1Traveler's Notebook, regular size
The Traveler's Notebook is a cult favourite among stationery fans. It's a hand-made leather cover that holds slim notebooks on elastic bands, so they can add diaries, sketchbooks and pockets as they go. The leather darkens and softens with use, so every one ends up different.
Pros
- Leather ages beautifully.
- Refills can be swapped and added.
- A true stationery classic.
Cons
- They'll want extra refills, sold separately.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Traveler's Company product page ↗
2Leuchtturm1917 A5 dotted notebook
Bullet journal fans love the Leuchtturm1917 because it's set up for planning. The pages are numbered, there's a blank contents page at the front, two ribbon markers, a back pocket and stickers for labelling the spine. The dotted grid suits lists, sketches and writing alike.
Pros
- Numbered pages and contents page.
- Two ribbon markers.
- Dotted grid suits anything.
Cons
- Fountain pen ink can show through the 80gsm paper.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Leuchtturm1917 product page ↗
3Blackwing 602 pencils, 12-pack
Blackwing pencils have a following among writers, artists and musicians. The 602 has a firm, smooth graphite core that stays sharp for longer, a cedar body and the distinctive replaceable flat eraser.
Pros
- Smooth, long-lasting point.
- Replaceable eraser.
- Twelve pencils.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Blackwing product details on Amazon UK ↗
4Uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencil
The Kuru Toga solves the oldest pencil problem, a lead that wears flat on one side. A small gear turns the lead every time it touches the paper, so the point stays sharp and lines stay crisp. It uses strong 0.5mm leads and has a spare eraser under the button.
Pros
- Lead stays sharp as they write.
- Fewer broken leads.
- Cheap but clever.
Cons
- Light pressure writers notice the effect most.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Uni product page ↗
5Tombow Dual Brush pens, 10-pack
Tombow Dual Brush pens are the go-to for hand lettering and colourful journals. Each pen has a flexible brush tip for thick and thin strokes and a fine tip for detail. The water-based inks blend together, and the tips clean themselves after blending.
Pros
- Brush tip and fine tip in one.
- Colours blend smoothly.
- Great for lettering.
Cons
- Can bleed through thin paper.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Tombow product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves stationery
Stationery lovers know their brands, so pick well-loved names over novelty sets. The best gifts for stationery lovers are the notebooks, pencils and pens that feel special to use. Find out whether they journal, draw or letter before choosing. A good notebook is always a safe bet.
How we picked these gifts for stationery lovers
We picked each product for what stationery lovers enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
