Gifts for Writers and Journalers

People who write by hand get particular about paper and pens in a way that surprises everyone else: they notice whether ink bleeds through and whether a notebook lies flat. Writers who type have their own fixations. A good gift is usually a better version of a tool they use daily, or a book that gets them past a blank page.

Under $25 10 ideas

  1. Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large

    The familiar black notebook that lives in a bag and gets filled with ideas. Best with gel or ballpoint pens.

    Moleskine

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  2. Midori MD Notebook A5

    Cream paper in a simple cover that lies flat. Takes fountain-pen ink well, and minimalists love it.

    Midori

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  3. Field Notes Original Kraft Memo Book (3-Pack)

    Pocket notebooks for grocery lists, story ideas and overheard dialogue. Writers go through them at a steady pace.

    Field NotesStocking stuffer

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  4. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen

    A metal-bodied fountain pen with a smooth Japanese nib, often recommended as the best first fountain pen. Comes with a cartridge and converter.

    PilotStocking stuffer

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  5. Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens (6-Pack)

    Archival ink that will not fade or smudge, in a range of tip sizes. Bullet journalers use these for every line and border.

    SakuraStocking stuffer

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  6. Tombow Dual Brush Pens (10-Pack)

    A brush tip for hand lettering and a fine tip for detail. The usual choice for journal headers and spreads.

    Tombow

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  7. Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal

    One question a day, answered for five years on the same page. Good for people who want to journal but freeze in front of a blank page.

    Potter StyleBook

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  8. 642 Things to Write About

    A book of short, odd prompts with space to write right on the page. Gets stuck writers moving.

    San Francisco Writers' GrottoBook

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  9. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

    A funny, honest book about writing badly first and getting better. Writers reread it whenever they get stuck.

    Anne LamottBook

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  10. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

    Half memoir, half practical advice from someone who has written a lot. Readable even for people who do not like his novels.

    Stephen KingBook

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Under $50 5 ideas

  1. LEUCHTTURM1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

    The standard bullet-journal notebook, with numbered pages, an index and two ribbon markers. Comes in many colors.

    LEUCHTTURM1917

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  2. Rhodia Webnotebook A5

    Very smooth paper that fountain-pen users love, because ink sits on top without feathering. A treat for anyone who writes with a nice pen.

    Rhodia

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  3. LAMY Safari Fountain Pen

    The classic first fountain pen: sturdy, smooth and easy to refill. Comes in a lot of colors.

    LAMY

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  4. TWSBI ECO Fountain Pen

    A clear piston-filling pen that holds a lot of ink and shows it sloshing inside. For the writer ready to use bottled ink.

    TWSBI

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  5. Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink, 50ml

    Beautiful Japanese inks in a gorgeous bottle. A favorite among fountain-pen users, and a good add-on for anyone who already owns a pen.

    PilotGets used up

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Under $100 2 ideas

  1. Traveler's Company Traveler's Notebook, Regular Size, Brown

    A leather cover with swappable paper inserts that ages beautifully with use. A cult favorite among journalers, and it becomes theirs over time.

    Traveler's Company

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  2. Logitech MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard

    A quiet, comfortable keyboard for writers who put in long sessions at a laptop. Switches between three devices with a button.

    Logitech

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$100 and up 2 ideas

  1. Kindle Scribe

    A large e-ink tablet that works like writing on paper, with no glare or notifications. Drafts and journals live in one place, and handwriting converts to text.

    Amazon

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  2. Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen

    A retractable fountain pen that clicks open like a ballpoint, so it is quick for jotting notes. A gold nib that people use for decades.

    Pilot

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