Most of us have moved fully to a digital calendar. But, as I moved deeper into digital over the years, I have found that I still love the opportunities that a blank page of paper allow. I'm a visual planner and love creating little check boxes, illustrations of ideas and sketching out a quick flow chart of ideas. So, in conjunction with my phone's digital calendar, I  love to carry a great-looking bound paper notebook.

As another spin on the idea of paper and digital happily co-existing, a good friend of mine looks for a fantastic planner each New Year. Over coffee one morning, I happened to glance at one of her planning pages. The dates were mostly blank, but little notes and photos and pasted scraps filled in many of the calendar's entries. So, with her as inspiration and my love for pretty notebooks, I propose keeping your digital calendar fully organized and intact and consider adding a paper bound version (just for the fun of it... and all of life's little important scraps!).

Here are a few of the best new calendars for the New Year!

The Big Monthly Planner from MochiThings. Yup, t's appropriately named. I would use this as an old-fashioned inspiration scrapbook. Important dates, tear sheets, little jotted down notes and doodles in the margin. 

The Brushstroke Planner from Paper Source is sunny, happy and full of optimistic colors for the new year ahead. (Plus, it has a hidden spiral bound and gold foil on the front. Yes, gold foil always wins.)

I love the bright sunny personal diary/planner from Kikki.K. It's textured leather and has all sorts of fun accessories and pockets inside. Plus, no two planners are the same because each is handmade from natural materials.

Ok, you got me! This Kate Spade notebook isn't really a planner, but it's a gorgeous (only $14!) spiral bound notebook that is sleek, playful and a great carryall for your notes, sketches and moments of inspiration. Just label the page with today's date and call it a planner.

There is NOTHING better than a crisp cold day in early December. EXCEPT... a crackling outdoor campfire, shared with friends and family! Which is why we adore the idea of creating little s'mores baskets for your party guests. Set these, along with big mugs of hot coffee and small cartons of milk, on a buffet table and encourage your guests to roast up a personally made s'more. Chat about the holiday season ahead, compare shopping notes and just enjoy an afternoon of kicking back together. After all, enjoying those you love is what this season is all about. 

(And, if you don't have any outdoor space sufficient to a fire, light up your indoor fireplace or light a flame on your gas stove and toast up a few of these lovely little marshmallows.)