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!
Jennifer says
I like the ability to customize and I like plenty of space to write in.
Trina W. says
I would love to have a planner that I could customize! I need lots of room to make notes and the ability to make it work for my own needs! This looks like the perfect planner!
Tina M says
I no longer use a paper planner simply because I couldn’t find one that fit all my needs. So right now I use my Outlook calendar and to-do/list keeper apps. I love paper, however, and would love to create a planner that actually meets my needs. With three very active school-age kids I have a lot to keep track of!
susie says
These are so cute! I have not used one very much, but this would be better than scraps of paper!
Jessie says
It needs to be simple…no ‘fluff’…no need for extra quotes or fancy artwork, just calendar space and space for to do lists & reminders.
Blythe says
I need LOTS of space to write in my planner — I like to keep my to-do lists, appointments, and birthdays all in one place.
Cathy Holden says
Love the idea of being able to customise these! I was very used to having a proper planner when working in a corporate job and I SO miss having something that caters for personal and ‘work’ goals, to-dos, appointments etc. If I don’t win please post the details of the company so I can order one for myself 🙂 Thank you.
Cathy says
Oops – found them in the UK!
Kelly says
I like my planner to have a monthly calendar and daily calendars that allow room for me to make lists and check off tasks!!
Melanie says
I have not found the planner that I love yet. Every year I struggle through finding the right one so I’d love to get the opportunity to see if this could be the one! 🙂
Jaime says
I like my planner to be organized by week with spaces for my need to get done, should get done, and fun to get done boxes per day!
It would be a miracle if I found a planner that I would use all year round!
Pamela says
I love “Week-at-a-Glance” planners. But not overly detailed — I don’t need the 15-minute increment planners. I’ve struggled to find one that I love, so perhaps this customizable one is the ticket!
Michelle says
I am definitely a paper planner kind of person. I don’t really require a detailed (i.e. spaces for every hour or half hour in the day) kind of planner, but I really need to be able to see my week at a glance and have enough room to jot down the few daily appointments, obligations and tasks that I need to accomplish.
Karla Meachem says
LOVE, love, love the idea of a personalized planner…right down to the details of designing the cover and back page…personalization ROCKS!!! Love that a planner can reflect ‘me’ and my personality!
There are so many things I look for in a planner, but one thing that is a must is heavier pages, so that I can use different colors of markers…I don’t want the writing to smudge or bleed through to the other pages. I use different colors for my family, appointments and blogging, so that I can see at a glance what is upcoming.
I need to look at this site further…if I could incorporate some extras inside this personalized planner for blogging, it would be perfect…just to have everything all in one planner would be priceless!!
Amber says
These planners look amazing! I am always looking for more space to write notes for each day. I also look for tabs so I can easily look back at previous weeks or months.
I too love a paper planner that I can take with me wherever I go! For an online calendar, I find that Cozi offers a really user friendly format and I have actually gotten my husband to use our family calendar. He would never previously write down his appts, etc. I still like having both an online and paper planner for my to-do lists. There is something so gratifying about crossing off an item that is complete, that I just don’t get from deleting it from an online calendar!
Thank you again for the always valuable information!
ElaineDavis says
I like my planner to show the week on a full page spread, with room for the day’s appointments/commitments, the day’s to-do list, and the week’s menu. At the back I like space for grocery lists & journaling. Thanks for the opportunity!
Jenny says
I need a planner that I can keep track of the schedule for multiple people, a spot to write notes, and at least a week at a glance. Thanks!
Melissa Russo says
Love a paper planner – feel accomplished checking off activities, etc. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Kim says
I look for a simple to use, easy to read, yet delightful/cheerful looking planner. I use my planner to write grocery lists, plan events, track calories/exercise, and for journaling how my day went. To be able to customize a planner to my needs is absolutely perfect for my lifestyle.
Amber says
To be honest, I don’t use a personal planner, but need to and have been wanting to. I used one in college, but that was a long time ago! So I am not sure what I would want in a planner for sure since my life has changed so much.
Chris says
Sunday through Saturday set-up. Some are not like this.
Laura M says
I like a planner that has a space alloted to meal planning in each day of the week. Also, one that has a shopping list for each week so I put what to buy based on the meals for that week..
Beth says
I would love to win one if these. I love the idea if all digital but my brain needs some pen and paper. I need a week at a glance page with notes room at the bottom of each day for a to do list and a month at a glance. Pockets incorporated would make it super functional for me. If I could add my husband’s fire schedule that would be awesome!!!
Katie says
I have looked and looked at the planners in the stores around and I have yet to find
one that I really like.
My favorite part to use would be the columns to write in, but you also have the calendar at a glance.
Stephanie says
I like a monthly page and a weekly page with lots of space. It has to be sturdy too
Cindy Morgan says
This planner looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it! And what a great holiday gift idea too. I’ve never been able to find a planner that was exactly the layout that I needed, and my IPhone calendar doesn’t fit the bill. I also like to jot things down on paper.
Kim T says
I love my paper planner!!!! I need space for every day to write down to do’s.but in a monthly format 🙂
Jessica says
I need a small planner that will fit in my purse, but still have enough room to do daily to do lists. I also like to have a monthly view, not just week by week.
Thea says
I like to be able to have both a weekly view and a month view in the planners I use.
kristen lila says
I look for enough space to write in daily tasks, and pages/space for ongoing “to do” list, stuff gota pick up at store…. space for work/home tasks…. almost like a mini home/family binder built in in to my planner in ONE space! 🙂
Cathy H. says
I love the idea of a customizable planner. I can never find one that will fit all my needs! I would love to have the month at a glance, along with a daily chart for to-do lists, along with room for upcoming projects and I love the idea of having all my address in my planner too! I always keep my planner in my purse and would love to have everything in one place!
Debbie says
Thank-you for such a great give a way! I am so picky about my planner! It was interesting to see that so many of your readers myself included love the old fashion paper planners.
I am a girl that has to see the whole month at a time. Those planners are very hard to find.
For the last couple of years I have bought the very last one at office depot. I guess they don’t make as many of those and I am lucky when I get it! This is such a great gift idea too!
Dawn says
I need daily slots for appointments and monthly for big pictures stuff. A place to write goals would help me stay motivated, instead of the Post-It note I re-write each week. Then again…I do love Post-Its 🙂
Jill says
I like space to write my list for each day. From activities and to do lists to grocery lists and appointments, I just want space for all of that. And an address book option is really appealing to me.
Christie says
With a 6 month old baby i can’t function without a planner! I look for lots of space to write my many appointments and meetings and extra space for lists and notes. And of course a place for a photo of my daughter!!!
Eryn Sluiter says
I am always struggling to find the perfect planner. I have found that I am enjoying the full month model. I am so excited to look at this site!!!!
Hilda says
I always need enough space for both my scheduled appointments and my tasks. This planner looks great! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
Tracey says
While high tech is great, I rely on a paper planner, too. Customizing one is even better!
LOVE the idea of days as lists (with free space at the bottom) instead of the usual blocks because it logically follows the left to right flow of a wall-type calendar…and is how I picture a week in my head!
A great planner has extra note pages at the back. Also wonderful would be a slash pocket in the back and/or front for storing important bits of loose paper, like notes and receipts. For now, I use a good old paperclip for that.
Also – I cut off the bottom corner of each new week, so I can flip quickly to it when I pull it out of my purse. If the corners came perforated, this would be even easier!
Amanda May says
I am very picky when it comes to planners, i want a weekly calendar, without times on it. just want plain lines! As the world is going to electronic calendars I still want a good paper planner!!!!
Amanda says
I would love to be able to customized, I like to have lots of space to write.
Christina Neumann says
I need spaces big enough to write stuff in.