I’ve always enjoyed giving and receiving calendars and planners as holiday gifts. With the new year approaching, I put together an early roundup of my favorite 2018 calendars and planners so you can get a head start. This selection pulls together a variety of styles—minimal, bold, photo-driven—and includes many handmade finds from Etsy. Below are 36 curated picks I loved for 2018.
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2018 Calendars — Highlights
This year I shortlisted 18 calendars (18 for 2018!). The collection includes wall calendars, desk calendars, and artful illustrated options. A few standouts for me were:
- Living the Dream — an optimistic, art-forward calendar with playful illustrations and a positive vibe for each month.
- Need Supply Minimal Calendar — a clean, minimal design that puts typography and white space at the center; ideal for a modern home or office.
The list covers a range of prices and aesthetics, from hand-printed and indie options to polished mass-market designs. I favored durable formats with thoughtful layouts and clear month-at-a-glance pages, which make planning easy while still looking great on the wall or desk.
2018 Planners — Highlights
There are 18 planners in the roundup as well. I use planners to track daily tasks, appointments, and goals, so I focused on functional layouts and well-designed covers. Favorites included:
- Tictail planners — bold typography and graphic covers make these stand out; the internal layouts balance space for notes and schedule tracking.
- Urban Outfitters photo planner — a planner with customizable photo covers and a visually driven design, great for gifting or personal use.
Other planners in the selection range from pocket-sized daily organizers to weekly/ monthly formats with extra note pages or habit trackers. I looked for quality paper, clear printing, and covers that feel durable enough for a year of use.
How I Picked These
My criteria for selection were simple:
- Design that feels intentional and useful — strong typography, clear calendars, and well-organized pages.
- Durability — sturdy bindings or tear-off formats that hold up through a year of daily use.
- Affordability and variety — a range of price points and styles so there’s something for different tastes and budgets.
Many of the picks come from small makers on Etsy, which means unique designs and the chance to support independent artists. I also included a few boutique and retailer options for wider availability.
Gift Ideas and Uses
Calendars and planners make thoughtful, practical gifts—especially at the end of the year. Here are a few ways to choose the right one:
- For a creative friend: choose an illustrated or photo calendar that doubles as wall art.
- For someone who loves structure: pick a planner with daily or hourly layouts and sections for goals and to-dos.
- For minimalists: select a simple, typography-driven calendar or planner with generous white space.
Planners are also great for tracking fitness, meal planning, or side projects. If you’re unsure, a versatile weekly planner with note space is often the safest bet.
Which Ones Do You Like?
I’d love to hear which designs catch your eye. Do you prefer minimal calendars, illustrated wall calendars, or photo-based planners? Are there any other calendars or planners I should add to my list? Share your favorites.
Thanks for reading—happy planning and happy new year!