# stationery exchange

posted on December 2, 2025 by Lee Cattarin

- stationery

do you, like me, have a stash of greeting cards and stickers you'll never use? Too many notebooks and pens?

let's do a stationery exchange! You'll still have too much stationery, but some will be new to you.

originated on the fediverse - see the #stationeryExchange hashtag.

## outline

similar to a Secret Santa (but not holiday-oriented), each participant is assigned a recipient. Participants assemble an envelope or package (estimate around $20-25 in value (not incl. shipping), but you are highly encouraged to pull from your own supplies, thrift, or make things yourself before buying new) and send to their recipients.

because of international shipping prices, participants will opt in to broad location categories that they are able to ship to (US, EU, and rest of world). You are encouraged to provide more detail about your shipping abilities in a free text field following the opt-in question - if you'd like to check where you are unable to send mail to, try postcrossing's postal monitor. I will do my absolute best to accommodate shipping restrictions and needs. If you are unable to be matched with a gifter and/or a giftee I will reach out.

### timeline

sign up form will close on December 15th, 2025. Participants will receive their giftee's details by January 1st, 2026.

ship-by date of February 15th, 2026, giving participants 1 and a half months to prepare and send their package. Packages will be expected to arrive by March 15th, 2026. If any recipient hasn't received a package by that time, I will follow up with their designated gifter.

reach out if you need flexibility regarding timeline!

### shipping

if you are struggling with shipping costs, please feel free to put together a flat envelope with things such as greeting cards and stickers rather than more 3-dimensional items.

if you are shipping ink, please be aware that liquids often have specific shipping rules. Look up the relevant rules for your location.

if you are in the US, I quite recommend Pirate Ship which can help you get discounted rates with USPS and other services. You must make an account, but there is no fee for doing so.

### backups

in the event of a drop-out or other issue, I will be providing one or two backup gifts. Participants may also opt-in to being backups as well to take some load off me. If backups are needed, I will cover the first one, then round-robin a randomized list of those who have opted in to backups.

## let's do it!

sign up for the stationery exchange

(if airtable is for any reason inaccessible to you, please reach out directly)

## related posts

1. ## fountain pen-friendly stationery

   - stationery