April / May: Stationery Week

What is National Stationery Week?

National Stationery Week is an annual celebration held in the United Kingdom, typically during the last week of April. This event promotes the value of handwriting and stationery, aiming to encourage people to put pen to paper in our increasingly digital world. It’s a week dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the art of writing by hand, as well as the variety of stationery products that facilitate this timeless activity.

History and Origin

National Stationery Week was established to celebrate the written word and all things stationery. The initiative is supported by leaders in the stationery industry to encourage more people to write by hand. Highlighting the personal touch that comes with handwritten communication, the week also serves as an important reminder of how stationery can be essential in everyday life, from education to personal and professional communication.

Who Celebrates National Stationery Week?

  • Stationery Manufacturers and Retailers: Promote their products through special offers and events, emphasizing the joy and creativity found in stationery.
  • Schools and Educational Institutions: Encourage students to practice handwriting and engage in creative writing activities.
  • Businesses: Often participate by organizing workshops or providing employees with quality stationery to enhance workplace productivity.
  • Artists and Designers: Utilize the week to showcase their work that involves stationery, such as calligraphy and paper crafting.
  • General Public: People of all ages rediscover the pleasure of writing by hand and using stationery for personal correspondence, journaling, and other creative endeavors.

Themes and Slogans

The campaign typically revolves around themes that celebrate and encourage the act of writing. Slogans such as “Writing Matters” and “Keep the Art of Writing Alive” are common, underscoring the importance of handwriting in personal and educational development.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

  • Colors: There are no specific colors associated with National Stationery Week, but vibrant, engaging colors are often used in promotional materials to reflect creativity and enthusiasm for stationery.
  • Symbols: Pens, pencils, notebooks, and envelopes serve as key symbols.
  • Patterns: Paper motifs, ink splashes, and creative, artistic designs are commonly featured in visuals related to the event.

Most Used Hashtags

  • #NationalStationeryWeek
  • #WritingMatters
  • #LoveStationery
  • #StationeryAddict
  • #Handwriting

How to Celebrate

  • Participate in Stationery-Themed Events: Attend workshops, exhibitions, or pop-up shops dedicated to stationery and handwriting.
  • Support Local Stationery Shops: Purchase from local and independent stationers to support small businesses.
  • Engage in Creative Writing: Use the week as motivation to start a journal, write letters, or compose poetry;all by hand.
  • Organize Stationery Swaps: Exchange unused or favorite stationery items with friends or colleagues.
  • Social Media Engagement: Share your favorite stationery products or handwritten notes online to participate in the broader conversation and inspire others.

National Stationery Week is not just a celebration for stationery enthusiasts but a call to everyone to recognize the personal and cultural value of writing by hand. It encourages a return to a more thoughtful and personal means of communication that stationery so beautifully supports.

April / May: Stationery Week