It's a date: 10 best diaries

They come in all shapes and sizes and range from discreet to eye-catching orange calfskin. With one of these diaries, you need never miss an appointment

1. British Museum diary

This discreet, black soft-back diary embossed with the British Museum logo includes historical information about the museum and a world map as well as the usual diary pages. All purchases go towards supporting the museum.

£5.99, britishmuseumshoponline

2. Getting personal diary

This sweet hardback diary makes a nice gift if you have anyone to buy for soon. Recipients get their name on the front and you can include a message on the back. Comes in two sizes. One for teens with a hectic social life.

From £7.99, gettingpersonal

3. Persimmon croc calfskin Organise-Us diary

These smart diaries come in three sizes, in a range of colours and with a choice of leather or pellaq (a snazzy covering which looks like expensive reptile leather, but without the pricetag) covers. We particularly like this bright orange calfskin one – you definitely won't lose it in your bag. The whole range is currently reduced by 50 per cent.

From £19.98, organise-us

4. Paper blanks Mosaïque Midi

This diary's striking cover is inspired by an 18th-century Parisian design. As well as looking stylish it comes with a useful removable address book.

£7.79, temptationgifts

5. Dodo Pad

The Dodo Pad's been going strong for 48 years and describes itself as a "memo-doodle-engagement-weekly-planner-diary-organiser-message-ment book". What that means is it's a handy spiral-bound weekly planner and diary with quirky illustrations, eccentric and inspiring quotes from history and lots of space to doodle. It comes in pocket, desk or wall size. Students might find the Acad-Pad version useful, too.

From £8.99, dodopad

6. Paperchase lace flexi diary

Ideal for those with chocka lives, this pretty linen-cover A5 diary from the high-street stationers has a day-to-a page format. It has a flexible spine too, a little thing, but it makes penning in those social engagements that bit easier.

£12, paperchase

7. Wildlife Photographer of the Year desk diary

The Natural History Museum's annual exhibition celebrating the year's best nature photography always draws in the crowds, for good reason. This hardback, slightly- bigger-than-A5 diary contains 50 of the stunning images along with info on how and where they were taken.

£9, amazon

8. Hope House personalised leather diaries

These leather diaries are a bit special; hand-made to order in Leicestershire, they come in a range of sizes, leather colours, with a choice of diary formats and font styles. We think the pleasingly blocky "Poster Print" style is particularly cool for a personalised pressie.

From £40, hopehousepress

9. Muji paperback recycled diary

A no-frills option from the Japanese masters of simple design, this paperback diary does its job without taking up too much space in a bag or pocket.

£4.95, muji

10. Cath Kidston diary

This diary is an example of Cath Kidson's practical but pretty products. With week listings on the left and a whole page for notes on the right and a plastic cover with pocket and popper closure, it's ideal for anyone with complex social arrangements – or busy family members – to manage.

£15, johnlewis