Welcome to The Gentleman Stationer 2025 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 (including our recently expanded brick-and-mortar shop!) 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, 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, we offer a digital gift card option as well, which will generate a code that can be used in both the online shop and in-person.
During the holiday season - which gets busier every year - allow plenty of time for your order to arrive. While we typically ship orders within two business days, delivery times are unpredictable across carriers, and 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. International packages can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to arrive when shipped between November and January.
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, the Pilot Explorer and Kakuno, and the Platinum Preppy, Prefounte, and Plaisir models, 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 or Rollerball Pen. Most people appreciate a quality ballpoint or rollerball, and I’d venture that the majority of die-hard fountain pen enthusiasts have at least one solid pen option for the inevitable situation where a fountain pen just won’t work. The Anterique Stationers line of vintage-inspired ballpoints 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. Both pens are also available in a “mini” format. For those looking for a professional option with a classic look and an excellent refill, the Uni Jetstream Prime is a fabulous writer for the money, as is the Pilot S20 ballpoint which you can pair with a matching mechanical pencil or Legno Multi Pen. For rollerballs, the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball takes a Parker-style roller-gel cartridge that’s ultra smooth, and Lamy’s “Swift” retractable rollerball features a cool clip design that retracts into the barrel to prevent you from pocketing the pen with the tip extended and ruining your bag or clothes.
Functional Multi Pen Systems. In connection with the build out of our new shop, we’ve expanded our selection of multi pen systems (pens that take multiple refills and/or a mechanical pencil insert), and created a “station” at the back of our physical shop where you can choose a pen body and select from among compatible refills and components. We have Uni Jetstream and Pilot Acro Ink 4+1 pens (4 colors plus a mechanical pencil), the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto and Uni Style Fit gel pen systems, and a selection of D1 compatible multi-pens from Lamy.
Classic Pieces of Stationery History. Conversation pieces always make great gifts! 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 is a modern writing instruments based on a vintage German pocket pen design. Kaweco recently re-released the Sport in a piston model, which comes in either a brass or plastic body, depending on your price point. 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, quality woodcase pencils are 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 Viarco Vintage Pencil Sampler, which contains a dozen each of six different Portuguese vintage-inspired designs from the 1950s. This year, we’ve added additional pencils to the shop that include high-end Japanese graphite from companies such as Camel, Uni-Mitsubishi and Tombow. Most of our wood pencils can also be purchased individually, if you would like to create your own gift sampler.
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 and wide range of price points, 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 (we’ve recently added dozens of bottles to the shop), or even the annual 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 and I always make an effort to have plenty of holiday stock.
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 Object Index, Allex, and Nakabayashi. 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. We’ve also recently added Zenith staplers from Italy to our curation, which I love for their colorful style and ergonomic design.
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. This year we released our own exclusive, the TGS_25 Taschenbegleiter in the A5 Slim Size, in two different colors! 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, and accessories. Similarly, the “MD” line of notebooks from Japanese stationery company Midori come in a range of sizes, and Yamamoto’s Ro-Biki Note and Bullet Jotters offer unique takes on notebook systems that feature unusual Japanese papers.
Lochby Cases for the Writer on the Go. Lochby makes a wide range of durable, waxed canvas goods suitable for carrying stationery and more. They’ve recently expanded their range of cases and notebook covers from the original Field Journal to include the zippered Field Folio (available in B5, A5, and A6), as well as a Field Journal Mini compatible with pocket notebooks and the “Voyager” Journal compatible with A5 Slim refills. The cases that originally caught my eye, the Quattro Four-Pen Case, Tool Roll, and Venture Pouch, remain 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, the Endless Recorder, Rhodia 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. A recent addition I’m excited about is the Bindewerk flexible linen notebook, which features a lightly textured paper that’s wonderfully fountain pen friendly and comes in a range of colors and either dot grid or lined rulings. These notebooks are perfect for journaling, commonplacing, or notetaking 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 jumbo highlighter pencils from Caran d’Ache, and these Caran d’Ache Bicolor Pencils in Red/Blue, Red/Graphite and Yellow/Graphite. Anterique makes a set of “paint tube” highlighters that always draw comments in-store. 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.
Bookmarks. From the Craighill “Perch” Bookmark that conveniently rests atop the page, to more casual everyday tools such as Levenger library card bookmarks or a pack of Laconic paper bookmarks that allow you to organize or take notes, readers love bookmarks (and ALWAYS need more - speaking from experience here).
Portable Notebooks and Index Cards. 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 “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. Notsu Reporter Notebooks, Blackwing Reporter Pads, and the Field Notes “Frontpage” edition all sport a timeless style. Notsu, a brand specializing in ink-friendly notecards in various formats and sizes, makes a range of desk sets and accessories, including Centre Rise Notecard Sets/Stands and vegan leather notecard holders for writing on the go.
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). 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. Finally, Lamy’s “Pico” pocket ballpoint expands to a full-size writing instrument despite being the size of a tube of lip balm when closed, making it not just a practical tool for writing on the go but a fun fidget toy!
Pencil Accessories. As I mentioned above, I regularly gift wood pencils, including not just quality writing pencils but fun “novelties” such as the Begoody “No Smoking,” “Dynamite”, “Chopsticks”, and Rainbow pencils which add a touch of fun! Don’t forget that all pencil lovers enjoy related accessories, including sharpeners, handheld erasers, and pencil caps! If you have a mechanical pencil fan on your list, these metal lead cases are unique and not typically found outside Japan.
Enamel Pins. A fun way to allow your recipient to show their love for stationery, books, snail mail, and more! We offer high-quality enamel pins from iLootPaperie, and they’re colorful, humorous, and durable, sure to look great on a jacket lapel, bag, or notebook cover. Recent additions include this “Par Pigeon” hard enamel pin, a “Snail Mail Love” enamel badge, and a “Worn to a Nub” pencil pin (perfect for the holiday season or how we all may be feeling in general these days!).
Stickers and 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. This year I’ve also brought in more vinyl stickers, perfect to decorate notebooks and water bottles.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? We carry a wide range of other products including a full selection of fountain pens, quality papers, and more! Visit the main page to check out all of our brands, and if you are in the Nashville, Tennessee area, please come see us in person at our new Brick-and-Mortar Shop! Our normal hours are Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm, and Saturday from 10am-6pm. As always, thank you for your support!