UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.
Congrats to: Jenny (jpage84@…) and Lyss (lyss.rose@…)
Over the last 3 years, I’ve talked A LOT about planners here on my blog. I LOVE paper planners and calendars!
Although there are a few things Dave and I do digitally via Apple’s iCalendar, we both definitely prefer paper planners so we can see many days and weeks at one time, quickly scratch a couple notes down on a specific day, and vigorously cross off our finished items each day.
For the past 3 years, I’ve used the same planner — and I loved how the inside of the planner was set up. Vertical columns for each day of the week, a full week at a glance, and plenty of blank space at the bottom of each day to jot my notes, make my to-do list, etc.
It was the best planner (for my needs) I had ever found — however, last year the company changed management, their customer service plummeted, and their 2013 planners were not available until well into 2013 (crazy I know). Luckily, I had an extra one from the year before (and the dates aren’t written in so I could make the 2012 version work for 2013) and a friend gave me one as a gift — so I am actually set for planners for a few months yet.
But since I like to be prepared (and since I know the “normal” time to shop for a planner is right about now) I decided to start looking for other planners that had the same set-up as mine. I kept coming up short with many of the different companies and brands I looked into.
And then, a few weeks ago, The Personal Planner company (here is their Facebook page) contacted me about reviewing their planners and doing a giveaway on my blog. They told me I would be able to customize my planner for my personal needs — but I’ll be honest, I was not super optimistic I would be able to implement all my “planner essentials”.
However, after spending 3 or 4 minutes quickly looking through some of the customizable options, I felt fairly confident I could make a planner EXACTLY how I wanted and needed. Plus, I got a little creative and designed my own cover and back (more on this below).
After about 15 minutes (seriously, it didn’t take long at all) I had a planner that looked and functioned almost exactly like my previous planner, and it had several extra bonuses the old planner didn’t have — like extra pages in the back, customizable tabs at the bottoms of each page, and really fun colors and designs to pick from.
I was sold and immediately told the folks at Personal Planner that I would love to promote their planners on my blog!
Here are just a FEW of the customizable options:
- Size / style of the planner
- Color, design, font style of the inside pages
- Front and back cover (you can even create and upload your own custom design like I did)
- Page layout and page design
- Owner information page
- 3 tabbed sections on the bottom of every page (there are so many different options to choose from)
- Various choices for extra pages in the back of the planner
- Optional addition of your our own personal dates (birthdays, anniversaries, school days off, vacations, etc)
- Optional addition of your own addresses so you can have a complete address book included in your planner
- and so much more!
The process is super quick and easy. With just a few clicks here and there, you can totally change the look and design of your planner.
Here’s a TINY sampling of the various sizes, styles, colors, and designs:
One of the things that most attracted me to the Personal Planner is that although there are TONS of awesome pre-designed covers you can choose from (and then customize as desired), you can also upload your own pictures or your own complete design for the front and the back cover.
So you literally can personalize this planner to look exactly like you want. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been able to do this with any other planner company I’ve worked with — and I’ve tried my fair share of planners over the years 🙂
When I set out to create my planner, I wanted something really unique, and since we have a new baby coming in March, I didn’t want to use a picture that would then be out-dated in just a couple months. So I opted for a quote instead — and I just LOVE how the design turned out 🙂
Here are digital pictures of the actual front and back designs.
Simple, but definitely not something I’ll mind looking at for the next year or so 🙂
The Giveaway:
Today, 2 lucky readers will win a Personal Planner. Winners can completely design their own planner.
How to Enter:
{required} Leave a comment on this post. What do you look for in a planner?
If you are reading this in your email or feed reader, please visit the actual blog post to enter. Email entries, Facebook comments, and Twitter messages will NOT be counted.
Prizes:
(2) Personal Planners as described above.
This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm on Thursday, 11/21/2013 and is open to ANYONE, 18 years or older. I will use And the Winner Is to select the winning comments at random. Winners will be notified by email and noted at the top of this post. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize or I will choose a new winner. Please see my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you have. Good luck!
Heather says
Love the planner. I like to see the month at a glance!
Katie says
I look for clean, simple lines and plenty of room to write.
Dana says
Customization is awesome! But I have yet to splurge on one with such great features.
Jennifer Madigan says
I like two pages per week. After that I love color.
Penny Cox says
A week at a glance with plenty of room for lists! Also a monthly view.
Linda K Foster says
Thursday is my 64th birthday, 11/21 and I need a personal planner more all the time, because of all the things I’ve lost oh how I miss my mind! Thank you for pointing this planner out to us!
Susie Rychlewicz says
What a great give away. I love a paper planner as well. I like using it for both personal and work appointments
vicki says
I also love to see the whole month at a time.
Amy B says
I currently do not use a planner (though I should!) so i’m not certain what to look for. I think lots of space to write on each day, tabs to divide it, colorful and pretty so I want to use it!
Vikki says
I love to see the whole month at once. That way things don’t sneak up on my when I turn the page for the next week. This one looks small enough to be able to tote around. Thank you for the giveaway!
JDeane says
I look for a planner that is fully customizable, and I schedule my work, my husband’s work, and my son’s schedule into every day. I need lots of space for each day because of this. Sometimes, we are going in three directions at once, so I like to have a column for each of us.
Sarah lee says
This sounds awesome!
Amy S says
I’d love this planner to organize my extremely busy work and personal life!
Melody L says
Oh boy. I have yet to find a planner that does the job! We have a big family (6 kids) plus run several businesses and rental properties out of our home office, so I need month at a glance (2 page spread) plus weeks at a glance WITH time segments broken out into hour/half hour/15 minute increments. Add to that a bit of sass and style, and some folders to hold papers and post its, customizeable stickers and a place to jot notes as needed…its definitely a big job…
Sheila says
I like to see the month at a glance as well as a week at a glance with more detail. I’d also like to include more space for meal planning.
Tanna says
I would love this planner! I don’t think I could live without a calendar and get anything accomplished. 🙂
Robin Riley says
I like to have the whole month on a layout with plenty of room to write in each day. LOVE that you can customize these.
Jen says
I love love love paper planners but am always a bit disappointed with the options available. The idea of creating your own planner is wonderful. I need to have access to a full month plus daily appointment space with space to write notes for the day. I also like having space to have planning lists, long term goals and monthly goals.
Mary Beth says
The FIRST thing I look for in a planner is the size. I have to be able to tote it around, comfortably, or I will not use it. It can’t be larger than a 5×7 or it won’t fit in my bag. I like a hard cover and plenty of room for taking notes and of course some ‘scratch paper’ is pretty important too.
Jeanie Haby says
I look for weekly layouts with hourly markings for appointments or blocking out my day for something special. I also love a place for notes at the bottom. I use colored fine point markers for each family member. Favorite colors work well. Red is always appointments to keep. Green is always work ($). Paper and in my face is a must. I lay it out for everyone to see and with three girls and a traveling husband, it is a simple way of us knowing where we are supposed to be.
Joni Mae says
I look for one with simple easy to navigate pages, and overview of each month then each week on two pages. I need the extra space for notes within the days. times are not important to me.
A tab for the months is a big plus. The personalization of these just makes it that much nicer to look at! 🙂
Samantha Cox says
I love a pretty planner with plenty of writing space.
Gretchen says
I would love this planner! I love your blog! I keep up with all of you new posts with bloglovin!
Faith Lohr says
I look for something that shows a Month view, then individual weeks with slots for each day as well as a weekly task list/meal plan section.
Ariana says
I’ve started using digital but there are certain things u miss w my old paper planners!!
Must haves: lie flat; space for todo and shopping lists on every page!
Michelle says
I would love a customizable planner! I love planners but could never find one that suited my needs. I am constantly changing planners throughout the year. 2014 is going to be busy for us with our little one starting school, husband starting a new job and the plans to expand our family. Thank you for sharing the opportunity to win a customizable planner!
Alison Cooper says
I like to see the full month in the front and then each week over the two pages with enough room to note appointments and also keep notes. I do like the customizable covers and colors – can rarely find one that I like.
Katy M. says
Definitely customizable dates and a month view followed by the weeks, to get an overview and then more details.
Thanks for the chance to win one of these awesome planners!
Kristin Helton says
I love the idea of a custom planner! I like to have my longer term plans close at hand, but I need space to chunk my steps to reach those goals.
Debbie says
I would love to win one of these planners! I’ve spent hours this month in the stores looking for a planner that allows plenty of writing space to record all the activities and appointments for our family without it being too cumbersome in size. Lots of space for notes is always a plus! 🙂
Pam says
I’ve tried to convert to electronic planners, but despite my best efforts, i have found, i need to write down my to do’s, grocery lists, and goals for the week. I love that there are multiple size options, typically, they are too small or too small, this co, however it appears has come up with options that are just right to meet various needs! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the info!
Monika S says
I like the vertical daily format with extra room to jot down scribbles.
Jennifer says
This would be SO helpful!!! I generally end up buying a monthly planner and clipping it to the inside of my notebook where I can make lists and take notes. Customizing would be nice.
Taletha says
I look for a planner with plenty of space for notes, a task/to-do list area (that isn’t day or week specific), large days of the week (preferably have the week go over 2 pages) so that I can fit all of my appointments as well as my husbands appointments and school/work schedules, a monthly calendar at the beginning of the month so I can see the “big picture” , and a place to keep receipts if possible. Plus it’s gotta look good and it can’t be too big.
Virginia says
Planners that show the week at a glance, allow plenty of room for entries, and feature a space to write down those appts that are scheduled a year in advance are some of the features that I look for in a planner.
laura rohl says
Spaces big enough to put all of my daily task so I dont have to right down things in another space.
Preety says
they look great..i love something that is simple and easy enough for everyone in my family…]
Teressa Wallace says
I love the idea of designing my own. I like a planner to lay flat & have plenty of space for appointments, tasks & notes for supplies. A two page spread is an added bonus. Thanks so much for sharing these, they look exactly like what I’ve been looking for.
Lisa Loomis says
These are fantastic. I am old fashioned and love to write things out, but most of the time all my plans are on sticky notes posted all over my computer!
Cara B says
I need to see the whole month on a spread and then all the weeks. I wouldn’t buy a planner unless it has the months. I like to see the big picture! 🙂
Heather says
I love having a plan for my day! I absolutely want God to be first in my planner! I want to do His will so I like to have a monthly calendar but also an hourly one. That way I don’t waste time! 🙂