week for all the upcoming meals.
• Do a mini freezer cooking session to put 5-10 pre-made entrees into the freezer. Use these meals on busy spring evenings. Spring sports are starting and practices can create hectic schedules.
• Prepare for drop in visitors. Collect hospitality supplies: cheese, crackers, frozen desserts. Hide from hungry family members using creative labeling.
• Now’s the time to plan a special Easter basket for any shut ins or older relatives that can’t get out and about. Fill it with small goodies (mindful of diet restrictions) and plan to deliver it over the Easter weekend or before.
• Plan an Easter Open House to encourage visitors to stop by. Have baskets of plastic eggs with small treats for visitors’ children and for the neighborhood kids.
• Simplify baking chores: Organize a spring cookie swap. Invite 6-12 guests to bring as many dozen cookies as there will be guests. Swap so that each guest leaves with a lavish assortment of cookies. Although we think of this as a Christmas event why not try it in the spring? There are plenty of cute recipes for this time of year.
• Don’t forget to check and update your calendar for any special church or community events.

To Print This Week:

Holiday Menu PlannerFreezer InventoryBaking Planner

Easter Countdown: Decorate Week

The big day is on the way; time to decorate! Decorate Week tasks focus on creating a pretty home for the Easter holiday.

To Do This Week:

• Make sure any and all Easter cards and/or gifts are mailed.
• Finish any Easter related gifts or crafts this week.
• Set up holiday tearfiles. Use tearfiles for ideas for Easter decorating. Save for next year!
• If you haven't already done so inventory your Easter decorations and any left over gifts or clearance items for next year's use. Make a list of items to look for during Easter clearance in the stores this year.
• Baskets: Take a minute to inventory baskets and baskets items...don't wait until Easter weekend to make sure you have it AND can locate it.
• Prepare any desserts or items that can be frozen ahead of time.
• Check in with family members at Easter celebrations. Now is the time to set up some summer family gatherings. Get them on the calendar early.
• Make sure you have eggs and dye!
• Take pictures of your Easter decor. Save so that next year you can remember the set up.
• Do a last minute check of Easter outfits (including shoes). Are they ready?
• Try adding an Easter book or DVD to your collection. Relax and watch it sometime this weekend in preparation for the Easter celebration ahead.