Different planners for 2026, and how likely you are to actually use them

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MANILA, Philippines — It’s that time of year again — the holiday rush, the gift hunting, and the annual quest for the planner you’ll be facing 2026 with.

Let’s be honest: planners only ever meet three fates: actually being used, being used halfway, then tucked safely in a drawer, or rewrapped as a “brand new” gift for someone else.

Sounds bad? Maybe not. Most planners don’t make it to the first category simply because they weren’t built for the person using them. The right one isn’t always the most hyped in the market, but something that matches your pace, habits, and kind of productivity. 

So before you pick up another planner, here’s a quick look at which 2026 edition might actually work for you, based on your preferences.

Starbucks Siren Planner

Now in its 23rd year, Starbucks continues its holiday tradition with the 2026 Traditions Collection. This season’s theme, “Invite Joy,” leans into the cozy, familiar warmth of the coffeehouse experience with art pages designed by local artists within the new planner.

At the center of the lineup is the Siren Planner, with a more refined and functional upgrade. It comes in a small, handy leatherback format with siren-themed, embossed details on the front. Inside, the minimalist planner keeps things simple but organized: a monthly view, a monthly checklist, a weekly layout, plus freehand dotted pages you can use for journaling, habit-tracking, or brain dumps.

Another new touch this year is the standalone leather holder — no longer attached to the planner itself — which makes it easier to slip your planner in and out and keeps it protected inside your bag. The pockets and sleeves inside are convenient to store your cards, files, documents, and photos in.

Likely to use? If you’re not a Starbucks regular, the 18-sticker hunt might feel like more work. But if you already have a caffeinated routine going, this could be an extra treat.

Limelight PH 365 Days Planner

For those looking for local, vibrant stationery, Limelight’s 2026 collection has new colorful options.

The 365 Days, 365 Stories: The Unwritten Travels edition spices up planning with a little adventure. Available in eight colors inspired by cities like Tokyo, Sydney, and Dubai, every pretty cover is designed to make you feel as if you were traveling not just across countries, but within yourself.

Inside, you’ll find 216 dotted pages filled with travel features like monthly travel goals, places-to-visit lists, mood and savings trackers, postcard pages, fun facts about different countries, a mini scrapbook section, and even gift-and-souvenir idea pages.

Likely to use? At P249 for the mini and P365 for the A5, Limelight checks the boxes for a planner who prioritizes personality and affordability. The cover is sturdy, and the papers are of quality material.

Belle de Jour (BDJ) 2026 Planner

BDJ’s 2026 Big Dreams Journey Planner sticks to what it does best: “turning dreams into action.”

Inside the women-centric planner, you’ll find not only monthly and weekly views but “dream tools” that guide you in setting goals, building habits, and checking in with yourself. And if you find a menstrual tracker useful, this planner dedicates a page to help you stay in sync with your cycle.

You can also choose between dated and undated versions. Both include a calendar and dedicated pages for notes and reflection, and the undated one gives you blank headers for the month and days so you can begin whenever you want. 

This empowering planner also comes with a sturdy gray carrier with two spacious pockets on either side (for receipts, stickers, or other important notes) and a built-in ribbon marker so you can easily keep track of your current page.

Likely to use? At P896, this one’s for goal-oriented planners or those simply thinking of a holiday gift for a loved one, as you can have the cover customized with their name.

Papemelroti 20216 Pocket Planner

Feel like planners aren’t your thing, but still want one? Papemelroti’s pocket-sized 2026 planner reminds you that less is more.

Made from 100% recycled paper, they highlight Pinoy-inspired designs like a bahay kubo (nipa hut) and a pedicab, as well as empowering quotes and Bible verses. While the covers are multi-colored, the inside keeps it simple with black-and-white calendars and a reminder list.

As for those looking for undated versions, Papemelroti has a quirky pocket planner series with a more spacious calendar layout (without the reminder list) and a short inspiring quote at the bottom.

Likely to use? For only P35, this compact planner is perfect for those who don’t need the weight of many pages or the pressure of lengthy goal-oriented tabs. So if you’re not the type to dive deep into heavy scheduling or detailed lists, this is a convenient choice.

MUJI 2026 Monthly/Weekly Planner

For the minimalist planners, MUJI’s 2026 Monthly/Weekly Planner is a crowd-favorite — and its variety of options and colors are available at its newest branch in Estancia Mall, Pasig City.

The covers come in either faux suede or the newest vinyl material. Colors include light brown, vivid red, black, white, and the latest mustard. They come in landscape or portrait orientations, in sizes A6, AB, and HB6.

The planner contains a two-page layout: a monthly calendar on one side and a weekly spread with grid pages on the other. The yearly overview lets you see the months clearly, and the dated pages begin in December 2025, so you can immediately start without waiting for January.

Likely to use? At P325, this planner is designed for those who like simple, straightforward layouts, where checking daily tasks and scheduled events feels easier on the eye than wading through cluttered pages.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen PH 2026 Planner

For those who want both form and function, Flying Tiger’s 2026 planner lineup has muted nude tones for low-key planners and gradient or floral covers for those who like a splash of color on their desk.

Inside, you’ll see a yearly overview of 2026 and 2027, habit trackers with grid tabs (so you can simply mark a check or highlight a box once you’ve done a task), bulleted wish lists, goal planning sections (a page for noting your goals and another for “steps to get there”), and diary spaces. 

They also follow a journal-style format: each daily page has lined space for thoughts, a small to-do list, a “today’s goals” box, and even a mood tracker at the bottom, making it more like a reflection page than a strict planning spread.

There’s also variety in size: pocket-sized versions for easy noting, A5 planners for a more structured scheduling, and larger desk planners for a full week’s view.

Likely to use? Ranging from P200 to P450, Flying Tiger offers a wide variety of layouts, cover designs, and sizes for every kind of planner; whether you’re jotting down schedules or just want to write.

The Paper Bunny 2026 Planner

More than a calendar, The Paper Bunny’s 2026 Planner gives reflection space on the page.

The lifestyle and stationery brand from Singapore opened its first overseas branch in Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City last November. Aside from its contemporary collection of puffer bags, totes, phone accessories, caps, clothes, keychains, and more, The Paper Bunny’s planner selection is also a favorite among patrons.

Available in regular and compact sizes, the planners are bound in vegan leather and come in six designs. Their new weekly layout highlights weekly focus and “gratitude of the day” sections, while the monthly spreads include extra room for notes.

There are also guided pages: vision board, yearly goals, self-ca​​re check-ins, and milestone reflections, encouraging you to balance introspection and work.

Likely to use? With the compact at P1,900 and the regular at P,2050, this planner leans on the pricier side for those searching for budget-friendly options. But if you want to invest more in your writing, this one’s ideal for both planning and journaling.

At the end of the day, the best planner isn’t the one with the most pages or the prettiest cover, but the one you’ll actually want to open and keep opening throughout the next year. — Steph Arnaldo and Jaella Magno/Rappler.com

Jaella Magno is a Rappler intern studying AB Literature major in Creative Writing at De La Salle University.

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