The Stationary Critic
Cupid’s Dilemma
Once again we are forced to stare cupid in his smug little face and conform to this gaudy holiday. No, I’m not bitter. I’m intrigued like all of you by this yearly ruse of sweets, flowers and romance. O.K. – maybe I’m just a little cranky. Cupid’s dilemma is when you’re counting down the seconds to Valentine’s Day, confused and empty handed. In other words, you just can’t decide on the perfect gift for your sweetheart and time is ticking fast.
At the Heart of a Legend
For being one of the most venerated saints, Saint Valentine didn’t make it any easier for us did he? Granted, Saint Valentinus didn’t have it easy either, after all, he was a martyr or so the legend goes. In one of the most popular tales, a priest named Valentine is imprisoned for performing the sacrament of marriage. The Roman Empire outlawed this exchange of vows along with many other Christian traditions. Soldiers were also forbidden this rite on account that the emperor believed that they made lousy soldiers. Once imprisoned, Valentine heals the blind daughter of his jailer and before he is killed, he sends her a note with the words, from your valentine, as a gesture to remember him by.
To My Valentine,
The importance of giving your beloved stationery as a gift has become more relevant over the past few years. It’s true. Significance surpasses monetary value. Due to factors like the economy this sentiment has become even more apparent. The act of sharing your feelings or thoughts on paper is a tradition that extends far beyond any culture, country or generation. It’s a universal expression of the heart. Here are our gift choices for this Valentine’s Day.
Each product review is divided into four categories.
- Design: We will discuss elements like layout, color scheme, placement of lettering style, and monograms.
- Personalization Options: This category answers the question: how can I make this item my own? Elements like ink and paper colors, lettering styles, and print methods will be discussed.
- Class: Who would like this item?
- The HUB: This is what we call the main feature of the item. In other words, this is the reason (among others) why you should order this item.
Heart Squares with Crystal Clear Holder
Design: A heart is centered on this spacious square and customized with one line. The layout makes a clear statement by incorporating positive and negative space in its design. You are in love…
Personalization Options: Choose from eight different ink colors. Customize one line with up to 45 characters or a brief sonnet.
Class: Made for the one you love.
The HUB: Each Heart Square comes with its own sturdy crystal clear holder.
Chromatic 7 Tablet Set with White Linen Holder
Design: Your first and last name is printed on the top of each tablet. An ellipsis is also added to give a sense of intrigue.
Personalization Options: Choose from four different paper colors: pink, blue, green and orange. Daily Note’s Reminder: If you want your full name printed on all 7 tablets leave the first name box empty.
Class: Students, teachers, professionals and slackers – this item makes a wonderful gift all year round.
The HUB: There are 7 tablets in this set, three different sizes and one handy linen white holder…enough said.
Shop all of our unique Valentine’s Day gift items for him and her!
Two Hearts Foil-Stamped Napkins
Design: Two hearts are intertwined at the top of this 3 ply paper napkin. Three lines of customization are placed stylishly underneath.
Personalization Options: Choose from a variety of paper and foil colors.
Class: Appropriate for birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries or any romantic gesture you can possibly think of.
The HUB: The number of paper and foil color combinations is astounding. Find the right one to compliment your decor.
Notable Note
Design: A monogram is placed in the center of this 6.2″ x 4.5″ note. The lettering style adds a sense of whimsy to the overall design.
Personalization Options: Choose from ten ink colors and two paper colors. Matching envelopes are included. Daily Note’s Reminder: Return address on envelopes for this item is free.
Class: If you are looking for a playful, modern and sophisticated design this note is for you.
The HUB: This monogram is contemporary and playful enough for the home or workplace.
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stationeryfan811
Wow, I never knew that legend about St. Valentine! I guess that explains how we ended up with the phrase “my valentine” as in “will you be my valentine?” That’s really cool to know!
More excellent product showcases as usual! I particularly like the Heart Squares with Crystal Clear Holder, because they seem like a perfect way to exchange love notes with your special someone. But all the personalized stationery products here are pretty awesome, as usual.
5 February 2013, 5:00 pmJonathan Price
I like all the designs here! I think the Two Hearts Foil-Stamped Napkins and the Heart Squares personalized notes are particularly appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The other two don’t really seem to have any thing particularly “Valentiney” about them other than their color schemes, but that still makes them perfectly valid choices to greet your special someone. After all, the best part of your personalized note or card is the message you add to it yourself!
5 February 2013, 8:54 pmHenry B Springs
Believe it, feel it, practice it with every move you make and every step you take. Use Personalized Stationery to make your message stronger, bring you to a more rewarding relationship. Have you ever asked yourself how can I bring someone closer, does the solution of Personalized Stationery come as a surprise? Surely these thoughts have come to mind. Will you take the time to send them as single Valentines or as gifts for them to get back to you. They can and will reflect Cupid’s dilemma on more than one occasion. Personalized Stationery can be great extension of yourself. “You give love, you get love and only heaven knows.” Of course The legend of St Valentine will influence what you see, give and get on Valentine’s Day.
6 February 2013, 8:27 amHenry B Springs
Let our colorful Personalized Stationery reflect the greatest love , the greatest hope in your life. Your Personalized Card, Note or Stationery Gift can and will reflect Cupid’s dilemma on more than one occasion. Any of our Best Selling Notepads will dress up a romance just right, keep pleasant thoughts, advice, ideas and comversation opren ended, back and forth. It will be better than updates to your Facebook page if you don’t have time, add to your popularity if you do and of course create more connections if you aren’t yet connected.communication channels. Don’t forget to take your Personalized Notepads on the town. They make great connections and you don’t have to say a word.
6 February 2013, 5:21 pmPaulette Leto
To me, Valentine’s Day is a very personal, intimate holiday – no, not like that… at least not necessarily. What I mean is, it mostly celebrates love between two people. Someday when I have kids and they’re taking a bunch of little personalized cards to give out to classmates that say “will you be my valentine?” and have some candy attached, maybe I’ll see it differently. But for now, I mostly see it as between two people.
Which is why I don’t really think personalized napkins are a great match for Valentine’s Day. Yes, the Two Hearts foil-stamped napkins look extremely beautiful. And sure, it would be extremely sweet to get some personal message of love on some of those. But if you’re celebrating with the one you love, you probably don’t need more than a napkin or two each.
Now if you’re getting married this week or something, these are the absolute PERFECT napkins for that!
8 February 2013, 1:25 amAshleigh316
I think the Heart Squares with Crystal Clear Holder are super useful for Valentine’s Day, like a couple of comments above already mentioned. I can also appreciate the Chromatic 7 Tablet Set, because they can come in Valentine’s Day colors, but don’t have to be just for that. You can get them with differently colored paper too, which there aren’t too many other personalized notepads that come like that. Plus the White Linen Holder is really cool too!
8 February 2013, 2:42 amRay Williams
Giving your special someone a personalized card is a great thing to to on Valentine’s Day. Send it along with flowers, and it will be a great way for her (or him) to start the day! Of course, you’ll want to get together with them and do something special for the day, but a personalized card with a really nice message of love is a great way to get started!
10 February 2013, 12:00 pmHilma Conger
The Chromatic 7 Tablet is a great personalized stationery set because you can customize it for all sorts of different occasions with the variety of paper and ink colors available. I agree that it’s good for Valentine’s Day using the color setup in the picture here, although I think nothing beats the Heart Squares when it comes to personalized notepads that are perfect for this romantic day. Still, you really can’t go wrong with either one.
10 February 2013, 12:40 pmBethany
I really like those Notable Notes. I agree that they’re not necessarily as perfect for Valentine’s Day as the Heart Squares, for example, but they’re still a very good fit, especially if you get them in red or pink inks. And besides, not being specifically Valentine’s Day-themed means that they’re more usable for the rest of the year. I mean sure, cards with hearts all over them are very romantic and great for this time of year, but what if you want to leave a note sometime in like May or June? Then you might feel like those kind of personalized notes aren’t quite as appropriate. But something like the Notable Notes are just as good then as they are now. So let’s not overlook those!
10 February 2013, 8:42 pm