These days, the idea of carrying around a datebook, desk calendar or personal agenda likely seems archaic. But although there are endless ways to plan and document your days in digital form, there is just something gratifying about recording an appointment or meeting on paper.

Call us old fashioned, but scrawling out a last-minute reminder — on actual paper — somehow adds an additional layer of commitment to a deadline or dinner.

While desk calendars are themselves no novel invention, the nearing new year might have you rethinking your organizational strategy. If that's the case (and if you haven’t already committed to a trusty sidekick) then take a peek at the few we've rounded up below.

Here's looking at you, 2012:

Pocket-friendly prioritization

Poketo’s Perfect Mini Planner is just that — compact, efficient, durable and good-looking to boot. With a plastic cover and a handful of playfully modern designs to choose from, this little book lives up to its name. Also, its open format (it only lists days of the week, you fill in the numbers) is good for those who like a little less structure.

If you like the look and feel of these little guys but need something a little bigger, check out their Tomorrow Planners. A little larger, but equally as awesome.

Leather lovely

If you’re looking to invest in a datebook of the more evergreen (read: reusable) variety, then a classic Kate Spade organizer might be your answer. The Tudor City Large Debra is both elegant and functional. I can personally vouch for the fact that these stand the test of time as the one I have has held up for nearly 10 years.

All you need to do is purchase the refill pages each year (which are always cleverly designed around a fun theme). Plus, you can customize it however you want — post-it pages, zip pouches — you name it.

Old faithful

It’s no surprise that the purveyor of the classic and clean notebook, Moleskine, makes a sleek and simple planner. Although there are countless styles, sizes, colors and versions (daily, weekly, monthly) available, the Large Vertical Weekly Planner is the logical middle ground. The pages are dated from January 2012 through December 2012, and each two-page spread features one week — straightforward and functional.

Spiral-bound simplicity

This recycled leather option gets points for both sustainability and style. Similar to the Moleskine in its weekly layout, this 2012 Moss Datebook has a little added bonus: stickers. Cute and colorful, the stickers add an interactive element to your calendar, making ticking off those to-dos just that much more fun.

Non-traditional notes

Based on the “Action Method” developed by the Behance team, the hard-cover Action Journal was designed with the creative professional in mind.

Falling more within the lines of a notebook than a calendar, the Action Journal features unique page layouts that provide plenty of creative freedom to plan your day but emphasize actionable items and task accomplishment. Oh, and it’s created using 100 percent sustainable materials.

Did we miss your favorite? Share your tips and tricks for staying organized in the comments below.