“Mark your calendars” means to remember a date. It tells someone to save the day for something important. This phrase is often used for events or reminders.
Tired of saying the same thing again and again? Want new ways to make your message more fun? These fresh phrases will help you sound better.
There are many friendly and smart ways to say “mark your calendars.” Some are perfect for work. Others are great for casual plans or events.
Why Switch Up “Mark Your Calendars”?
- Avoid monotony. Hearing the same phrase repeatedly turns it bland.
- Set the right tone. A friendly and approachable tone fits social invites, while “reserve this day” suits business meetings.
- Match your audience. Are they casual friends or professional colleagues? The phrase should reflect that.
- Drive action. A fresh phrase like “lock it in” can feel more engaging than the default.
Comparison Table: Formal vs. Casual vs. Tech-Savvy
| Tone | Phrase | Use Case | LSI Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal / Professional | Reserve This Day | Important board meetings | set aside day, hold day |
| Casual / Friendly | Pencil It In | Coffee catch-up with friends | draft date, note down |
| Tech-Friendly | Add This to Your Planner | Digital-savvy work teams | add to calendar, diary entry |
| Urgent / Energetic | Lock It In | High-priority deadlines | calendar alert, date marker |
| Flexible / Tentative | Keep This Day Open | Scheduling tentative events | hold open, no bookings day |
| Direct / Clear | Don’t Forget the Date | Straightforward reminders | reminder alert, remember date |
30 Alternatives to “Mark Your Calendars”
Each entry includes:
- Phrase
- Tone / Best Use
- “Why it works”
- Example in context
1. Save the Date
Tone: Formal yet friendly
Why it works: Common for weddings, big launches, or milestone events
Example: We’re thrilled to celebrate our 10-year anniversary—save the date: October 12!
2. Put It on Your Schedule
Tone: Practical, semi-formal
Why: Great for work meetings, teleconferences
Example: Please put it on your schedule: team sync at 3 PM this Friday.
3. Reserve This Day
Tone: Polished, commanding
Why: Signals exclusivity or importance
Example: Reserve this day for our VIP workshop on August 8.
4. Pencil It In
Tone: Casual, tentative
Why: Implies flexibility, ideal for initial planning
Example: Let’s pencil in a brainstorming session Thursday morning.
5. Make a Note of It
Tone: Supportive, helpful
Why: Soft prompt to jot down
Example: Make a note of it—project deadline’s next Tuesday.
6. Set a Reminder
Tone: Tech-friendly, practical
Why: Encourages use of digital tools
Example: Set a reminder on your phone for our client check-in.
7. Keep This Date Free
Tone: Friendly, clear
Why: Conveys openness and importance
Example: Keep January 14 free for our annual review.
8. Don’t Forget the Date
Tone: Direct, candid
Why: Harder push to memory
Example: Don’t forget the date—our milestone celebration is June 20.
9. Circle the Date
Tone: Casual, visual
Why: Helps people picture marking their planner
Example: Circle May 5 for our big pitch day!
10. Lock It In
Tone: Decisive, assertive
Why: Signals finality—no excuses accepted
Example: Let’s lock it in: project kick-off Wednesday at 9.
11. Book the Date
Tone: Professional, courteous
Why: Gentle but firm
Example: Please book the date—financial presentation on July 15.
12. Jot This Down
Tone: Friendly, casual
Why: Great for spontaneous reminders
Example: Jot this down: team lunch next Tuesday at noon.
13. Remember This Date
Tone: Warm, personal
Why: Good for meaningful milestones
Example: Remember this date—Grandma’s 90th birthday is May 3.
14. Add This to Your Planner
Tone: Tech-savvy, modern
Why: Perfect for app-based schedulers
Example: Add this to your planner: webinar on social strategy.
15. Schedule It Now
Tone: Action-oriented, urgent
Why: Drives immediate response
Example: Schedule it now—sales kickoff on February 2.
16. Keep This Day Open
Tone: Polite, hopeful
Why: Suits tentative arrangements
Example: Keep this day open—we’re planning something special soon.
17. Note the Date
Tone: Formal, clear
Why: Aligned with official notices
Example: Note the date: shareholder meeting on March 23.
18. Mark the Day
Tone: Celebratory, sincere
Why: Highlights emotional importance
Example: Mark the day—our journey begins on October 1!
19. Plan Ahead for This Date
Tone: Organized, foresightful
Why: Helps with logistics-heavy events
Example: Plan ahead for this date—the conference costs early bird discounts.
20. Highlight This Date
Tone: Visual, encouraging
Why: Promotes emphasis or importance
Example: Highlight this date: your graduation ceremony on June 1.
21. Save This Day
Tone: Casual, intimate
Why: Slightly softer than “Save the date”
Example: Save this day—backyard BBQ party on August 17.
22. Don’t Miss It
Tone: Urgent, enthusiastic
Why: Creates excitement and FOMO
Example: Don’t miss it—limited seats, product demo on May 10!
23. Put a Pin in It
Tone: Trendy, flexible
Why: Training wheels for brainstorming ideas or dates
Example: Put a pin in it—let’s revisit the workshop date next week.
24. Flag This Date
Tone: Modern, sharp
Why: Ideal for email or task management tools
Example: Flag this date—final delivery is out on April 30.
25. Hold the Date
Tone: Formal, preemptive
Why: Offers advance notice before final details
Example: Hold the date—annual conference tentatively set for November 5.
26. Make Time for This
Tone: Personal, respectful
Why: Conveys care and priority
Example: Make time for this—our team-building dinner starts at 7.
27. Write It Down
Tone: Direct, casual
Why: Simple verbal reminder
Example: Write it down: dentist appointment on May 28 at 10.
28. Get Ready for This Date
Tone: Anticipatory, exciting
Why: Stokes enthusiasm and prep
Example: Get ready for this date—premium ticket sale opens June 1.
29. Make a Mental Note
Tone: Soft, informal
Why: Works for things that aren’t fully scheduled
Example: Make a mental note that holiday orders close December 10.
30. Prepare for the Date
Tone: Serious, proactive
Why: Implies action beyond attendance
Example: Prepare for the date—your defense slides are due October 8.
👍 When to Use ➕ Which Phrase
To help you choose the best phrase, use this quick reference:
| Context | Best Phrases | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Weddings & Launches | Save the Date, Save This Day, Mark the Day | Formal yet warm |
| Business Meetings | Put It on Your Schedule, Book the Date, Schedule It Now | Clear and actionable |
| Team Events / Workshops | Reserve This Day, Block Off Your Calendar, Plan Ahead | Signals commitment |
| Friends & Family Catch-ups | Pencil It In, Jot This Down, Make a Mental Note | Casual, friendly, no pressure |
| Digital-First Users | Add This to Your Planner, Flag This Date | Fits tech-savvy workflows |
| High-Energy Promotion | Don’t Miss It, Lock It In, Get Ready | Creates excitement & urgency |
| Tentative Planning | Keep This Day Open, Put a Pin in It, Hold the Date | Flexible and considerate |
Lighten the Load: Tips & Examples
Thinking of tone only? Try mixing in playful context:
- Funny Email:
Heads up — don’t miss it: “Pizza Party Friday!” at 6 PM. Bring your appetite. 🍕 - Social Post:
Hey, fam—get ready for this date: beach day Sunday at noon. Sunscreen required! - Team Chat:
Quick heads-up: plan ahead for Tuesday—our quarterly meeting kicks off at 2.
FAQs — Your Burning Questions Answered
Q1: Can I mix different phrases in one message?
Yes, but don’t overdo it. For example:
“Save the date—October 3—and don’t miss it: we’re launching the new product!”
Stick to 1–2 catchy phrases to keep things impactful.
Q2: What about tone—when should it be formal vs. casual?
If it’s work or official, go professional: “Book the Date,” “Plan Ahead.” If it’s social or fun, lean into casual: “Pencil It In,” “Come get ready.” Tailor it to your audience.
Q3: Should I include both date and time?
Absolutely — here’s how:
“Circle March 15 at 2 PM—our webinar on productivity hacks!”
Combine date with time to make your calendar alert clear.
Q4: Do I need follow-up reminders?
Yes, brace them for two reminders:
- Advance Notice — e.g., “Save the Date”
- Closer Reminder — e.g., “Don’t Forget the Date” a week out.
That double beat guides attention and avoids surprises.
Q5: How often can I use a phrase before it sounds stale?
Swap it up now and then. Variety keeps your voice fresh and engaging—plus it helps with SEO. Don’t over-stuff; sprinkle one or two per message.
✅ Pro Tips to Help You Stand Out
- Add visuals like calendar emojis 📅, icons, bold text—to make your phrase pop.
- Mix imagery and action: “Circle, jot down, highlight!” encourages active planning.
- Build anticipation: piggyback your phrase with teaser info:
“Get ready for this date—new product dropping soon!” - Fit the brand voice: Are you a quirky startup? Use playful tone. Corporate? Go polished.
- Pair with reminders: Send Slack, email, or push notifications after your phrasing to build momentum.
Final Thoughts
Phrases matter. A well-chosen alternative to “Mark Your Calendars” acts like a tiny magnet that draws your reader in and pushes them to act. Whether you’re managing a future event, organizing a personal meetup, or sending a simple appointment reminder, these 30 variants offer the spice your writing deserves.
Next time you write an invite or alert:
- Pick a phrase that fits your tone.
- Pair it with clear details—date, time, action.
- Make it human. Add color, humor, or excitement.
📌 Quick Recap Table
| Scenario | Ideal Phrase(s) |
|---|---|
| Wedding / Big Event | Save the Date, Mark the Day |
| Business / Webinar | Put It on Your Schedule, Schedule It Now |
| Team Workshop | Reserve This Day, Block Off Your Calendar |
| Casual Story with Friends | Pencil It In, Jot This Down |
| Last-Minute Reminder | Don’t Miss It, Set a Reminder |
| Planning Before Details | Keep This Day Open, Put a Pin in It |
| Digital-First Audience | Add This to Your Planner, Flag This Date |
Closing Charge
Using different ways to say “mark your calendars” can make your message sound more personal or professional. It helps you connect better with others.
Whether it’s a friendly invite or a formal reminder, picking the right phrase matters. Try these options to add warmth, clarity, or style to your communication.
William Jams is an experienced blogger at EnglishGleam, passionate about language, writing, and storytelling. With years of expertise in crafting engaging content, she aims to inspire readers through insightful articles that enhance their English skills and knowledge.
