The purpose of this guide is to help explain the different types of calendars that are available, and also to help you understand which one may be best for your needs, or those of a friend or family member.  There are wall calendars, page-per-day boxed calendars, engagement diary calendars or journals, magnetic calendars, plan-it calendars, message board calendars and pocket planners.  Additionally, there are various sizes of many of these types as well, for example (mini wall calendars, mini boxed calendars, etc).  The great thing about calendars is that they make perfect gifts as everyone can use a new calendar each year, and they are reasonably priced!

Wall Calendars:  You know them, you love them.  These calendars are generally 12" x 12" when closed, and 12" x 24" when opened.  Some publishers have slightly different sizing, such as 13.25" x 12", or something similar, but you get the idea.  As the most widely published type of calendar, anything you may want on a calendar is available, from dog breeds, cat breeds, humor, television shows or movies, art calendars (such as Thomas Kinkade), and basically anything else you can imagine.    Retail prices vary between $12.95 - $17.95 dependent on publisher, quality of the artwork, sizing, special features (like DVDs or stickers) and the binding. 

Why buy a wall calendar?  For those who want to keep track of their appointments at home or in an office, this type of calendar is ideal.  Many families post a wall calendar in their kitchen so they can manage school schedules, doctor's appointments and other special occasions.  For those using wall calendars at work, they are great to keep track of office birthdays and other events that you may want to keep separate from home life.

Page-per-Day Boxed Calendars:  These calendars are generally 6" x 5" and also come in many genres to suite any one person's desire.  Many boxed calendars have a unique quote each day or trivia questions, cartoon, or even just a new picture each day to look at.  These calendars are great for your desk and are great gifts for those who are at their desk each day for work or just surfing the internet at home.  The best thing about them is that each day you get a new surprise!  Retail prices are generally between $12.95-$15.95. 

Engagement Diary Calendars:  These calendars are generally about 6.5" x 8" or so, and each open set of pages contains a week to view at a time generally.  This makes for a great planning tool that you can take on the road with you in your purse, briefcase or book bag.  You can purchase these in wire bound with soft covers or you can get book style binding, with hard covers.  All types are very nice, some containing special bonuses like stickers which you can use to mark off special days (most popular for this type is the Mom's Engagement Diary by Avalanche Publishing). 

Why buy an engagement diary calendar?  If you want to get a great gift for someone who loves to stay organized at school or work, or if you like to keep yourself organized in the traditional way and not rely on electronic planners in which data can be easily lost or overlooked.  There are also matching sets of engagment diaries that go along with the same wall calendar.  Purchasing one of each type is the perfect gift for a loved one or friend who wants to remain organized at home or on the road.  Retail pricing is generally slightly higher than wall calendars, and you should expect to pay between $13.95-$21.95 dependent on the binding, quality of artwork, etc.

Pocket Planners:  These calendars/planners are very small, generally about 2" x 6" and can fit into your pocket just like a checkbook.  They are sometimes referred to as "checkbook calendars" or "checkbook planners."  If you want to keep track of your schedule and/or appointments all the time and keep your planner on you easily, this is the calendar for you.  Just like the engagement diaries, you can get these to match your wall or engagement diary as well! Retail prices range from $4.95 - $9.95.

Magnetic Calendars:  Generally the same size as wall calendars (12" x 12" roughly), these are special, because you can put them right on your refrigerator, and also put magnets on it, that come along with the calendar.  These are great planning tools for the entire family, and it allows for your children to help in the planning and organizing of your families activities.  It is a great way to teach responsibility in planning a schedule and learning how to prioritize and manage time.  Retail pricing is between $13.95 - $15.95 generally.

Message Board Calendars:  These calendars are similar to magnetic calendars, except that there is an area on the calendar that is a "white board" which gives room for you, your friends, or your family to write notes and messages on...such as "I fed the dogs", "Love you, see you tonight after work!", etc.  The calendars will come with the marker and an eraser.  Retail pricing is slightly higher than wall calendars, and depending on the size, can vary between $14.95-18.95.

My last piece of advice is to always try to purchase your calendars from a retailer who offers free or highly discounted shipping.  Calendars do not weigh much, so if a retailer is trying to charge more than $4 for ground shipping, they are making money on just the shipping cost.  You should seek out retailers who offer free shipping for ground shipping, and flat-rate shipping for Priority Shipping. 

At Big T Calendars, we offer free ground shipping (domestic) on any sized order, and flat-rate Priority Mail shipping for only $5.95 for any sized order.  So if you are buying your holiday gifts this year, get them all at one time, and you'll get them shipped free and VERY FAST!