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Stationery Times

Best Stationery Gifts Under $25: 10 Picks for 2026

By · Published · 8 min read

Compiled from 11 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

On published specs, the best stationery gifts under $25 are a Midori MD Notebook A5 for a writer, a Pilot Kakuno for a first fountain pen, a uni Kuru Toga for a student and a uni Jetstream 4&1 for someone who color-codes. All ten picks sit in our $$ band ($5–20 per item) and refill or use real paper.

On this page10 sections
Ten stationery gifts under $25 drawn to scale on one baseline: Midori MD Notebook A5, Pilot Kakuno, uni Kuru Toga, Jetstream 4&1, Platinum Preppy, Zebra Sarasa Grand, Tombow MONO Zero, Midori Clip Ruler, Rhodia No. 16 DotPad and Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
The ten picks drawn to scale (1 mm = 0.75 px); every one sits in our $$ band, $5–20 per item.

Products compared

  1. Midori MD Notebook A5 with its cream cover and cloth spine, closed and opened flat on 7 mm lined pagesNo. 1Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages$$Read the guide →
  2. Gray Pilot Kakuno with the cap posted, drawn to scale, with an inset of the smiley-face steel nibNo. 2Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen$$Read the guide →
  3. Black uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencil drawn to scale, with the lead's rotation per stroke insetNo. 3Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil$$Read the guide →
  4. Navy uni Jetstream 4&1 multi pen with the blue ballpoint out, drawn to scale, with an end view of its slidersNo. 4uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen$$Read the guide →
  5. Platinum Preppy with black ink and the cap posted, drawn to scale, with a close-up of the steel nibNo. 5Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen$$Read the guide →
  6. Zebra Sarasa Grand 0.7 mm gel pen with a gold brass barrel, drawn to scaleNo. 6Zebra Sarasa Grand Retractable Gel Pen$$Read the guide →
  7. Silver Tombow MONO Zero round eraser beside handwriting with one letter erased, with its 2.3 mm tip insetNo. 7Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip$$Read the guide →
  8. Midori Clip Ruler in brass drawn to scale, with its clip, 10 cm scale, ruling slots and cat stencilsNo. 8Midori Clip Ruler$$Read the guide →
  9. Black Rhodia No. 16 DotPad A5, closed and open with the cover folded back to a dotted sheetNo. 9Rhodia No. 16 DotPad, A5, top-stapled, black cover$$Read the guide →
  10. Capped black Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen drawn to scale, with a close-up of the bristle brush tipNo. 10Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3), black$$Read the guide →
ProductBrand originMade inPrice range
Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages (blank, lined, grid, dot grid or frame)MidoriJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Pilot Kakuno Fountain PenPilotJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil (M5-450, 0.5 mm)uniJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm + 0.5 mm pencil; MSXE5-1000)uni-ballJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen (02 EF / 03 F / 05 M)PlatinumJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Zebra Sarasa Grand Retractable Gel Pen (US, 0.7 mm, brass barrel)ZebraJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip (57305 / EH-KUR)TombowJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Midori Clip Ruler (brass, Cat and Decoration designs; also copper and stainless steel)MidoriJapanChina*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Rhodia No. 16 DotPad, A5, top-stapled, black cover (16559C)RhodiaFranceFrance*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3), blackPentelJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per item
Notes on these facts
  • Midori MD Notebook A5, 176 pages (blank, lined, grid, dot grid or frame): Made by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo); the MD line is now sold as MD PRODUCT. Made in Japan: Midori's Japanese MD PRODUCT store gives 原産国 (country of origin) Made in Japan for the A5, as did the older Midori online store listing for the lined A5 (15294006). The Journal Shop, Galen Leather and Boston General Store agree. Source. Released: Designphil's February 23, 2018 press release says Midori launched the MD Notebook in 2008 and marked its 10th anniversary in January 2018; Midori's store says the notebook reached 15 years in 2023, when it was renewed with MD Paper covers.
  • Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen: Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan). Made in Japan: Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin, and Mynavi News calls the Kakuno a domestic (kokusan) fountain pen. Pilot's Japanese catalog page for FKA-1SR (read in full on October 20, 2026) doesn't state a country. LarryPost, cited earlier, no longer loads. Source.
  • Uni Kuru Toga Standard mechanical pencil (M5-450, 0.5 mm): Made by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: per retailer spec sheets (The Journal Shop: country of origin Japan; Bungu Store: made in Japan). Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product pages don't state it. Source.
  • uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen (0.38 / 0.5 / 0.7 mm + 0.5 mm pencil; MSXE5-1000): Made by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: The Journal Shop lists Japan as the country of origin for the 0.5 mm 4&1. Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product page and press releases don't state it. Source. Released: Mitsubishi Pencil's February 17, 2011 press release says the Jetstream 4&1 first came out in November 2008.
  • Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen (02 EF / 03 F / 05 M): Made by Platinum Pen Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Made in Japan: per retailer listings: Hunter Paper Co says made in Japan and Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin (both read on October 20, 2026). Platinum's Japanese product pages don't state it. Source.
  • Zebra Sarasa Grand Retractable Gel Pen (US, 0.7 mm, brass barrel): Made by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation. Country of manufacture not stated: Zebra doesn't state it, and listings disagree: OnTimeSupplies gives China as the country of origin for the gold 0.7 mm pen (45511), while unsharpen lists Japan. Zebra Japan's page for its own Sarasa Grand doesn't state it either. Check the package.
  • Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip (57305 / EH-KUR): Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: STL Art Supply says the MONO Zero 2.3 mm eraser is made in Japan, and Officeworks in Australia lists Japan as the country of manufacture for its black round MONO Zero. Tombow's Japanese page doesn't state a country, and we found no reliable origin for the ER-KUR refills. Source.
  • Midori Clip Ruler (brass, Cat and Decoration designs; also copper and stainless steel): Made by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo). Made in China: Midori's Japanese online store gives 原産国 (country of origin) MADE IN CHINA on all four current versions: Cat A (42291006), Decorative pattern A (42292006), Copper A (42290006) and Silver A (42289006). Some English-language shops say "Made in Japan"; the maker's listing wins. Source. Released: Midori's customer notice dates the first Silver (42229006) and Copper (42230006) Clip Rulers to July 14, 2020. The current "A" versions carry newer item numbers; we found no date for them.
  • Rhodia No. 16 DotPad, A5, top-stapled, black cover (16559C): Made by Clairefontaine Rhodia (Exacompta Clairefontaine group); sold in the US by Exaclair. Made in France: Rhodia says all its notepads are manufactured at its plant near Mulhouse, Alsace; its 2024 French press kit places the plant at Illzach, on the edge of Mulhouse, since 1997. Retailers The Journal Shop, Dromgooles, Bruneau and Wonderpens also list the No. 16 as made in France. Source. Released: 1934 is when Rhodia launched its stapled pad (Rhodia press kit); the dot ruling came later, and the black cover in 2007.
  • Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3), black: Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide and 2022 catalog give the origin of the Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3) and its FP10 refills as Japan. Officeworks also lists Japan for the GFKP3BPA. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state it. Source.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • All 10 picks sit in our $$ band ($5–20 per item); the cheapest single gift here, a Platinum Preppy, lists at ¥660 (about US$4.20) in Japan.
  • The Midori MD Notebook A5 has 176 pages of 80 g/m² MD Paper in a 148 × 210 mm thread-sewn book, per Midori's Japanese store.
  • The Pilot Kakuno weighs 11 g and comes with EF, F or M steel nibs; Pilot Japan lists it at ¥1,100 (about US$7.00).
  • The uni Jetstream 4&1 packs four ballpoint colors and a 0.5 mm pencil into one 148.8 mm body, with SXR-80 refills at ¥110 (about US$0.70).
  • Seven of the ten are made in Japan by their makers' or retailers' figures; the Midori Clip Ruler is made in China and the Rhodia pad in France.

What are the best stationery gifts under $25?

On published specs, a Midori MD Notebook A5 for a writer, a Pilot Kakuno for a first fountain pen, a uni Kuru Toga for a student and a uni Jetstream 4&1 for anyone who color-codes are the best stationery gifts under US$25. A wrapped pair of the cheaper picks still lands under the budget. There’s no single #1; the MD notebook leads because good paper suits any writer.

  • Best notebook: Midori MD Notebook A5. Why it’s here: a gift any writer will use, 176 pages of 80 g/m² MD Paper, thread-sewn, in five rulings; ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) in Japan.
  • Best first fountain pen: Pilot Kakuno. Why it’s here: a real fountain pen within budget, 11 g with a smiling steel nib in EF, F or M, ¥1,100 (about US$7.00) in Japan.
  • Best for a student: uni Kuru Toga. Why it’s here: the lead turns about 9 degrees per stroke so the point stays sharp through notes; the plastic Standard lists at ¥495 (about US$3.10).
  • Best multi pen: uni Jetstream 4&1. Why it’s here: the only multi pen here, four Jetstream ballpoints and a 0.5 mm pencil in one body, ¥1,100 (about US$7) in Japan.
  • Best stocking stuffer pen: Platinum Preppy. Why it’s here: the cheapest fountain pen here at ¥660 (about US$4.20), with a Slip & Seal cap that keeps a cartridge from drying for a year, per Platinum.
  • Best “nice pen” under the budget: Zebra Sarasa Grand. Why it’s here: the only metal pen here, a brass-barrelled gel pen that takes the same JF refill as a Sarasa Clip.
  • Best small useful thing: Tombow MONO Zero. Why it’s here: a small tool people use daily, a pen-style eraser with a 2.3 mm tip that clicks out less than 1 mm at a time.
  • Best for a reader: Midori Clip Ruler. Why it’s here: three tools in one 0.3 mm brass piece: a bookmark, a 10 cm ruler and a stencil.
  • Best paper for a pen person: Rhodia No. 16 DotPad. Why it’s here: good paper for someone who has pens, 80 sheets of 80 g/m² French vellum with 5 mm dots; Exaclair’s 2024 US list price is US$7.00.
  • Best for an artist: Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. Why it’s here: the only art pick, real nylon bristles and waterproof pigment ink in FP10 cartridges.

How did we choose these picks?

We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers’ specs and Japanese list prices, retailer listings, US availability and price band. Every pick sits in our $$ band at US retail and has refills or good paper, so the gift keeps working after the holidays.

How do the gifts compare?

All ten are $$ items ($5–20), and seven are listed as made in Japan. Sizes and weights are the makers’ figures where published, otherwise a retailer’s.

Gift What it is Size Refillable? Made in Band
Midori MD Notebook A5 176-page thread-sewn notebook 148 × 210 mm (5.8 × 8.3 in), 258 g Not needed Japan $$ ($5–20)
Pilot Kakuno Steel-nib fountain pen 131 mm (5.2 in), 11 g Cartridge or converter Japan $$
uni Kuru Toga Standard Rotating-lead mechanical pencil 142 mm (5.6 in), 10 g Any 0.5 mm lead Japan $$
uni Jetstream 4&1 4-color ballpoint plus pencil 148.8 mm (5.9 in), 24 g SXR-80 Japan $$
Platinum Preppy Cartridge fountain pen 138 mm (5.4 in), 13 g Cartridge or converter Japan $$
Zebra Sarasa Grand Brass-barrel gel pen About 143 mm (5.6 in) JF refill Not stated $$
Tombow MONO Zero Pen-style eraser 120 mm (4.7 in) ER-KUR sticks Not stated $$
Midori Clip Ruler Bookmark, ruler and stencil 140.5 × 34 mm (5.5 × 1.3 in) Not needed China $$
Rhodia No. 16 DotPad 80-sheet stapled A5 pad 148 × 210 mm (5.8 × 8.3 in) Not needed France $$
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen Bristle brush pen 136 mm (5.4 in) FP10 cartridges Japan $$

What does US$25 buy in stationery?

A good notebook, a real fountain pen, or a pen that will outlast a drawer of free ones. In this budget US shops sell most Japanese everyday stationery at import prices, so the choice is wide: Japanese list prices for every pick here are under ¥1,700 (about US$11), and US listings we saw in October 2026 kept them inside our $$ band. What the budget does not buy is a gold nib, a leather cover or a full planner with its cover; those start in our $$$ band ($20–75).

The trick is to give something the person will refill. A Jetstream 4&1 takes SXR-80 refills at ¥110 (about US$0.70) each in Japan, a Kakuno takes any Pilot cartridge, and a MONO Zero takes ER-KUR eraser sticks. A gift that still works in March beats a novelty that doesn’t.

Which gift for which person?

Match the pick to how the person writes.

  • Writes every day in a notebook: Midori MD Notebook A5, plus a Rhodia DotPad for lists.
  • Has never used a fountain pen: Pilot Kakuno. The triangular grip shows where fingers go, and the nib’s face is upright when the pen is held right.
  • Student or engineer: uni Kuru Toga, or the Jetstream 4&1 for someone who marks up notes in colors.
  • Office worker who likes a weighty pen: Zebra Sarasa Grand. Zebra Japan lists its version at 19.3 g, roughly twice a plastic gel pen.
  • Artist or letterer: Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. The US pen comes with two FP10 cartridges, per Pentel of America.
  • Reader: Midori Clip Ruler, which clips to the page and marks the line.

Can you combine two picks and stay under $25?

Often, yes, if both sit at the bottom of the $$ band. Pairs that make sense: a Platinum Preppy with a Rhodia No. 16 DotPad for a first fountain pen on good paper; a Tombow MONO Zero with a uni Kuru Toga for a student; a Midori Clip Ruler with a Midori MD Notebook for a reader who takes notes. Japanese list prices for each of those pairs add up to under ¥2,500 (about US$16), though US import prices run higher, so check the two listings before you count on it.

Where are these gifts made?

Seven of the ten are listed as made in Japan. Midori, Pilot, Mitsubishi Pencil, Platinum and Pentel give Japan for the MD Notebook, Kakuno, Kuru Toga, Jetstream 4&1, Preppy and Pocket Brush Pen, either on their own pages or in retailer spec sheets cited in each guide.

Rhodia makes its pads at Illzach near Mulhouse, France. Midori’s Japanese store lists the Clip Ruler as made in China. Zebra and Tombow don’t name a country for the Sarasa Grand and MONO Zero in the sources we found, so those read “Not stated” in the facts box.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good stationery gift under $25 for a student?

A uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencil. Its engine turns the lead about 9 degrees per stroke so the point stays sharp, and Mitsubishi Pencil says the series has sold more than 100 million pencils. Pair it with a Rhodia No. 16 DotPad if the budget allows; both sit in our $$ band.

What is the best cheap fountain pen to give as a gift?

The Pilot Kakuno for someone who will use it daily, or the Platinum Preppy as a stocking stuffer. The Kakuno has a smiling steel nib in EF, F or M and takes Pilot cartridges or a converter; the Preppy's Slip & Seal cap keeps a cartridge from drying for a year, per Platinum.

What stationery gifts are under $10?

The Platinum Preppy, Tombow MONO Zero eraser, Midori Clip Ruler and Rhodia No. 16 DotPad list at or under ¥1,100 (about US$7.00) in Japan or US$7.00 in Exaclair's 2024 US list, so they usually land at the bottom of our $$ band in US shops. Check the current listing, because import prices vary.

Is a Midori MD Notebook a good gift for someone who uses fountain pens?

Yes. Midori gives its MD Paper as 80 g/m², and the A5 book is thread-sewn so it opens flat. It comes blank, lined at 7 mm, in a 5 mm grid, 5 mm dots or a frame, so you can match the ruling to how the person writes.

What is a good gift for someone who likes to draw?

The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. It has real nylon bristles and waterproof pigment ink in FP10 cartridges, so it draws from a hairline to a broad stroke and refills instead of being thrown away.

Which multi pen makes the best gift?

The uni Jetstream 4&1. It holds black, red, blue and green Jetstream ballpoints plus a 0.5 mm pencil, and SXR-80 refills cost about ¥110 (about US$0.70) each in Japan, so the gift keeps working for years.

Are these gifts made in Japan?

Mostly. Midori, Pilot, Mitsubishi Pencil, Platinum and Pentel list Japan for the MD Notebook, Kakuno, Kuru Toga, Jetstream 4&1, Preppy and Pocket Brush Pen. The Rhodia pad is made in France, the Midori Clip Ruler in China, and Zebra and Tombow don't state a country for the Sarasa Grand and MONO Zero.

What is a good stocking stuffer from a stationery shop?

Something small, useful and refillable: a Tombow MONO Zero eraser (120 mm long, refills with ER-KUR sticks), a Midori Clip Ruler (a bookmark, 10 cm ruler and stencil in one) or a Platinum Preppy fountain pen.

Sources (11)

  1. MDノート［A5］ (MD PRODUCT Japanese online store: 210 × 148 × 10 mm, 176 pages, about 258 g, 80 g/m², five rulings, item numbers, ¥1,210, made in Japan)
  2. 三菱鉛筆: クルトガ スタンダードモデル (Mitsubishi Pencil product page: three-gear Kuru Toga Engine)
  3. パイロット ウェブカタログ「カクノ」FKA-1SR (Pilot Japan catalog: 131 mm, 16 mm, 11 g, CON-40/CON-70N, ¥1,100, Good Design and Kids Design awards, JAN)
  4. プラチナ万年筆「プレピー」PSQ-300 (Platinum Japan product page: 03/05 nibs, PC resin, ST-27 stainless nib, 138 mm, 13 mm, 13 g, ¥660)
  5. ジェットストリーム 多機能ペン 4＆1 MSXE5-1000 (Mitsubishi Pencil Japan product page: 0.38, 0.5 and 0.7 mm, 0.5 mm pencil, order codes, JAN, ¥1,100 including tax)
  6. ゼブラ株式会社: ジェルボールペン サラサグランド0.3/0.5 (Zebra Japan: 10.3 × 142.6 mm, 19.3 g, JF-0.3 and JF-0.5, ¥1,650, metal binder clip)
  7. モノゼロ (Tombow Japan product page, MONO Zero: 2.3 mm round and 2.5 × 5 mm tips, under 1 mm per click, EH-KUR and ER-KUR codes and prices, awards)
  8. クリップルーラー ネコ柄A(42291006) (Midori Japan online store: Cat A, brass, 140.5 × 34 × 1.5 mm, 0.3 mm, 5/7 mm slits, ¥1,100, made in China)
  9. Rhodia (France): dotPad – Bloc-notes agrafé (80 micro-perforated sheets, grey 5 mm dots, sizes No. 12 to No. 38)
  10. ぺんてる筆〈携帯用〉 (Pentel Japan product page: XGFKP-A, 136 mm, medium brush, water-based pigment ink, ¥1,045; FP10-A cartridges, 4 for ¥385)
  11. JetPens: Gifts Under $25 (curated collection; read October 23, 2026 for the kinds of products US shops put in this budget)

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