I'm not a huge fan of the subscription model, where you're forced to spend money on things you might not want on a monthly basis. But, I do think that companies that offer subscription services are great curators. Companies like OliveBox and Imperial Tea Court offer one-off purchases, so that you can gift the stationary or tea aficionado with a grab-bag assortment of goodies. Or, if you want your gift to last a little longer, some companies like Zingerman's offer short subscription options so your recipient can enjoy artisan vinegar for half a year or sample cheese on a quarterly basis.
Wherever you are in a relationship today, there's a card that's appropriate, so there's no excuse, just embrace it! Happy Valentine's Day! xx
I've always loved little things, especially little animals. A few years back, my good friend Christina gave me a worry doll--a tiny, hand-crafted, colorful doll from Guatemala. Children who are having a hard time sleeping because of their worries place the tiny doll under their pillows before going to sleep. According to folklore, the doll worries instead of the child, allowing the child to sleep peacefully.
Have a friend who has an upcoming big day, performance, presentation or test? For a modern twist on the Guatemalan tradition, gift a tiny little crochet animal from SuAmi and a good luck note, like this one from Benchpressed.
If you're not a mushy mushy kind of person, I get it, and I feel ya. Tomorrow is just not one of those holidays you get excited about. But, I think you still need to express yourself, just not in the Hallmark kind of way. So, take a cue from these sassy pants cards. Powerandlight's library card is pretty awesome and somewhat interactive. Plus, it takes me back to the day when I learned about the Dewey decimal system, and holding hands was a big step in a relationship. I actually purchased the below card a few years ago for my Valentine. It's from Paisley Dog Press, and it's just perfect for your programmer boyfriend or just someone who gets nerdy jokes.
For anyone who knows me (and it doesn't have to be particularly well), they know I'm a stationary enthusiast. Call me
old-fashioned, but I hope the tradition of writing and mailing
handwritten letters to loved ones never dies. I hope it's never replaced
by email, or worse, a text. In my ideal world, Lucida handwriting will
never compete with real handwriting (but nice try, Microsoft); and
"Inbox (1)" will never compete with the excitement of feeling and seeing
an envelope (addressed by hand, of course) in your mailbox. Handwritten
letters show thoughtfulness -- everything was selected for a reason.
From the card to the font (cursive or print?) to the stamp (Liberty Bell
or one of my favorites, King & Queen?).
So, a few years ago, I was ecstatic when I discovered Lea Redmond's world's smallest post service. A couple months ago, I used Lea's service to send my boyfriend a tiny tiny letter, which arrived in a tiny envelope, and was decorated with a tiny stamp and wax seal. The package also included a magnifying glass (for those who need a little help reading the tiny treasure). While the tiny letter has a not-so-tiny-price tag ($9), I think the price is justified. The letter itself could be considered a gift. I can confidently say that your recipient won't be throwing away this birthday card!
