Editor's Letters Features

In third grade during the late 1970s, one of my classmates announced that one day, phones would be like TVs. You’d be able to see the other person. That was immediately completely ridiculed by every 8-year-old in the room — but clearly it’s come true, and then some.

In 2006, the iPhone entered the world, as did my daughter Veronica. Her childhood, as well as the lives of countless Zoomers and millennials, differed from mine in ways we’re still determining — but one thing is clear. The generation raised on Baby Genius (in all the right ways) and social media (in all the wrong ways) has discovered the wonder of stationery.

According to a March 2 Forbes.com article by Kate Hardcastle, plain old stationery is now “Stationery-Core.”

“Once seen as a practical necessity, writing instruments, notebooks, and planners are now coveted lifestyle objects, celebrated not just for function but for their beauty, craftsmanship, and the sense of mindfulness they bring. This isn’t just a nostalgic return to old- school tools — it’s a cultural shift toward analogue in an era of digital overload.”

The article concluded: “Far from being a fleeting trend, Stationery-Core represents a deeper cultural shift — one that speaks to the need for balance in an increasingly digital world. While technology will continue to shape how we communicate, there will always be something special about putting pen to paper, turning a page, and leaving a mark that isn’t just stored in the cloud. The stationery products market reflects this growing demand, valued at approximately $147.5 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $213.7 billion by 2034, with a steady 3.8% CAGR (compound annual growth rate).”

Not only is that fabulous news generally, that is also fabulous press for stationery after several years of dubious (at best) coverage in various major business periodicals. Meanwhile, I’m about to visit Chicago Stationery Fest, one of several Stationery-Core events popping up around the country.

This sold-out weekend fest is the brainchild of Tyler McCall and his husband and business partner Eric Campbell of Paper & Pencil, an Andersonville brick-and-mortar. With a bevy of vendors, plus workshops and meet-ups, I can’t wait to experience stationery through the consumer eye.

I certainly didn’t have any of this on my 2025 bingo card! So, as pervasive as uncertainty and fear currently is, remember: The pendulum, it always swings.

Until next issue,