Calendars have been an invaluable tool for keeping track of time for not mere centuries but actually since prehistoric times. Though our ancestors 10,000 years ago probably had little need to keep track of dental appointments and birthdays of the mother-in-law, calendars were often used to keep track of holy days. As civilization advanced, so did its calendars, eventually settling on the model we use today that is determined by the Earth’s journey around the sun (allowing for a “leap day” every four years).
These days, smart phones and Internet-based calendars might seem to have replaced the written calendars we pin to our walls or lay on our desks, but there’s a familiar comfort to traditional planners where doodles and doctor appointments can co-mingle. If you’re looking to organize your life, here are several calendars we recommend.
Plenty of extra features
If you want to look professional, this monthly planner is a great place to start. The designers thought of everything, including the addition of two side pockets for stashing your loose items. Months are separated by tabs, and there are separate sections for notes, passwords, holidays, a yearly overview and more. Also, it’s made with thick, pure white paper that is resistant to bleeding.
Room for note-taking
If you’d prefer a utilitarian calendar over one featuring photos of kittens and puppies, this is your best bet. Its professional design lends itself well to the office cubicle, and the 15 x 11.5 inch pages leave you plenty of room to jot down daily notes.
All your heroes
Two American legends team up for this calendar. Thomas Kinkade – the famed “painter of light” – and the world of Walt Disney make for perfect partners in this wall calendar that will be a real conversation starter.
Won’t fall off
Pop quiz: Which appliance do you stare at the most each day? The refrigerator is my guess. And what should you actually be staring at every day? Yep, a calendar. It didn’t take Einstein to work out the symmetry of this magnetic calendar sized just right for your fridge, but here it is. The calendar is 16.6 x 12 x 0.1 inches, allowing plenty of room for writing down appointments, birthdays and more. Buyers rave that the magnetized surface is strong enough so there are no worries about slippage.
Old school choice
I seriously believe I had this exact same desk calendar in the 1980s – proof enough that sometimes you don’t need to change a good thing. (I can still see where I would have penciled in my first Journey concert back in ’81!) High-quality paper keeps ink bleeding at bay, and 21 ¾ x 17 inch pages allow for plenty of notes. (It’s also useful as a desk pad to protect the surface of your desk.)
Steve Spears is editor of Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. He is based in Orlando and counts St. Augustine, Key West and the Gulf Beaches among his favorite destinations in the state.
