Gifts for the Hard-to-Shop-For Stationery Lover
We all have at least one hard-to-shop-for person on our list every year. Whether your gift recipient has it all already or they’re just extra picky, knowing what to give for the perfect gift can be a challenge!
Our biggest tip for gift-giving, especially when you don’t know what to get? Go for something useful. Look for things that will compliment items that you know that the recipient already loves. Whether that’s a new pen case for a treasured heirloom or bookmarks for a trusty journal, you can’t go wrong getting a gift that will make an already existing item or hobby even more enjoyable than it already is.
Even if the recipient already “has it all,” getting something that can be used and enjoyed is a way better gift than getting something that will just sit in a drawer. That’s also true if you accidentally get something that the recipient already has — if the gift is something they can use or replace when the time comes, they’ll already have your gift lined up. Plus, it shows you have good taste if you picked out something that they already have!
Lamy pen cases are sleek and stylish, so even the pickiest stationery lover will be able to use them.
For both everyday use and things that can be used and replaced, there are several things that will make even the pickiest of stationery lovers’ holiday lists. Here are our top suggestions for the person who is impossible to shop for.
Lamy Pen Cases
Whether your recipient enjoys mechanical pencils, fountain pens, ballpoints, or rollerballs (or even if you don’t know what they use), a classic pen case is a safe and stylish way to store treasured writing instruments and bring them on the go. The Lamy Pen Cases in particular are slim and portable, but durable enough to be put in a briefcase or backpack. The black leather also goes with any style, and it is so classic that you know it won’t be collecting dust with the shoulder pads in the closet when fashion choices change!
ystudio Classic Bookmarks Set
No matter if you’re looking for a specific page in your Bullet Journal or you’re saving your spot in a recent bestselling novel, a set of ystudio Classic Bookmarks is sure to be used and enjoyed. These bookmarks are sleek and sturdy, and they are inspired by passport stamps — making them perfect for the jetsetter and daydreamer alike!
Exclusive products, like the MacLellan Books Tomoe River pocketbooks pictured here, and new releases, like the Klein Blue Caran D’Ache 849 Ballpoint pen, are great starting points for the person who has it all.
Traveler’s Company Brass Number Clips
Similar to the ystudio Classic Bookmarks Set, the Traveler’s Company Brass Number Clips will help keep thoughts organized. The slim design means that these clips can slip over pages without making them too bulky, and the cutout numbers from 1–12 will make sure that nothing ever gets lost. The numbers are obviously perfect for the planner in your life to match the months of the year, but they could also work to highlight inspiration for the reader and priorities for the executive. Since most academic semesters at universities in Ontario run for 12 weeks, the numbered tabs will also help the student in your life separate out readings, class notes, or assignments by week. If you think that your recipient might get more use out of a large clip instead of the slim style, you could always try the Traveler’s Company 030 Brass Clip as well!
Monteverde pen flush
One way to shop for a hard-to-shop-for person is to look for things that can be used and replaced. If your recipient is a fountain pen user, it’s likely that they clean their pens fairly frequently! Though it isn’t needed for every clean, the Monteverde Pen Flush is something that will always be useful to make a pen sparkling from the inside out. This product also doesn’t have a shelf life, so it can be enjoyed years down the line, or it can wait to be used until the recipient runs out of their current pen flush!
Something that can be used and replaced is great for someone who “doesn’t need anything” — even if they don’t need a Monteverde pen flush right now, they probably will in the future!
Card Sets
We all know the feeling of needing a card at the last minute and having the stress of finding a quality card that will fit the occasion! A set of cards, like the ones from teNeues, Pineider, or Original Crown Mill, is a gift that will keep on giving all year long. With blank messages, there is no occasion that these sets can’t handle!
Midori D-Clips
Whether they’re adding personality to an art portfolio, a final essay, or a journal, the Midori D-Clips are a sure way to put a smile on an animal-lover’s face. Functioning just like your traditional paperclips, the D-Clips are twisted into fun shapes like dogs and cats! There is always a use for a paperclip, and these are a fun and affordable stocking stuffer for someone who has it all.
2020 special edition releases
If your loved one has a pen on their list but you’re not sure what they already have, going for a 2020 special edition pen is probably a good idea. Since these pens are more recent, it’s less likely that your recipient will have purchased them already. Plus, a special edition pen is unique to the year of purchase, so it will make an irreplaceable gift. Two recent options include the Sailor 1911 Pirate’s Life special edition fountain pen and the Glacier Blue Lamy Studio special edition.
A card set, like the Belle Epoque set from teNeues, is a great addition to any desk and will work for any occasion.
Exclusive products
For someone who has it all, going for something unique (but still practical!) is a great way to give a memorable gift. Luckily, we have a variety of products at Phidon that you can’t get anywhere else in the world. By purchasing a MacLellan Books notebook, you’ll know that you’re supporting two small businesses from the Waterloo Region and getting a quality notebook made with care. Our exclusive Diamine A Leap of Faith ink is a colour that the recipient can use for both work and play. You can read more about our collaborations with MacLellan Books here, and you can learn more about A Leap of Faith here.
Gift cards
When in doubt, a gift card is always an excellent option for the pickiest people in your life! Though some people avoid gift cards, they are the perfect way to ensure that your loved one gets exactly what they will use or need. Whether it will cover a whole new pen or stationery item or the amount is being put towards a larger purchase down the road, a gift card will help your recipient pick out a gift that will be exactly what they want.
What gifts would you recommend for a picky stationery lover? Let us know in the comments, and happy holidays!