This time of year we often feel behind on everything—projects, emails, gift wrapping, cleaning, even basic hygiene—but somehow we’re ahead in one area: our homemade family calendar is already finished.
For the past five years we’ve created a simple, colorful calendar in Photoshop. Readers often ask when the new version will be ready. Since we like to share a customizable template for anyone who needs a last-minute gift, I’m happy to say the calendar is done and available.
Our calendar isn’t meant to replace a detailed, note-filled planner (that’s what Sherry’s desktop calendar is for). Instead, it’s a warm, cheerful month-at-a-glance you can hang on the wall or keep on the fridge to smile at while checking dates or counting down to events. Each year we include small personal touches: inside jokes, family stats, Clara photos and quotes. This year we leaned into that style again with a refreshed design and a format that fits standard 8.5 x 11 paper so there’s no need to trim any excess.
Designing around 8.5 x 11 gives more room for the dates and allows a larger image area: a 4 x 4″ photo space. That size conveniently matches common print options from popular photo-print services, so if you prefer professional prints over home-printed photos you can order 4 x 4 prints and adhere them to the template. We ordered through a print service this year and left gray placeholder boxes in our drafts until the prints arrived.
We also simplified the template to make it easier to customize: fewer layers if you’re editing the Photoshop version, and a PDF alternative if you prefer to write in your own quotes. You can add photos digitally or attach real 4 x 4″ prints to the page for a tactile, crafted feel.
Download options:
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- If you can edit .PSD files, download the Photoshop version with editable text in the quote area (you may need to install the two fonts used: Adamas and Multicolore).
- If Photoshop isn’t your thing, download the PDF version with a blank quote area so you can handwrite your own captions.
Both formats require you to add your own photos—either digitally before printing or physically by attaching 4 x 4″ prints after printing the calendar pages. Using real prints gives a nice texture and lets you create a keepsake calendar that still looks clean and modern.
Printing tips: use a heavier paper stock (80–100 lb / 200–270 gsm) for a more durable calendar, and choose a matte finish if you plan to write on the dates with a pen. If you order 4 x 4 prints from a photo lab, check that their color profile matches your images to avoid unexpected shifts. If you rely on your home printer, test one page first to confirm color and alignment.
Assembly ideas: hole-punch the top center and hang with twine or ribbon, clip pages with a magnetic clipboard for fridge display, or bind the pages with a small coil at a local print shop. These simple finishing touches make the calendar feel more intentional and gift-worthy.
This year we paired Instagram-style photos with Clara’s quotes for each month, and it made us wish the year had more than twelve months—Clara is endlessly quotable. Below we also included the quotes and images we used for our twelve months, both for inspiration and to give you a sense of how the finished pages look as a set.
What are your calendar plans for next year? Do you have a favorite source you return to each year, or do you prefer a planner that’s all function with lots of space to scribble? Maybe you like a decorative wall calendar that’s mainly for quick date checks, or perhaps everything lives on your phone. Whether you’re fully digital or somewhere in between, a printable family calendar can be a meaningful, low-cost way to share memories and stay organized.