Before I started working my first annual Stationery Trends gift guide last summer, my colleague Carly McFadden pointed out that technically, every issue of Stationery Trends and Gift Shop Plus (and really, any gift trade) is already a gift guide. Thus, my first official Paper Nerd Gift Guide needed boundaries.
I look at and physically review an enormous amount of product for my job. As both a human and a consumer, I’m also mindful of the environment, waste — and not wasting money — so I believe when you buy/gift something, it better be a pleasure to use, and maybe even hold a surprise or two. A stationery, gift or home décor item needs to function well every time you use it, for a long time, luxuriously and consistently tickling whatever senses it is supposed to tickle. That pen needs to fit and function confidently in your hand every time you pick it up, that fragrant tea bouquet must envelop you just so the moment before you take a sip, every time … you get the idea.
Thus for this guide, I have personally experienced (often as a repeat customer) every brand featured. Every last bit of swag has earned not just my hard-won (and occasionally jaded) seal of approval, but it promises to make both your writing and living experiences that much more seamless, positive and enjoyable. And isn’t that the entire point of gifting (and self-gifting)?
My hunch is, a spectacular writing experience from an equally spectacular deskscape is far more likely to generate the kind of card that merits a phone call, or at least a “that is one of the best cards I have ever gotten!” text. Thus, I am featuring the episolatory necessities first, then getting into deskscape accessories.
So, splurge on any these lovelies for yourself, or send them to your favorite paper nerd. Any of these would be perfect paired with stationery and other fun little gifts tailored to the recipient — and wouldn’t you know, I just updated my card wall for exactly this lofty occasion? Please drop by and give it a quick shop.
While I don’t profit off anything purchased through this site’s links, I do try to feature small independent businesses. To them, your business is not just a seal of approval that what they are doing matters, but it literally helps them survive. So without further ado, let’s go!
Once, in my 20s, a boyfriend gifted me with a vintage fountain pen out of the blue, saying, “Every writer needs a pen.” Clearly he’s no longer around, but his advice was sound.
Kaweco STUDENT ballpoint pen 20’s Jazz
If you enjoy sending cards, you are a writer too. If you want someone else to send you cards, they are a writers as well. Thus a good pen is a must anywhere in the equation.
You may be a little surprised to see pens first in this guide. After all, I don’t cover them much (and despite many trade efforts, paper people and pen people do not really vibe, go figure!). Yet as a paper nerd I must concede that quality makes an enormous difference in a pen and to a writing experience.
Doing what I do for a living means that all sorts of packages you weren’t expecting show up on your doorstep. Several holidays ago, Kaweco sent me one its Student Ballpoints. I don’t believe mine is actually still available, it is all red but very similar to those I’m showing — and frankly, the update is sharp!
For several years, it sat unused in its box, as I was already deeply attached to another favorite pen (from a now-defunct Madison Avenue pen store called Rebecca Moss; its owner gifted it to me after I wrote a profile on it so of course it makes me happy each time I see it). Eventually that pen met its everyday usage demise, so I dug this one out.
Over time my ballpoint has become indispensable to me. Nothing else compares, and it needs to be in my hand when I sit down to a meeting or to write a card! While you can order them directly from Kaweco in Germany, sometimes you can track these down locally. For example, I just ordered ink refills for mine from Papillon Press, a bit closer to home.
Sooooo, originally I was planning on featuring my custom ‘from the desk of’ notes. I have already waxed eloquent about them in my Summer 2023 Stationery Trends Editor’s Letter, here’s what they look like.
Like my Kaweco pen, these have become indispensable. I send out lots of birthday cards as well as empathy cards and thank-yous, but flat notes and letter sheets perfectly suit certain other writing needs. This is what I use when I want to thank Paper Fold guests for dropping in, or maybe I have quite a lot to say to one of my nieces when she achieves a milestone — and I want her to really pay attention.
Unfortunately, Rifle has discontinued these for now, which is a real shame because they are the ultimate self-splurge or gift for someone you love. Please give them a shout if you want them to bring these back — and if they do, I’m switching up my look and ordering business cards too.
Rifle, however, does offer two exquisite letter writing sets, replete with 40 letter sheets, 20 A2 pattern-lined envelopes, 20 embossed envelope seals, a letter writing guide so that everything stays even, and — get this — a pen. I am really loving the glorious marble-ized Florence design — it’s definitely trending up! But the English Rose is lovely too. It has the feel of a classic porcelain pattern, updated for today. That die-cut shape of the sheets is definitely divine.
In both sets, the presentation is gorgeous, and promises to be a joy every time you reach for the box.
Over the past five years or so, the envelope has really come into its own as a design object, thank goodness. Adhesive letter seals are very much in vogue as you can see above with Rifle, there are some wax seal purists out there (that process always seems so fun, and this girl does it over washi!), but I am a washi girl through and through (at least for now — that wax video is intriguing).
However, if you adore textiles, design, and illustration, how can you not want to slap a sticky splash of pattern along your letter’s backside to ensure it stays shut? Match it to the stamp, the stationery, the envelope color … one of these days someone will match washi to an envelope liner, and I’ll be first in line to try it!
Over the years I have tried many, many washi tapes, and while most are wonderful, occasionally even an expensive version disappoints. It drives me bananas when it does not pull clean, the roll gets all messed up, and then you have to waste a few precious turns getting everything back on track. Or, it can be maddening to have to search and search for the break, or get the break going once you do — this is one of those things in life that should not be so difficult!
I discovered mt at a trade show, in Sweet Bella’s booth. That wholesale group is run by Nina Allen, who has an incredible eye for international brands (if you are in Manhattan, I believe much of these offerings retail at her Top Hat store), thus, visiting that booth is the gift show version of going to the Met. You just never know what amazing creation from goodness-knows-where you might find.
mt is the original washi masking tape, made in Japan by the 100-year-old company Kamoi Kakoshi. This tape is easy to tear by hand (though I prefer my Crane scissors — I did not buy mine here but anything from Carta is incredible — which also pair well to a washi tape gift!) and reposition on nearly any surface if you change your mind. There are literally hundreds of colors and patterns, as well as several thicknesses.
Finishing a roll can be like finishing a great book, you’re sad to see it end. Fortunately there’s always a new pattern to fall in love with. You may have received a card from me with this design, if so please know I have very fond memories of sending it out from my office as well.
If you are in the trade and want to bring this into your shop, you can shop Sweet Bella on Faire. I’m not a bit surprised that every review is five stars.
Honorable Mention: Suzy Ultman’s Love Washi Tape Set. After she dropped in The Paper Fold podcast, Suzy sent me a set of these, and what’s not to love? Her illustrations and lettering are irresistible, It’s priced very well, and that holder can be reused. My only qualm is that I want three rolls of each of the ‘love’ and ‘pencils’ designs. The others are nice enough and they do look lovely as a sextet, but those other two were just spectacular to use.
Great news friends, here’s the best $20 you will spend this entire season. Chances are you are familiar with Nathalie Lété’s work, even if you don’t know her name. For quite some time, her enchanting creatures have achieved a certain ubiquity at Anthropologie — where indeed, you can find not just this this book, but fabulous shower curtains, tabletop pieces, a bathmat, an apron, a ceramic lamp, even an oven mitt.
Wherever you shop it, this sticker book is a treasure to peruse — and elevates the entire concept with layouts this magazine editor envies. It is a joy to lose yourself in page after incredible page. Even the endpapers between sticker spreads are dynamic and sweet.
The illustrations include favorites like Mushrooms to Dancing Butterflies, plus new designs specifically made for this book. While these would be utterly amazing on envelopes, I think it would be really fun to snip some coordinating designs to tumble from your card too.
I haven’t actually used any stickers yet — though I have marveled through the title several times, always discovering something new. This is such a fantastic, fantastical object to examine. Apparently I need to stare at it for at least another six months before I actually use a sticker!
Tea drinking and card writing really go hand in hand. Both epitomize slow living in their own way — and as such, doing both activities blend beautifully. I am a versatile tea drinker — sometimes I enjoy the process of loose leaf, other times I just want to use a bag and call it a day. Either way, Tea Forté has got you covered.
Its signature tea bags definitely stand apart thanks to their shape — and that sweet leaf, which stands straight up, while helpful for removing the bag, also just looks so cool, no? Other bags are definitely square.
Tea Forté was generous enough to send me the above, and both its presentation and product are top-notch. My favorite so far is the Black Currant. It is sweet, it is dynamic, it is surprising — not unlike receiving an unexpected card!
I also received the above, full of 15 loose-leaf, single-use servings that live up to their Warming Joy name. There’s three of each blend: Raspberry Ganache, Sweet Orange Spice, Cherry Marzipan, Harvest Apple Spice, and Winter Chai. Again, the presentation is top notch — and if you are used to sending and using boxes of stationery, it’s a joy to mix one of these in!
Tea Forté also gifted me the infuser above, and I’ve really been enjoying using it for an afternoon cup at my desk. (I am doing so right now in fact!) It is luxe, it is cozy, and sometimes a tasty sip of hot flavor is exactly what I need during a Zoom call. Also, I love the idea of pairing a more lasting gift with something that is to be consumed and will eventually run out.
If you go to a lot of gift shows, lip balm is one of those things you tend to leave market with several samples of from different brands. That was how I received mine from Poppy & Pout at Shoppe Object last winter. It took me a while to actually open up and use — but when I did, it completely blew my mind as it elevates the entire category, not just in form, but function too.
Everything is all natural and cruelty-free, and every time you uncap, you get a big splash of whatever scent is being luxuriously slathered on your lips from an ethically sourced beeswax base.
However, my favorite part is its recyclable, cardboard tubes. There is no plastic here, period, down to this brand’s shipping methods. It warms this cold paper nerd’s heart to see young brands redefining familiar (wasteful) forms with such smart charm!
Clearly, when I am writing, I like to have sumptuous distractions at arms length to toy with as I ponder a phrase or whatnot — and it’s very difficult to accomplish anything, let alone strong copy, with chapped lips. For gifting, I really like this handy tool to build a custom lip balm bundle. Choose from a 3-, 5- or 10-pack!
I usually pass up most press releases sent to hundreds of editors, but this one intrigued me. A vibrant, color-shifting square, well that’s got to be on my desk! My cube is a joy to look at from different angles — and nerds, these are actually tools to learn about color theory and the science of light.
These 21st-century Rubiks Cubes are also proving to be quite popular with the younger generation, garnering over 150 million views (so far!) across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
These actually make great gifts for men and non-writers, who also sit at desks and need to be distracted. I was actually sent these cubes in two sizes, and my husband (who works in finance) took the smaller one to work with him, and he liked the smaller size better than the bigger one (not sure I understand exactly why). Now I’m kicking myself for not hiding it and giving it to him later.
The day I finally saw this brand in person and met its founder Silvina De Vita off a Zoom call, well it was a memorable one — and I already wrote all about it in my NY NOW market report at the beginning of 2024. Isn’t Silvina adorable?? She crafts marvelous worlds in miniature, every last one a joy to get lost in.
As you can see above, this product is TINY. I could not get a decent shot of it with my iPhone to save my life. And that is part of what makes every creation from this British house of papercutting so divine!
There are also kits like you see above, and be still my heart, nearly any miniature can be converted into a necklace. The potential is astounding — and if you get confused, just drop Silvina a line and she’ll get you sorted out straightaway.
Thank you for reading this far! I sincerely hope you check out these brands as well as take a quick gander at my Card Wall as you begin your shop — and that plastic gift cards are officially now off the table. Your friends + family — and of course you — deserve much better!
