Need some last minute pen gift ideas that won't break the bank? Get the best bang for your buck with these simple stocking stuffers, including a couple ideas that are $5 or less.
10 Fine Writing Stocking Stuffers Under $10
Pens
As you may have seen by browsing our massive inventory of over 10,000 products, we have pens that range in price and can go all the way up to the thousands of dollars. However, that doesn't mean a perfectly good pen gift can't be had for under $10, right?
Take the Platinum Preppy, for example. This Japanese-made starter fountain pen comes with a cartridge to start and can be converted to use as an eyedropper fill fountain pen so you can load it with your favorite bottled ink or ink sample.
If the gift recipient would rather use a ballpoint pen, we've got an excellent, Swiss-made pen that will bring out the inner superhero of writing. The Caran d'Ache 888 Infinite Justice League is a well-executed and designed pen that functions like a pen well above its price range. The long-lasting Swiss Ride refill will keep them writing well into the New Year.
For the artistic soul that wants to explore the art of handwriting, Sheaffer has a brilliant starter calligraphy kit for under a Hamilton. The Mini Calligraphy Kit has a pen body and three different nib widths to choose from, along with cartridges to get you inked and writing right away.
If you insist on a classic pen that has instant name recognition and the quality to match, then pick up a Parker Jotter ballpoint. Most styles of the Jotter can be had under $10. Add personalized engraving for $9.50 to make it a one-of-a-kind stocking stuffer gift that a pen lover would cherish for years to come.
Ink and Paper
As we discussed in our Guide to Shopping for a Pen Geek, writers consume ink and paper rapidly. The gift of a new notebook or bottle of ink is always welcome, especially if it is a brand or color that they haven't tried yet. Keep them inked up and writing for the next year(s) by providing them inks, refills, and notebooks to feed their stationery addiction.
Stuff their stocking with ink samples. These twist-top secure vials hold 2mL of ink, which is good for about a couple of fills with their fountain pen. They come in a wide variety of colors and allow the writer to explore a range of hues without having to spend big money in buying the full bottles.
We'll admit that the plastic vials aren't exactly the prettiest thing to find in your stocking. True fountain pen lovers will be excited to see the ink sloshing around in them. If you would like to put something a bit more substantial, you can always go for a 30mL bottle of Diamine ink (over 100 colors to pick from ) or a 10mL bottle of J. Herbin ink. The bottles themselves are quite small, inexpensive, and provide a fair amount of ink that will last for some time, depending on their writing habits.
When it comes to paper, Clairefontaine is one of the best for fountain pens. If you have a pen newbie on your shopping list, a a Wirebound Basics notebook will be deeply appreciated. Most people write on whatever they have access to and won't usually treat themselves to higher quality paper. Once they try a Clairefontaine, they won't want to go back!
For the on-the-go analog that prefers jotting notes down on paper rather than in an "app," Field Notes memo books are the popular choice. Pop one of these in your everyday carry for a variety of thought-catching uses, which are usually suggested in the interior cover of each edition. Speaking of editions, their quarterly limited releases are somewhat of a collector's item. "Sweet Tooth" is pictured below.
Last, but not least to mention on our list of fine writing stocking stuffers is a single pen pouch. We know how important it is to keep your writing instruments free of scrapes, scuffs and marks when you carry them around. A simple black pouch that we offer either in a sleeve or with a loop will adequately protect your pen from the hazards of travel.
Do you have any more suggestions on what you would like to see in your stocking that would be under $10? Please let us know by commenting below. Let us know if this post was able to help you narrow down your search or pick something nice for the writer on your list.