Another Holiday Gift Guide
for the scriveners and scribblers in your life
Having a gifted gift-giver in your life is both a blessing and a curse. You will feel seen! You will feel loved! But then oh shit, it’s time to reciprocate. What to get for the gifter in your life? Herewith, a few options from the world of stationery. (Nothing on this list is sponsored, although my DMs are open…)
For the adorable weirdo who loves tiny things
We all have a friend who delights in the miniature. Perhaps they need a Wancher PuChiCo Mini Fountain Pen? Just note, these pens don’t take ink cartridges so you will have to buy a bottle of ink. Might I suggest an adorably tiny 10ml vial of Herbin? My personal favorite is the awkwardly-named Vert Empire.
Not fanciful enough? Hmm, how about a faithful facsimile of miniature 16th-century Book of Hours from the Vatican library?
For the transmasculine person newly obsessed with pink
Is this too niche? It feels like a transmasculine rite of passage to discover that you actually loved pink all along. If this sounds like someone you know, perhaps they need a pad of pale pink Crown Mill writing paper, pink washi tape, and a vibrant Platinum Preppy (the best fountain pen available at its price point in my personal opinion).
For the recovering “gifted” kid
One thing about those sweet, burned-out babies is that they remain nostalgic for school supplies. Give them highlighters for color-coding: I like the soft, calming shades of this “natural mild” Zebra Midliner set. For more organizational thrills: novelty sticky notes from Korean company Iconic, and a few Kokuyo translucent organizational folders, which I myself still use to store notes and chapter drafts.
For the Goth Baddie
We love them and they love that Bauhaus song about Bela Legosi. Might I suggest a wonderfully wand-like dip pen?
You might pair it with the blackest of black inks, illuminated washi tape, and these absurd scissors.
What to get the person with intimidatingly good taste?
Keep it simple with a Kaweco Sport. Nobody in the history of writing has ever been disappointed to receive one. (Shout out to Daniel Levin who got me my first!) I recommend a fine or extra fine nib: these are German pens so they run thicker.
And finally, for kids!
You can’t go wrong with adorable animal pencil cases. Unless you are one of those parents who insists on an all-wood aesthetic for the kinder, in which case perhaps a Lamy’s ABC fountain pen (also available for lefties).
Looking to shop in person? You can find these treasures or similar at brick-and-mortar stores all over: Atlas Stationers (Chicago), Boston General Store (MA), Dromgoole’s (TX), Hightide (LA), Kinokuniya (nyc and LA), ( Paper Plant (LA), nico neco (nyc), Shorthand (LA), St Louis Art Supply (Missouri), Vanness (Arkansas) Yoseka (Brooklyn), and many other places that I hope you tell me about when you find them.