Stationery & books

There are pages to fill, pages to read and words to send. This stationery and books selection gives those different purposes their own starting points. You may need somewhere to keep notes, a diary for appointments, a card for a friend or a book on a subject you enjoy. Decide what you want the object to do before choosing an illustration. A cover can catch your attention without telling you everything about the pages inside.

Choose a notebook for where you write

A notebook that stays open on a desk need not suit the same task as one carried in a pocket. Think about whether you write short lists, make meeting notes or return to a longer project. The Marble Orchids notebook provides an example of an A5 paperback format from Ohh Deer. Its format is a useful starting point, not a reason to assume the ruling or paper is identical to another notebook.

Compare actual dimensions as well as size names, and consider the space in your bag or on your desk. Look at the cover and binding information when you decide how you will use it. If you have a particular writing tool in mind, consult the paper details given for that reference rather than inferring compatibility from an attractive photograph.

Dates matter more than the diary cover

For a diary or planner, check the year and period covered before comparing patterns. Then look at the page organisation: how much room do you want for an appointment, a list or a note? A gift recipient may prefer free-form writing to dated pages. Knowing that preference is more helpful than selecting an elaborate cover for a layout they will not use.

Cards and wrapping belong to the message

A card can accompany a present or carry the whole gesture on its own. Read any printed words and check their language. The product details should also confirm dimensions and whether an envelope is included; neither should be assumed across the range. Leave yourself space for the message you actually want to write, rather than choosing only from the front illustration.

For gift paper or a bag, measure the object before comparing the packaging format. A colour relationship with the card is optional. If you are still looking for the present itself, gift ideas offers other starting points.

Pick a book by subject and edition

For books, the topic is only the beginning. Check the language and the presentation of the particular edition before deciding who it suits. A photographed cover does not establish either. If you would rather give an activity to set up on a table, explore Games and hobbies. Keep the same practical approach: choose a family, compare a few references and open the one that matches how you like to write, read or give.