*UPDATED 1/2/19 with new boxes and additional stationery items! Removed out of date links.*
This year, instead of asking for one or two things, I’ve put some subscription boxes on my Christmas wish list. It’s not just a single gift but one that just keeps on giving throughout the year.
I probably have enough stationery to last me a lifetime but I don’t care. I love having a variety to choose from. And let’s not talk about my fountain pen collection.
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Unfortunately, I also have a short attention span. My husband says I have ADOS (Attention Deficit…Ooo Shiny). Some you of you might relate. Even if you don’t, having a variety from which to choose –whether stationery or fountain pens — is never a bad thing. It keeps you on your toes and your outlook fresh.
Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
[iconheading type=”h2″ style=”fa fa-question color+#ef43b0″]So, What Are Subscription Boxes Anyway?[/iconheading]A subscription box contain a variety of products related to a particular theme, like stationery, and are delivered to you. Most boxes are monthly, although I’ve seen some that are bi-monthly or once every three months. Many services will allow you to pre-pay for 3, 6, or 12 months or you can opt for a monthly bill. It’s nice to have options, isn’t it?
I’m focusing on stationery in this post but you can subscription boxes for almost anything imaginable, e.g. books, dog toys, makeup, food. So if you want one for yourself but your significant other is a bit of a geek, there’s a subscription box for that!
To keep people coming back, many subscription box services keep their box items a secret. Well, you’ll know it’s part of a theme but not what the exact items are. It’s a bit of a surprise, really, which is part of the fun.
[iconheading type=”h2″ style=”fa fa-gift” color=”#ef43b0″]The Gift That Keeps On Giving[/iconheading]There are more subscription boxes than you can shake a stick at but the following services are stationery or fountain pen-themed. It’s hard to pick a favorite as they all look so fun! You may want to look at each and review past boxes to see if they’re a good fit for the person you’re gifting it to (which maybe yourself!).
[iconheading type=”h4″ style=”fa fa-flag” color=”#000000″]United States[/iconheading]Although these subscription boxes are based in the USA, many will ship overseas. I did try to find a few subs for my friends in Australia but I didn’t find any. *oh the horrors!* I’ll mark the ones that ship internationally so you know which ones will send the box overseas.
iPenBox – How can you not love a company whose tagline is “I think, therefore I pen”?! And they send out a great choice of fountain pens, pencils, notebooks, and inks each month. Definitely a great box for the fountain pen enthusiast in your life. (hint hint, dear husband!). Ships worldwide.
Penspiration and/or Stationery Box by Cloth & Paper – Choose from pen/pencil option or a planner/stationery option (or both!) from Cloth & Paper. It’s also giveable as a gift. Ships worldwide.
SCRIBEdelivery – Pens, notebooks, and stationery items. Fountain pens have been included in their past boxes. Good reviews on Cratejoy. Get 11% off your first box with Coupon Code MARKET (as per their store marketing copy). Gift option on checkout page. Ships worldwide.
Birmingham Pen Company Pen Parcel – No collection of stationery is complete without a good supply of ink. If that’s what it takes to add to your growing hoard collection of stationery, then this is the box for you! The Pen Parcel comes in many flavors, from just ink samples all the way up to a big box of ink, pens, and paper. USA only. *NEW
Paper Kitty – A box full of unique and cute stationery to scratch that “kawaii” itch that we all sometimes get. Monthly themes. Worldwide shipping. *NEW
Pretty Paper Club – Personalized stationery? Yes, please! Sets include personalized letterhead, pens, washi, and lots more. USA only. *NEW
Moustache Stationery – 4 to 8 high-end and popular stationery items sent monthly. Ships worldwide. Excellent reviews on Cratejoy. Go to their website for a free shipping code. Gift option on checkout page.
Olive Box – 2 to 4 carefully curated items include stationery, home decor, inspiring books, and other creative finds. This is a monthly subscription but you can also buy single boxes from past months. Does not ship internationally.
I have not forgotten my friends in the UK and Europe! There are subscription boxes aplenty for you as well. Although if an American sees one they like, many of these will ship overseas to the States.
Ink Drops – Unlike other subscriptions, they offer a Sneak Peek of what’s coming to you. It’s nice if you don’t like surprises. They include a variety of stationery items, like pencils, pens, notebooks, stickers, etc. And you can give it as a gift. Just let them know in the Messages when you check out. Ships internationally.
Spotlight Stationery – A box designed for stationery lovers. Bespoke and high-end items are included in each box and with each box they give to charity. Three different subscription options available. Ships internationally.
Stationery Lovers Club by HoneyTree Post – Stationery goodness that follows trends and the seasons. There are four subscription options plus a totally separate subscription for kids 6 to 12 years old, Young Honey Tree Club. Ships outside the UK.
While not subscription boxes, these three six items would be a nice gift for any stationery lover. I plan to pick at least one of them up for myself soon as I’m always on the look out for items that will help me with my letter writing. These stationery items definitely fall into that category.
Letter Ledger – Why didn’t I think of this? It’s a snail mail tracker but in a spiral bound format. Very handy indeed!
Lettermate – I actually have one of these and it’s tremendously helpful if you can’t write an address in a straight line to save your life. I speak from experience.
Lettermate Companion – Like the Original Lettermate, this one also has cut outs to help keep your address in a straight line. The difference? It has two differently sized windows for a variety of lettering sizes and styles. Is it necessary? Probably not. But if you like to use calligraphy or change-up your lettering style, this might be nice to have on hand. *NEW
Stationery Fever – A book of the history of important stationery items. It would look good on the coffee table in your or a loved one’s living room.
Adventures in Stationery – Another book about stationery. This one is full of trivia about items found on a desk or in a school pencil box. Paperback.
Quill and Ink Wax Seal Stamp – And to finish it all off, why not use an old-fashioned wax seal to secure an envelope? I have a quill and ink stamp, which I stamp into gold sealing wax. It’s very pretty (if I do say so myself). *NEW
So have you purchased stationery subscription boxes before? If so, what did you think of the service? Please let me know down in the comments! [icon type=”fa fa-hand-o-down” color=”#ef43b0″ fontsize=”25″]
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