12 Days of Dappered #8 – Something to write on… and with.

It’ll be here before you know it. Our annual 12 days of Dappered gift guide covers one item/idea each week-day for the next dozen days. All will be reasonably affordable, and at the same time they should (hopefully) appeal to someone who might drop on by this corner of the internet. So if you’re looking for ideas on what to give a decently dressed (yet budget conscious) fellow, or, if you’ve got friends/family struggling for ideas on what to get someone (you) who’s hard to buy for, check back in as this year’s 12 Days churns on. You’ll also find the growing archive here.

Screens. Some people can be productive on them 24/7. Some need a break after awhile. Plus, nothing says “thanks” or “hi” quite like a hand written note. And for that, you need something to write on, as well as something to write with…

 

Art of Manliness Letterpress Stationery – $20.00 / 15 cards & envelopes

A perennial favorite. 15 cards total with each card having one of three manly motifs embedded into the stock. Envelopes included too. The paper is textured, thick, and impressive. These are do-anything cards. Thank you’s, congrats, take-this-job-and-shove-its… they’ll do it all. AoM’s site has pre-selected three-motif packages. If you want to select a 3-some of motifs that AoM doesn’t have, head here to Page Stationery’s website. Costs a couple bucks more over there, but you get to pick what you want.

 

Kaweco “Sport” Fountain Pen – $23.90

First introduced to this thing via the Bespoke Post “Frontier” Box (stand by for another suggestion from there in a sec…). Has become the go-to ever since. Lightweight but sturdy plastic, a short body, and an easy to get used to fountain tip. Appears that the clip is sold seperately? Bizarre. Regardless, makes writing a pleasure, whereas a bic disposable makes it a chore.

 

Poppin Soft Cover Medium Notebook – $9.00

Like a Moleskin that’s been doing yoga. Moleskin notebooks can sometimes fight back when it comes to folding over, having the pages sit still, etc… These don’t. You can flip & fold and pin down and they’ll stay. A bit easier to use. Available with lined, blank, or grid pages. Also part of the Frontier Box from a few months back.

 

Word. Notebooks – $9.99 per 3 pack.

Field Notes are the most popular, but these are perfect for to-do lists. Next to each line there’s a little circle within a circle, which thanks to the Word. notebook “system” (there’s a key inside the front cover), you can easily keep track of all of your tasks. Easily fits inside a blazer pocket. Available in multiple colors + patterns. Made in the USA.

 

Check Letterpress Thank You Cards – $12.00 for a box of 8 + envelopes

While it might be a little weird to give a gift of thank you cards (what is the recipient supposed to do, send one right back to you?) it might be well appreciated by someone who’s been meaning to get better at this sort of thing. Or… someone who’s about to graduate/get married/etc. One of four options to check: “Thank You”… “Very Much“, “Once again“, “Kindly Sir“, and “Fer Nothin”. Also a good gift idea: The Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen (pictured above). Runs $25.48 for a pack of 12. Good for people who like a decent pen, but work in an area where pens seem to walk off.

 

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen – $24.79

Has to be what Archer uses when he’s doing bills on a quiet Sunday afternoon, in his tactleneck, and signing checks. Refillable. Black coated steel nib. Clip on the cap. Extremely well reviewed. DANE-JAH ZONE.

 

The Standard Memorandum Annual Journal & Leather Cover – $45.00

Via Word Notebooks. The Cliffs Notes version of your life. A few lines a day and you’ve got a record of who and what you were. $45 gets you the notebook plus a leather cover that you can have monogrammed for free. Made in the USA. Here’s to hoping it’s filled with a bunch of great stuff in 2014.

 

Karas Kustoms RETRAKT Pens – $39.98 – $89.98

A high quality pen minus the board-room stuffiness. It’s a clicker with an all metal ball-bearing and groove mechanism. That means the click action is quieter (no more annoying the hell out of your study/work-mates) and smoother. That copper option. Ninety bucks is spendy, but… damn. Made in the USA.

Your turn writers, jotters, doodleites and scribblers… got a suggestion for something to gift that’s in this writing with or writing on realm? Leave it all in the comments.