How to Get Your Camper To Write Home

When you’re young, there’s nothing better than sleep away summer camp.  The sense of freedom and feelings of independence are unparalleled. Though it can be hard to send your children off to sleep away camp because you miss them, we take a lot of comfort in knowing it’s their happy place!  We find that camp is an incredible place for children to grow, learn, and make lifelong memories.  

Hearing from your camper through letters home helps make the heartache go away and gives us a window into their world.  Receiving letters from your camper also gives you peace of mind.  Are they eating? Are they sleeping? Do they like their camp bunkmates?  What about their counselors?  Are they visiting the health center to take their medication?  (We’ve never gotten answers in a letter answering the last question...That one usually requires a phone call to the nurse!)  

 

With all the activity that your kids are doing, how do you get them to slow down, stop, and write home to tell you all the fun that they are having? As parents, you are used to regular updates!          

 

We try to make the letter writing process as easy as possible to encourage frequent letters home.  Here are 6 tips we use: 

 

1.     Let them pick out camp stationery.  Even if you have some extra left over from last year, having your children pick out a new design for 2023 will open the conversation and hopefully, get them excited.  (We have some great new options to choose from below!) 

2.     Have a conversation and set the expectations. Be clear about how much it means to you to hear from your camper while they are gone and let your camper know how many times you would like them to write to you.  You should be realistic about what’s possible for your camper’s age, attention span, and then: try not take it personally if the frequency isn’t met.  Afterall, they are there to learn independence and have experiences without you! Hopefully “no news is good news.” 

3.     Create “to” address labels for your children.  This is the single biggest tip we can give! Rather than giving your camper an address book where they must search for an address and then write/copy to an envelope, type out addresses to yourself, Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt, their friends, whoever wants to receive letters. Print on Avery labels (found at Staples or office supply stores.)  When your child goes to write their letters at rest hour, they can look at the labels to see who they need to write to! If you are asking your camper to write twice a week, make sure you have enough “to” address labels to you for twice a week! 

4.     Include a diagram of how a letter needs to be set-up for successful mailing! While many parents like to pre-stamp and adhere return address labels to envelopes before the child goes to camp, we prefer to include a diagram with instructions on what to do – part of the growth at camp is learning to do things for oneself!  Show the camper where the stamp needs to go and where the “TO” label needs to go. For the return address label, we recommend having the camper use it as an envelope seal on the back of the envelope. Using a postcard, they instruct the camper to put the return address label in the upper left corner on the side of the “TO:” stamp (or buy our personalized camp postcards that have the “FROM” address already pre-printed. 

5.     Get a pen or pencil and include it with the stationery/envelope/labels. Or let your child pick out fun gel pens in lots of colors. No excuses here! 

6.     We like clipboards or writing desks to help make the process even easier (at this point… is that possible?) and possibly more fun. Choose a clipboard that your son or daughter will like.  Store everything inside (and then make sure they know that!) 

 

Modern technology with facial recognition is pretty awesome. We admit, we check our “Waldo” app several times a day and wait in anticipation for the latest upload from the camp photographer. But it does not come close to a letter in the mail with details from our kids. Encourage your kids to write thoughtful, age-appropriate letters and remind them how much you want to hear from them. Of course, you can set a good example and write your camper letters. Tell them what’s going on at home and ask questions. Become “penpals” while they are gone.  We’ve got some great options for parents to use here:

 

Here are some of our best-sellers!

 

Prepping for your camper to head off to summer camp is a lot of work. We hope you hear from your camper on a cadence that makes you happy.  Also, check out some of our favorite camp stationery sets for Summer ’23! 

 

Graduation Gift Ideas 2023

The end of the school year is here and we’re honoring graduates from high school and college with unique gifts that honor their achievement.  Graduating is no small feat!  It requires day in and day out commitment, hard work, and deserves to be recognized.  Whether you are gifting for the high school graduate or looking for a gift for the college graduate, we have something for you!  Our prices are up to 30% off, even for personalized products, so you can also feel good about the price you are paying, in addition to giving a great graduation gift. 

 

We like this bold initial stationery ensemble that includes a total of 50 personalized cards in 3 different designs and 2 different sizes.  Formatting is as shown below.  Are these a practical gift for the graduate? They’ll undoubtedly have a lot of correspondence to write after graduating and receiving all of their gifts. They can thank everyone in style with this stationery

 

 

Another practical graduation gift, especially for the high school graduate who is headed off to college, are these laundry hamper tote bags that are personalized with the graduates’ name or initials. Choose from navy, pink, grey, black or all natural color options and a variety of typestyles for embroidery. 

 

For the high school graduate headed off to college, we also love these personalized acrylic trays that are great for storing keys, wallet, phone, or jewelry! You can personalize the tray with the college name and the graduate name – we love double personalization! 

 

Toiletry bags and cosmetic bags are always a worthy gift for the graduate At More Than Paper, we have a variety of personalized cosmetic and personalized toiletry bags in styles for both men and women. This waxed dopp kit is a favorite amongst men. (It also coordinates well with the waxed laundry duffle that is nearly 30% OFF! 

 

 

 

For ladies, this gold metallic makeup bag is a hit for graduates headed off to travel this summer or to the dorms in the Fall! This bag is available in other color options, too. Click here to view all the color options! 

                                                               

 

Need a bunch of gifts for your graduates friends?  Popular this season has been the classic medium boat tote. Available in a variety of colors and the price point won’t break the bank.

 

There you have it!  A few personalized graduation gifts for the graduate this year that are practical but fun at the same time. Plus, with this sale on graduation gifts, you are sure to feel good about the price you are paying for personalized products for graduation! 

Summer Travel & Planning Tips

With all the end-of-year activities at school and fun around graduation, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day of May.  But summer is just around the corner and many kids are out of school in a few weeks.  What are your summer plans? 

If your plans include vacation, travel, or any trips to the beach or pool, we have some tips on how to make packing easier on you.  For some, getting ready for a vacation can be a lot of work, especially if you have the responsibility of packing for your children.  Even getting prepared for a beach day can be daunting with a bunch of kids and a lot of things to remember. We’ve created checklists and tips & tricks for our readers. 
 
Summer Travel / Vacation Checklist 
When traveling on vacation, being prepared is a must. Forgetting one key item has the potential to put a damper on your mood so the key is to be organized.  We involve our kids in the packing process to make things easier but also to get the kids excited about where we are headed.  Use it as an opportunity to talk about the weather, what’s appropriate to wear for your plans, and help teach the skill of advanced planning. 
 
Use this handy checklist when packing: 

• One day-time outfit for each day and coordinating shoes

• Note: If you are traveling for 7 days, you don’t need 7 pairs of jeans. Usually, 2-4 pairs of pants should do the trick. We recommend 1 black, 1 white, 1 grey, 1 denim wash, or some variation! 

• Several nighttime / dressier options and coordinating shoes

• Dresses pack so small! Don’t overdo it, though. Be realistic about how many dresses or dressier options you will need. 

• Accessories like bags / jewelry! Keep it simple. 

• Choose a few key pieces that will work with a variety of outfits. 

• Workout / yoga clothing

• Make sure you don’t forget to pack the appropriate shoes & socks  

• Undergarments for daytime, nighttime, and sports outfits 

• Toiletries and Make-up (under 3.4 oz. of liquid per item if you are not checking your bags) 

• Book / Kindle / iPad 

• All chargers.  

• We keep all chargers in a small, monogrammed bag that zips tight. (And when we say “all,” we really mean ALL. How are there so many charges to remember? From your Amazon tablet charger, headphones charger, iPad charger, iPhone charger, laptop charger (if traveling for work)…. Keep them all in a single bag. When you need a charger, just pull out the charger bag! 

• Do not forget headphones! 

• If you are traveling on a plane that may have entertainment in the seats, remember to bring headphones that plug into the seat (meaning those that have a 3.5mm aux jax – meaning those with a single pointy end )   Many airlines will sell them or give them to you if it’s a long flight, but if you have them, bring them to reduce waste.

For your charger bag, consider this one by CB Station that you can personalize with your name, initial, or choose to label it CHARGER.  Depending on how many chargers you must bring, this 7 x 11 x 3” bag is a good option. 
 

 
Need a make-up or toiletry bag?  Here are some favorites. 

 
 
Beach Day / Day-Trip Checklist 
We like to have a “go” bag for the beach or pool ready so we can “go” anytime without much effort.  For us, it stays in the laundry room packed and ready to go at any time! Keep your bag packed and stocked so the day of your beach outing or pool outing, you aren’t running around last-minute trying to find everything. Just add perishable items and hit the road.  Here’s what you should include in your fully stocked beach/pool bag. 

• Sunscreen. (Check the date at the beginning of the season to make sure it’s not expired). We go with a total of three sunscreens: 1 face stick, 1 spray, and 1 lotion. Keep them in a sealable plastic bag so there are no spills!)

• Bug spray 

• Quick-dry towels 

• Goggles 

• Small beach toys

• Hat and/or sunglasses 

 
Need a beach bag option?  Check out this Canvas rope tote that can be personalized with your initials or name. 

 
 
We also like the style of this one! 
 

And, of course, there is the classic Large Boat Tote – available in so many colors. This screams summer! Amply sized to carry LOTS of stuff.


 
For larger beach toys like Spike Ball net or corn hole, keep them somewhere where you can easily access them in your garage. 
 
On the day you’re headed on your beach or pool daytrip, make sure to pack some healthy snacks and salty/sweet snacks from your pantry.  Fill a small lunch bag like one of these shown below, available at More Than Paper, and toss into your larger bag. 

 
Don’t forget water bottles for everyone! We love these personalized water bottles from Boatman Geller! 

 
Wishing you happy and safe travels this summer. 
 
 

New Years Resolutions & January 2023

What is it about a new calendar year that makes so many of us (re) evaluate our lives?  Call them resolutions, intentions, or goals, millions of people turn the pages in their agenda to a new year and ask themselves… what do I want from the year ahead? 

Do you? 

 

We have found varying degrees of how people approach this process but it tends to be extreme! There’s the busy Mom who indulged in food and wine throughout the holidays but on January 1^st went vegan and is (attempting) to no longer eat sugar or drink alcohol.  There’s the man who has listed 12 resolutions that include: getting fit and eating better, spending more time with his family, taking a boys trip in 2023, vacationing with his wife, working harder at the office, and enjoying dinner parties & time out with friends. 

 

What is problematic (and mostly obvious to all of us) is that these resolutions are not only unrealistic, but are unsustainable, too. How is one supposed to work harder at the office but also take a boys trip, vacation with his wife, and spend more time at home? 

 

Why must these resolutions be so radical? Sometimes, too, they feel like they are in direct competition with one another. 

 

We’ve heard experts say that the key to meaningful change is making gradual changes.  In 2023, we advise you to take some pressure off yourself.  You don’t have to be a completely different person or change too much of who you are!  We like the idea of getting 1% “better” every day.  What’s more is that you should define what “better” is to you!   1% “better” in whatever way you see fit will make meaningful change by the end of the year. 

 

Take some time to write out what “better” means to you and break out how you will get there. If “better” means working harder at the office, does that mean your shift your habits to less distractions on your phone, less frequent water cooler breaks, or something else? Being specific about how you will achieve your “better” is important. 

 

Don’t forget something else that is important. You are already great.  Don’t let the calendar tell you it’s time to make changes when change might not be required.  Practice gratitude by writing down all the things for which you are grateful.   When people go through this exercise, many are helped by realizing how great they already have it.  Focus on the positive and all that you have done throughout the previous year and all the days to come in 2023.  

 

One new product we love that might help you on this journey are these Gratitude Finder Journals.  Beautiful colors and tons of stickers will motivate you. But no worries – these are not dated so you can start and restart whenever you like!  Choosing the color palette that speaks to you has the power to make this exercise feel more special and more impactful than just a scrap piece of paper.  There are even 3 that are specifically faith-based.

 

Feeling a little preppy, check out this one:

 

We feel this one brings a sense of calm:

 

These are for the kids (or for the adults who like to think like kids!):

 

After spending the year filling up this journal, you will have a wonderful momento to remember all the great things that happened – which will hopefully inspire you further in the year to come.

 

Another tip for the New Year?  Get organized, as best as you can.  When life feels overwhelming and schedules are busy, having a strong organization system is key.  Sometimes you just need reminders! We have a great selection of memo pads and sheets.  We like these for jotting something down real fast.  This acrylic holder looks great on your desk, too! 

 

And these new Reminder Binders are awesome at helping you keep track of the day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month. And who doesn’t love all the colors and stickers! And for a limited time, get a free monthly desktop calendar with purchase!

 

Whatever your thoughts are, journaling and writing are great ways to get it out of your head. More Than Paper’s journals, notebooks, and notepads are here to help you with this process in January and all year long! 

 

Wishing you a Happy New Year from everyone at More Than Paper!  

Thanksgiving Recipes We Love

Thanksgiving may be affectionately known as “turkey day”, but no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without the side dishes. From appetizers to desserts and everything in between, the love and attention that you put into your food can be felt around the table.  Rest assured all the hard work will be worth it.  After all, these days are what childhood memories and holidays are really made of!  Here are a few tips for making your Thanksgiving less stressful, as well as a few recipes that we have rounded up. 

Tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving:

 

1.     Planning is key! Create your menu at least two weeks in advance. Put some thought into your guest list and any allergies or dietary restrictions that you might need to be considered.  Create your shopping list at least 1 week in advance.  Plan to go to the grocery store several times to get all the items that you will need, but having a comprehensive shopping list will really help reduce trips to the store. 

2.     Delegate! When your guests ask you – “is there anything that I can bring?” be sure to tell them something!  A good host does not have to do everything from start to finish. Outsource an entire course like an appetizer or dessert like a pro! 

3.     Prep work can be done days before!  Pies, cakes, and stuffing can be made days in advance. Turkey should brine or be pre-salted at least one day before. Pay close attention to your dishes and how far in advance you can make them.  You want to avoid the amount of work you have to do on Thanksgiving day itself! Planning ahead and starting early is key. 

 

Here are some recipes that we think will enhance your Thanksgiving! 

 

 

PUMPKIN BROWNIES

For those people who want to (pumpkin) spice their meal up this year, try these amazing pumpkin pie brownies from The Cookie Rookie. These can be served at Thanksgiving or all season long! 

What you’ll need: 

•   18 ounces brownie mix 

•    ¼ cup water

•   ⅓ cup vegetable oil 

•   1 large egg 

•   ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips 

•  7.5 ounces pumpkin puree (note: NOT pumpkin pie filling) 

•  6 ounces cream cheese 

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

How to combine: 

1.     Preheat the oven according to the box mix (325°F for Ghirardelli). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.

2.     In a medium bowl, make the brownie mix according to the directions on the box. Above are the ingredients for Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies. Adjust ingredients to fit your box mix. Add the chocolate chips to the brownie mix and set aside.

3.     18 ounces brownie mix, ¼ cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

4.     In a medium bowl, mix the pumpkin, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together until very smooth.

5.     7.5 ounces pumpkin puree, 6 ounces cream cheese, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

6.     Pour half of the brownie mix into the prepared pan and spread out so the entire bottom of the pan is covered.

7.     Spoon the pumpkin filling onto the brownie batter in chunks or spread it out evenly, then cover the pumpkin with the rest of the brownie batter and smooth out the top.

8.    Now you're ready to bake! I added 10 minutes to the directions on the box. You’ll need to cook them longer due to the pumpkin mix.

9.     Let the brownies cool before slicing and serving.

CRANBERRY RELISH

What about some cranberry relish to go with your turkey? The salty, briney turkey tastes great with the fruity and bright cranberry accompaniment.

 

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries 
• 1 orange with peel on 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 

 

To combine: 

1.     Slice the very edge root ends off of the orange, just until you see the flesh. Leave the rest of the skin ON the orange and slice it into 8 pieces.

2.     Place the fresh cranberries, orange slices and sugar in your food processor and process until smooth (or until no large chunks remain).

3.     Refrigerate until ready to serve (it tastes best after being in the fridge for at least an hour) or for up to 1 week. Serve over turkey, chicken, pork loin etc.

 

 

 

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

Looking for stylish and festive ways to serve your Thanksgiving? Look no further than More Than Paper. We have a huge selection of beverage trays for festive cocktails, and platters fit for turkey drumsticks and the likes!  We even have many options for personalized beverage, dinner napkins and guest towels! Shop all of our Thanksgiving dinnerware by visiting here!  And don't forget your personalized napkins and guest towels here. 

The Art of Crane

The holiday season is around the corner and those that get ahead will get to enjoy the festive time without the stress.  Are you starting your holiday card search? Ordering your holiday cards early will certainly put you ahead!  Our luxe holiday cards by Crane are currently on sale. Now is a great time to order! 

Stationery and holiday cards by Crane are a go-to for stationery lovers. What makes Crane so special? We’ve dug a little deeper. Here’s why: 

 

The history is rich. 

The history of Crane is over 250 years in the making! That’s right. 250!  In 1770, entrepreneur Stephen Crane founded the business and purchased the Liberty Paper Mill. Paul Revere was one of its earliest customers and Crane printed the American Colonies' first paper money. It’s evolved over time but has remained deeply rooted in tradition. The Queen famously used Crane Stationery! 

 

The secret is in the printing. Not necessarily the paper. 

People often mistake Crane being known for incredible paper, but we feel the true magic is in the printing process. (Don’t get us wrong, their high quality paper made from cotton feels luxe in your hands, but other manufacturers do tend to have heavier papers. It’s not just about the paper in our eyes - it's more about the meticulous craftsmanship which really stands out in the printing!)   

 

Crane’s multiple printing processes allow for cards to really stand out from the crowd. Some of their cards when examined closely are truly exquisite. Many of Crane’s cards are a composite of multiple printing techniques, and some of the most artful printing methods that exist.  Your Crane card may have engraving, thermography, letterpress, embossing, foil stamping, or digital printed. It may be a combination of several of these techniques! 

 

Here's a closer look at the possible techniques: 

 

• Engraving:  Truly an art-form, an engraved design is highly detailed and executed by a professional. This professional engraver carefully etches the design and/or text into a copper plate, known as a die. Ink is applied to the die and then the paper is delicately and precisely pressed between the die and a handcrafted counter to yield a beautifully detailed and raised imprint. The raised ink design is often intricate and you can typically see delicate indentation of the text and graphics on the reverse side of the cardstock. Engraving is especially beautiful with metallic inks like silver and gold. 
• Thermography: Less expensive and faster than engraving, thermography somewhat mimics the look of engraving, although the ink is typically has a slight sheen. Thermography uses a polymer plate to transfer ink to the top of a paper. Then a resinous powder is added to the wet ink. Lastly, heat is applied activating the powder which results in a beautiful raised ink.
• Letterpress: Developed in the 15th century, this process is labor and time intensive. Prints are made one at a time with each print having its own variation. Details and type are set in reverse on a plate - so really the opposite of engraving.  Plates are inked and pressed into paper, usually through a printing press. Your text and designs will look indented into the paper - which is traditionally a cotton letterpress stock. Crane's Lettra paper is not only used by Crane but by many, many other printers in the industry. The soft fibers make it a perfect medium to absorb the inks during letterpress printing.
• Blind Embossing: The process is like engraving because a raised image is produced using a copper plate, but no ink is used leaving a more understated and classy impression.
• Digital Printing: Practical and cost effective, digital printing is a form of flat printing. There are no raised letters or plates. Ink is “sprayed” onto the paper rather than imprinting it. If you are having Crane print your family photo onto your holiday photo card, that photo will be digitally printed. While many printers offer digital printing these days, the combination of Crane's state-of-the-art printers and beautiful smooth, bright papers makes for a dazzling result.

 

Want to see an example? Take this Crane holiday greeting card, "Merry Ornaments." This card uses engraving and embossing on the cover and thermography printing on the inside. Look up close at the beautiful details! 

 

Here’s another example of this beautiful combination of printing in "Surprise Snowstorm Holiday Greeting Cards." The bronzed and silver engraved with blind embossing winter scene depicting deer in the woods is a perfect holiday greeting. 

This intricate Crane holiday greeting card, “White Christmas Church” has exquisite detail. Intricately engraved and embossed, your holiday greeting can be printed inside with thermography printing to give it a personalized touch. 

Aren't they beautiful? We have clients that frame their Crane holiday greeting cards each year - they are truly works of art!

We so appreciate the time and attention to detail that is used to produce these cards and hope you can, too. Seeing them in person really makes one say "wow!" Get your orders in soon so that you can take advantage of our sale - and get your cards in time for the holidays. As always, Debbie is available to help you design your one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Feel free to reach out for help!

Shopping Early for the Holidays

As September draws closer to the end, it seems like things are moving quickly into the holiday season. Once November hits, crunch time begins, and we start mapping out the following month of December. December is a beautiful time of year spent with friends, family, and lots of amazing food, but planning for this season is an entirely different story. While filled with joy, December can also be filled with stress. Getting everything you need in time isn’t easy, but we hope we can take some of the heavy lifting off of you this year. Here are some things you can start ordering now to get them off your very full plate come the holidays. 

Boxed Holiday Cards

These beautifully boxed cards are the perfect way to send season’s greetings to all your family, near or far. They come in a pack of ten and have a pre-printed sentiment inside so that they are everything but addressed when you get them. These come in a wide array of printing methods and price points. Boxed Holiday Cards tend to sell out early in the season, so be sure to shop early to get your favorite designs. Find these and more like them here.

Personalized Holiday Gift Tags 
 
Gift tags are an important thing to grab enough of during the holiday season, and it's always these small extra things you tend to forget about. You can personalize all of your text on these, and they come with a pre-drilled hole and string to attach to your gifts. These are great for keeping your gifts organized! With the hustle and bustle of gift wrapping, there is bound to be some confusion, and these will help! There are a variety of designs and colors, so you can choose from this one and more here.

Holiday Bottle Tags
 
These bottle tags are the perfect way to bring holiday cheer to any ordinary bottle or wine or liquor. Wine and liquor make  great gifts, These bottle tags can make something simple look like something well thought out and fun. Personalize with your own text to fit the holiday or occasion. Find this one here, or look at the many other styles of bottle tags that More than Paper has to offer here.

 

Holiday Photo Mount Cards
 
Holiday photo mount cards are an elegant and fun way to share your beloved photo with family and friends. While adhering the photo does take a little more work than a digitally printed photo card, the end result with mounting your own photo holds no comparison   Most cards can accommodate either a horizontal or vertical photo and most cards come with self-adhesive that you use to apply the photo to the card. Many of our cards are not only customizable in terms of the text on the inside, but you can also create the color scheme for the outside too which will most enhance your photo. This sample allows you to not only choose the foil color for the garland surrounding your photo, but also the background color!. You can view this design here or peruse through our vast collection of Holiday Photo Mount cards here.

 

Personalized Ornaments 
 
To make your tree feel like yours, personalized ornaments are a great place to start. These tasteful ornaments come with a gold cord and a pre-drilled hole, so it's ready for hanging. All you have to do is find the perfect spot for it!  Personalized ornaments are perfect for gifts or just for spicing up your own tree this year. We have tons of different designs and colors, find this one and many others here.

            
Getting ready for the holidays doesn't have to be done last minute, and it doesn’t have to be a stressful time! With these picks, you can have your cards, gift and bottle tags, and ornaments done before it begins to stress or worry you. Get ready now, so you can relax and really enjoy all that this joyous and wholesome season has to offer!