I’m a Stationery Freak. Here Are the Best Stationery Gifts. (original) (raw)
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
In a season full of small joys, is there anything better than illustrating your gift tags? Jotting down a handwritten thank-you note on customized cards? Unwrapping a fresh planner in the New Year? If those sentiments sound like someone you know, then you may have a stationery freak on your hands. The good news is there are many gifts out there for this exact type from all over the world. Portuguese marble notebooks, perfect Japanese planners, Italian glue sticks that smell like marzipan. The list goes on. To help, I’ve compiled a list of 43 great gift options below. Some are from our archive, some come recommended by other stationery lovers on staff, and others are from my own wish list.
Updated on December 15, 2025
Added a few extra gifts to the list, and all of my favorite stationery gifts have been updated with the latest stock and availability. Where applicable, I have noted where you may have to pay extra to get the gift in time for December 25. For more information, check out our brand-by-brand breakdown of holiday shipping times.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
An under-$20 starter fountain pen that’s been a favorite since the 1980s.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A stapler that doesn’t use staples may sound counterintuitive, but this machine binds paper together using some nifty paper folding.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A fully manual label-maker.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang picked up this “very clever” pen case while traveling in Taiwan.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Tidy your keyboard with this tabletop dustpan.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
These nifty paper clips can secure pens to the cover of notebooks.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A darling whale-shaped stapler from Italian office-supply brand Ellepi.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
For the journal enthusiast in your life, this self-inking rubber stamp is great for decorating their undated notebooks.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
For something a bit more twee, this date stamp features adorable kittens designed by illustrator Yumi Kitagishi. The stamp can be dated or undated, so it also makes a great option for gift tags or book stamps.
[_Editor’s note: Will arrive by Christmas if you select express shipping at checkout._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
For something a bit more minimal, try this ingenious interlocking calendar stamp from Shachihata.
[_Editor’s note: Will arrive by Christmas if you select overnight shipping at checkout._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
An OHTO ballpoint pen in a festive emerald green.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A set of paint markers that can be used on any material.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
John Steinbeck’s pencil of choice, which is embossed with the phrase Half the pressure, twice the speed …
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A Parisian desk pad for quickly jotting down to-do lists.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A rainbow of washi for dedicated journalers — especially great for decorating their pages or taping in ephemera like tickets or receipts.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
This box of 36 oil pastels inspired by Kyoto are hand-produced by Japan’s oldest pastel manufacturer.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A clever ClampTape dispenser that attaches to the side of a desk for easy access.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Some Portuguese marble for note-taking.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
If they’re a Hobonichi head, the New Year’s Techos are already out.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
To make the gift even more special, throw in this limited-edition pen made in collaboration with artist Yumi Kitagishi.
[_Editor’s note: Will arrive by Christmas if you select next-day delivery at checkout._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Twenty beautifully packaged oil pastels. Especially sweet for any kids on your list this year.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Strategist writer Erin Schwartz found these note cards at City Papery. Originally designed in 1931, they come in plenty of rich-looking colors.
[_Editor’s note: These note cards will not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Laila Gohar’s custom Italian stationery of choice.
[_Editor’s note: These note cards may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Stuck on a gift for your college-age cousin? The somewhat viral Louise Carmen roadbook should do the trick. Make sure you spring for the gris-gris.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Add some solid-gold journal jewelry to really take it over-the-top.
[_Editor’s note: This will not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
… and an almond-scented glue stick favored by Italian schoolchildren.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A box of 150 colorful drawing pins from Leone Dell’Era, an Italian stationery company that has been around since the 19th century.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A pot of nontoxic cornstarch glue in an unbelievably cute bottle.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
For the dedicated Kaweco Sport user, these slide-on clips make a fun accessory.
[_Editor’s note: Will arrive by Christmas if you select overnight shipping at checkout._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
This brass hand clip, made by very cool London stationery shop Choosing Keeping, is reminiscent of Mass-card holders. A little morbid, maybe, but in a good way.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
I also found this hefty aluminum pencil sharpener among Choosing Keeping’s excellent selection.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Museum gift shops are one of the best places to find sets of affordable notecards, counsels Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid, who recently picked up this holiday-themed set from Neue Galerie.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
In-office Secret Santa for your most industrious colleague? Try this set of pastel highlighters.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Strategist writer Martha Tuber has bought these Penco containers she calls “amazing” for kids and adults alike. The cases come in eight colors, including one that glows in the dark.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
For something with even more storage, try this well-designed Toyo toolbox.
[_Editor’s note: This may not arrive in time for Christmas._]
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Tuber also recommends these PVC pouches she picked up at Los Angeles–based stationery store Hightide.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
An on-sale sticker book from John Derian.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
A supercute notepad for cat lovers.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Astier de Villatte has an excellent selection of note cards covered in Grace Coddington’s charming illustrations.
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes
New! You can now save this product for later.
On the stamp front, you can’t go wrong with anything from New York institution Casey Rubber Stamps.
[_Editor’s note: This will not arrive in time for Christmas._]
- The 108 Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas
- The 28 Best Early Prime Day Deals (So Far)
- The Strategist Summer 100
- I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream See All
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.