Under My Own Tree: My Delightful Dozen for This Christmas

Of course I love all our products, but if pressed, I do have favorites. (It’s okay for Levengerites to have favorites with products—they aren’t children, after all. Well, actually, they are in a way, as we devote a lot of time to making sure they’re the best they can be and well-mannered, too.)

And so I’d like to share with you my 12 personal favorites for Christmas this year. Only one costs more than $100, which is fitting in this bah-humbug economy.

Here they are—my Twelve Delights of Christmas Presents (including a ghost from Christmas Past):

1. Bloomsbury Stocked Bookbag, $58

 Even Santa wants this bag, a delight to give all the booklovers you love. The $30 worth of bookish treasure inside is a bonus; the trusty bag will please for years to come.

2.    Double Zip Eyeglass Case, on sale at $38

Almost anyone can enjoy this superior design for holding two sets of glasses. It clears up one (or two) of life’s little hassles. Gorgeous leather in our gorgeous gratis gift box.

 3.    Shirt Pocket Briefcase, $38

This Levenger classic never needs recharging—except with more 3x5 cards. It’s amazing to me how many technology lovers won’t be without their so-very-retro Pocket Briefcase. Beautifully gift boxed, too.

4.    Bomber Jacket Slim Wallet, $58

Man-o-man, this leather will win him over. It’s instantly worn in, while resisting ever looking worn out. If leather could be comfort food, this would be it. Gift boxed, of course.

5.    Lapreader, $38

 Levenger is the world’s epicenter for lap desk and reading pillow designs, and our new Lapreader has taken off like Harry Potter. Marvelous for all types of readers. (Even our two dorm-dwelling sons dig theirs.)

6.    Lapster, $128

Does someone you know just love to read and write in bed? If so, your loved one is in good company indeed—from Winston Churchill to Edith Wharton. This is the gift of productive luxury they might treasure the very most.

7.    Ledgerdomain Journal, $26

We wanted to make a journal as good as they ever were—maybe better. Our customers concluded that we just may have done it with the Ledgerdomain. And a leading journaler, bestselling author Gail Godwin, has given it two thumbs up.

8.    Circa Irresistible Kit, $40

How do Circa lovers spread the joy? They buy their friends this kit. You may not think paper and plastic is the sexiest gift, but if it’s organization they want in 2010, this is the ticket. The kit includes lots of Circa goodies, plus—and this is what makes it irresistible— a $40 gift card. You won’t have to stand under the mistletoe for them to kiss you.

9.     L-Tech Rollerball, $68 

Does he go for manly tools? Heavy ratchets and socket sets? This solid-brass pen was born in the same factory. You can’t heft it without going “Wow.” And it can write fine or thick and everything in between with our German precision-made refills. (Get the sampler pack to go with.)

10.    True Writer, Kyoto, $46

A traditional pen for Christmas—how wonderfully retro. This Levenger favorite can write either like a liquid rollerball, or for a mile with the long-lasting ballpoint refill (included). Be sure to order the ballpoint sampler, which is such fun for them to try out. Get ready to hear, “Ah…that’s beautiful!”

11.    John F. Kennedy: His Inaugural Address (book and DVD), $48

Watch the actual footage of Kennedy’s inaugural and then see how it came to life. The working documents seem to float off the page into your hands. So many answered Kennedy’s call—including David McCullough—and here’s why the words held such power (still do). Inspire your own loved one to ask how to help this country we love. A coffee-table scrumptious book that’s much more than just pictures.

12.    The Prompt Copy of A Christmas Carol, $48

I had no idea what a prompt copy meant when this project began with The New York Public Library: it’s the copy an actor uses on stage. And this is the gorgeous and quite useful reproduction of the single copy that Charles Dickens himself owned and lovingly edited down for his own public readings. Now you can read it yourself on stage, or in your home, in the version the master storyteller found most rewarding for live audiences.

13.    Book Bungee, $6 (5 for $20)

Because every dozen needs one more—here are five Bungees jumping into stockings with care. These Levenger classics are a sure-fire hit for the readers ‘round your tree. Elegantly do they keep your page and protect your book.

And yes, there’s still time—but not too much—to give these or your own favorites.

 I hope Levenger brings joy and delight to all those whose lives you make merry and bright.

Cheers.

—Steve

Comments

[Frankie Morgan]

I love Levenger and went to the store often when it was in Delray Beach. I do not do malls and least of all Boca Mall; you did the business an injustice when you moved there.

[steve leveen]

Thank you for your comment and your business with us. We used to love our outlet here in Delray Beach, but when we moved our warehouse to Memphis (a very green thing to do), it made no sense to ship returns and blemished merchandise the 1,000 miles back to Delray Beach. We opened in the mall to be convenient to most customers in our local area, but I do realize it was more convenient for some to just drive to our headquarters here in Delray. In any event, we have returns available to you, wherever you live, on our eBay outlet; and more merchandise than we can ever carry in a store is available at Levenger.com. I hope you’ll continue to be our customer. All best wishes to you. Steve

[Allison]

I just bought my first fountain pen(plumster on a diet) and I'm thrilled that I bought it from Levenger. I went on to buy the 5 year journal. The quality of this journal is far above my expectation. I plan to buy a few more copies for gifts. I wish I had found this sooner!! I've had contacts with customer service several times via email with questions after questions about your products and always got a response, and C.S. is always making a comment that Levenger wants to make sure that I am 100% satisfied with any purchases that I make and if not, "they will make it right." I plan to continue to do business with you and as long as you provide the high quality in your products and the customer service, you will be in business for many many years to come.
New customer in Connecticut

[Sherry Rentschler]

Steve, I'm giving several of Item 7 and over a dozen of #13. Bless Levenger. And thank you for all you seek out for us. At my best, writing becomes a luxurious joy, and even when my writing is not so hot, I feel empowered that I "will" succeed. How can I not surrounded with journals, pens, inks, address books, tote bags and ear bud holders so deliciously functional and beautiful? Merry Christmas to you and yours and see you in the new year!

[S. Terenzio]

Steve,

I have only recently discovered Levenger. Great items, and I like the classical approach you take.

I arrived too late, apparently, to purchase the Laplearner. Please bring it back.

Best,

Steve

[Steve Leveen]

Dear Folks,

A Happy New Year thank you to all. I'm especially heartened by our new customers. Isn't it a wonderful thing to write with your first fountain pen--that last mechanical reproduction of the feather? Wishing you all an enchanting 2010.

Steve

[Wanda Cuniff]

I am very happy with my new Bloomsbury Book bag, with which I treated myself for Christmas, and love the extras...but can you identify the little plastic whatsits in green, blue and yellow...they seem to be some kind of tiny clip????
Mystified in Nacogdoches.

[mim harrison]

Dear Wanda,

Yes, those are multi-colored Mini Clips for holding mini stacks of paper together. We're glad you're enjoying your bag.

Regards from all of us at Levenger.

[Summer]

Hi there, I wanted to know what weight paper should be used for the Circa notebooks. I noticed that the paper for it is 60 lb paper, and I read somewhere that ideally it should be 20-60 lb paper. I want to use regular legal ruled paper that is 16 lb. Do you think it'll work?

[Steve Leveen]

Dear Summer,

I'm delighted to hear that you're making Circa your own. The reason we recommend a heavier weight paper is that it will better withstand being removed from the rings and refiled elsewhere in your notebook. Lighter-weight paper can only take so much tugging. Try it, but if you're not happy with the results, go to a heavier paper. Best, Steve

[Christopher Olander]

You are missing the iPad boat! I researched cases for the device exhaustively, and finally ordered a very inexpensive faux leather ipad case. See http://www.handhelditems.com/luxury-padiwallet-leather-case-ipad-black-free-screen-protector-p-134761.html

The case for an iPad needs to be as slim as possible, but provide just enough storage for a sheet of paper or cleaning cloth. The one on the link above is just fine, BUT, unlike Apple's case (it takes real effort to get the iPad out once it is in), the iPad will slide out where it slid in, without much more than rotating the case, when open, in the wrong direction. A simple snap tab on the left side would eliminate the problem. My point is to take the design of the referenced case, add the snap closure, perhaps make it out of very thin, fine leather, and they'll be beating down your door for one!

[Steve Leveen]

Dear Christopher,

I see you, too, are an iPad fan. We certainly share your passion at Levenger for having the right gear for this wondrous tech tool. If you enter "iPad" into the Search box on the Levenger.com homepage, you'll find a slew of bags and other items that are iPad-friendly. Meantime, I've shared your remarks with our designers. Many thanks!

All best,
Steve