Welcome to The Gentleman Stationer 2023 Holiday Gift Guide!
The Gentleman Stationer Holiday Gift Guide has been a holiday tradition since 2017, though it definitely has evolved over the years as we’ve opened our own small curated stationery store that allows us to put the products we love directly into your hands. My goal here, as always, is to pull together a selection of gift ideas appropriate not just for the seasoned stationery enthusiast (“obsessive”?) and collector, but also suitable for anyone who appreciate fine writing instruments, desk, and reading accessories and uses them primarily as practical tools for their everyday life. In my experience most people love to receive stationery as gifts, and this guide proposes different options across a variety of price points. For those who would prefer to gift store credit, this year we are offering a digital gift card option as well, which will generate a code that can be used in the shop.
Disclaimer: The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized reseller of all brands featured here. Given the current shipping situation, give yourself plenty of time to receive your order - I’d advise ordering ten days ahead of your “deadline” to be safe. If you are ordering internationally, please review our shipping policies that address issues such as customs and VAT thresholds.
Fine Writing Instruments (Pens and Pencils)
I’ve always focused on high quality ballpoint, rollerball, and gel pens, as well as nice pencils. Not only has the range of available options expanded dramatically in recent years, but these are practical gifts that your recipient will likely be able to use in a wide variety of situations, for years to come. Though I often discourage people from gifting fountain pens to both new and experienced fountain pen users, less expensive pens such as TWSBI’s “Swipe” and “ECO” models, as well as the simple cartridge pens such as the Kaweco Sport collections and the Midori MD fountain pens, do offer a relatively inexpensive gateway into the world of fountain pens that might be the perfect way to convert new users.
A Quality Ballpoint Pen. While fountain pens get most of the attention on the internet due to their unique appeal, the truth is that most people appreciate a quality ballpoint, and I’d venture that the majority of die-hard fountain pen enthusiasts have at least one solid ballpoint pen option for the inevitable situation where a fountain pen just won’t work. One addition to the store that’s been extremely successful this year has been the Anterique Stationers line of vintage-inspired ballpoints, which take the traditional “click pen” design and build on it by upgrading the build quality of the pen itself and the included “Mach Ball” refill. The brass-barrel Anterique Pens would make a very nice gift for both casual and dedicated pen lovers at less than $30. As in years past, I’m always partial to the Caran d’Ache 849, the iconic Swiss ballpoint that comes in an array of different colors and finishes. The larger, versatile 849 Rollerball takes a Parker-style ballpoint or gel refill in addition to the Caran d’Ache rollerball cartridge. This year, Caran d’Ache has brought back designer and artist-inspired editions such as the Paul Smith and Keith Haring pens, and we recently added the Colormat-X matte-finish pens. Finally, don’t forget the annual “Claim Your Style” pens, as well as classic workhorses such as the “Black Code”, the “Original” industrial metal finish, festive finishes such as the “Gold Bar” and “Brut Rosé”, with most of these latter editions also offered as a matching .7mm mechanical pencil, if you’d like to create a set for your gift recipient. For those considering a more offbeat, modern gift idea, Craighill’s “Kepler Pen” is sure to be a conversation starter at work, without looking too wild or out of place.
Classic Pieces of Stationery History. If you have a history buff on your list, consider a Caran d’Ache Fixpencil, a 2mm leadholder that bridges the gap between draftsman’s leadholder and mechanical pencil, originally developed to mimic the feel of a traditional woodcase pencil during a period of wartime material shortages that rendered traditional pencil manufacturing difficult. The Kaweco Sport pocket fountain pen, as well as the Kaweco “Sketch Up” Clutch Pencil, are modern writing instruments based on a vintage German pocket pen design. Similarly, Traveler’s Company makes a set of brass pocket pens in the traditional “bullet pencil” style, including not just a brass bullet pencil, but a ballpoint pen, rollerball pen, and even a fountain pen.
Fine Pencil Sets. One thing that has been important to me personally is to fill the void left by dedicated pencil retailers closing to pursue new opportunities. In my experience, a set of really good pencils is always appreciated as a gift because people enjoy them and it’s something they won’t necessarily splurge on and purchase for themselves. (My pencils tend to receive more admiring comments than even my fanciest fountain pens.) Consider the Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Gift Set, containing a set of three high-quality pencils made from three different woods found in Swiss forests, as well as a sharpener and eraser, nicely packaged for gifting. This year, we’ve added additional pencil sets to the shop that include high-end Japanese graphite from companies such as Camel, Uni-Mitsubishi and Tombow. For those who draw or might like to add a pop of color to their journal, we’ve brought in “Colour Sets” from Caran d’Ache and Midori, as well as full drawing sets from Uni.
A Fountain Pen Gift Idea. In the past, I’ve shied away from recommending fountain pens as gifts. Experienced fountain pen users tend to be, ahem, “particular” about their preferences, and a fountain pen for a new user can often turn out to be an expensive gamble if the gift doesn’t catch on. With the release of the versatile TWSBI Swipe fountain pen, however, you can offer someone a high-quality writing experience in the form of a fountain pen that comes complete with a cartridge, two different converters, and a reliable nib. The Kaweco Sport, with its multiple color options, is also a low-risk gift idea. For experienced fountain pen enthusiasts, I’d recommend a bottle of ink in a color you’d think they would enjoy over a new pen, and this year we even have an ink Advent calendar: the Diamine “Inkvent” Calendar, which includes 24 15ml bottles of ink, plus a 30ml bottle to open on the 25th!
Gifts for Readers and the Home Office
I’ve organized a significant portion of the Curated Shop around desk and reading accessories, not least because I think it’s a neglected category with appeal across the different constituencies of analog enthusiasts, from pen addicts to pencil lovers to typists. It also presents opportunities for thoughtful gifts sure to be treasured for years.
Desktop Hourglasses. This classic desk accessory, available in multiple colors ranging from clear to sea glass green, can serve as a timer for anything from pomodoro-style working intervals to meditation to steeping tea or coffee. Personally, I love timing devices without a jarring alarm, and apparently others feel similarly because these sandglasses from Hightide have been among the most in-demand products in the shop.
Folding Metal Book Stands. Another simple, practical gift for the dedicated reader and researcher, these Hightide book stands come in an array of bright colors, and conveniently fold flat when not in use. In addition to holding books open, I regularly use them to hold marked up manuscripts, handwritten notes, writing pads, and even tablets.
Quality Scissors and Other Desk Tools. We want people to come to our shop and be able to envision their entire desk setup, from timing devices like hourglasses to book stands to high-quality precision scissors. Our collection of high-end desk scissors is something I’m particularly proud of, as we now feature brands such as Allex, Nakabayashi, HMM Project, and Midori, among others. These make excellent gifts for anyone who works with paper, as good scissors fall into that category of necessary items that people often don’t think to buy for themselves.
A Quality Desktop Calendar or Writing Pad. WMS & Co. makes excellent undated desk calendars and writing pads, with the latter containing 200+ sheets of heavy paper stock and featuring a range of different gilded finishes and color treatments. The undated desk calendars are fountain pen friendly and come in both full-size and “keyboard” format, with the latter designed to sit underneath your keyboard as you work at your desk.
Gifts for Journaling and the Serious Writer or Traveler
As far as gifts go, I’m always happy with a nice notebook, given that I fill up close to a dozen per year. Truly, what journaling or handwriting enthusiast doesn’t appreciate great paper, or a nice cover to hold said paper? I’ve never had an unsuccessful gifting experience with a quality notebook or journal.
Refillable Notebook Covers. A quality notebook cover can be refilled and reused for years. We’ve grown this product category significantly over the past year, bringing in German manufacturer Roterfaden and their range of Taschenbegleiter (“Bag Companion”) organizers with a versatile clip-based system. Another classic option is a Traveler’s Notebook, which comes perfectly packaged in a “Starter Kit” suitable for gifting. You can also select from a wide range of refills, including diaries/calendars, specialty papers for art and crafts, the unique “B-Sides and Rarities” collection, as well as accessories including sticky notes and folders. Similarly, the “MD” line of notebooks from Japanese stationery company Midori are excellent notebooks that come in a range of sizes (including the unique “B6 Slim” that everyone asks me about), and Midori also makes notebook covers in both natural goat leather AND a durable Japanese paper that takes on a unique texture as it ages.
Lochby Cases for the Writer on the Go. Lochby makes a wide range of durable, waxed canvas goods suitable for carrying stationery and more. While the Field Journal is what originally caught my eye, the Quattro Four-Pen Case, Tool Roll, and Venture Pouch are all excellent gift ideas, with the latter two useful for carrying more than stationery!
High-Quality Bound Journals. Please, show people that there’s an entire world out there beyond Moleskine! If you know someone who loves the classic black leatherette notebook style, Rhodia’s webnotebook and the Quo Vadis Habana use quality French paper from the Rhodia-Clairefontaine mill that will handle fountain pen ink as well as most anything else you can throw at it. Baltimore, Maryland-based Write Notepads has some of the best paper on the market, and in addition to their range of excellent spiral notebooks and writing pads, these handsomely bound hardcover notebooks each have 160 pages of premium paper in lined or dot ruling, perfect for journaling, commonplacing, or note-taking with pretty much any writing instrument.
High-end Highlighters and Annotation Tools. I tend to be an active reader who loves marginalia in both my books and my journals. I always keep special purpose pens and pencils on hand for underlining, highlighting, annotating, and taking notes on index cards. We stock a wide range of quality highlighter markers and pencils, including dual-tone and dual-tip highlighter markers, jumbo highlighter pencils from Caran d’Ache, and these Caran d’Ache Bicolor Pencils in Red/Blue, Red/Graphite and Yellow/Graphite. All of these make great gifts for readers, and especially for “commonplace bookers” who keep a separate journal of their reading.
Stocking Stuffers and Smaller Gifts (Secret Santa, etc.)
I’m placed in charge of stocking stuffers every year in my house, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I draw heavily on my massive stash of pocket notebooks, pocket pens, and pencils. Who doesn’t love small, practical gifts that you can put to use immediately?
Book Darts. Dare I say Book Darts make the greatest stocking stuffer of all time? Whether you’re a reader, journaler, or researcher, these archivally safe page markers come in three different finishes (brass, bronze, and stainless steel), as well as a T.G.S.-exclusive tin. (You can probably guess what my family’s getting this year.)
Bookmarks. From the Craighill “Perch” Bookmark that conveniently rests atop the page, to metal page markers from WMS & Co and Craighill or more casual everyday tools such as a pack of Laconic paper bookmarks that allow you to organize or take notes, readers always love bookmarks (and ALWAYS need more - speaking from experience here).
Pocket and Reporters Notebooks. I give out pocket notebooks every year as stocking stuffers and they are always well-received. Depending on who you’re shopping for, Field Notes offers endless options for tailoring your gift to their interests and location, including sets like the Nashville-themed Hatch Show Prints collaboration and the “National Parks” editions. For those looking for something different, or shopping for a list-maker, a top-wirebound reporter’s notebook makes a great addition to their daily carry. The Write Notepads Reporter’s Notebook features exceptional fountain pen friendly paper, the Field Notes “Frontpage” edition and “Heavy Duty” notebooks also have their fans, and these Maruman Mnemosyne A7 top-bound notepads are exceptionally pocketable.
Pocket Pens. Even people who normally don’t think twice about what they’re writing with appreciate the convenience and utility of a quick-deployment pocket pen. For a vintage-inspired look, remember to consider the Traveler’s Company “Brass” lineup, which feature both a classic vintage “bullet pencil” as well as a similarly styled needle-tip ballpoint. The latter is one of my favorite writing instruments to use while reading, since it clips neatly to the front of your book and the refill has true “write anywhere” capabilities (as well as a fine point for annotation). Finally, Japanese company Penco has their “Perfection” pocket pens in both coated brass and lightweight plastic, and they even have pocket sized drafting pens and pencils.
Pencils. You don’t need to splurge on a luxury pencil set. I regularly stuff stockings with standard writing pencils, as well as colored pencil sets for drawing and annotation. I have options from Japanese pencil-makers Camel, Midori, Tombow, and Uni, as well as Swiss company Caran d’Ache. Don’t forget that all pencil lovers enjoy a good sharpener, including standard and long-point brass models from M+R.
Enamel Pins. A fun way to allow your recipient to show their love for stationery, books, and more! These high-quality enamel pins from iLootPaperie are colorful, humorous, and durable, sure to look great on a jacket lapel, bag, or notebook cover. The “Science’ and “Reading” themes have been enduringly popular. (And of course, we have a TGS pin for Gentleman Stationer readers!)
Washi Tapes. Otherwise known as Japanese-style masking tape, washi tape has exploded in popularity as both a useful desk accessory AND an easy way to add personality to your notes and journals. I maintain a stock of unique washi tapes that I carefully curate to reflect not only my own diverse interests but (hopefully) a good sense of humor.
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