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.
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!
