The Best Back to School Stationery Gifts 2026

Buying a back to school gift is a slightly different job from buying stationery for yourself. It's less about what you'd want on your own desk and more about what would genuinely land well - something that feels like a proper gift, not just a school supply with a bow on it.

Think about who you're buying for before you think about what to buy. A gift for a first-year university student needs to earn its place in a small room. A gift for a teacher needs to feel like a real thank you, not another mug. Here's how to get it right for each.

For the Student Heading Off to University

A notebook that'll survive the year. Not the £2 pad that falls apart by November - something built to be used properly for months. A lay-flat notebook that opens fully flat on a desk or in a lecture hall makes daily use genuinely easier. Our A5 lay-flat notebooks are designed for exactly this.

A pen worth keeping. Most students write with whatever's nearest. A proper pen - something from our pens collection - changes that, and it's a gift they'll notice every time they pick it up.

A writing set, for staying in touch. This is the gift that doesn't occur to most people, and it's often the one that means the most. A proper writing set makes it easy to actually write home, rather than just texting.

For the Sixth Former or GCSE Student

A weekly planner. Exam years run on organisation, and a physical planner - somewhere to see the whole week at a glance - genuinely helps in a way apps don't always manage. Our weekly planners are undated, so there's no wasted term if the gift arrives mid-year.

A proper pencil set, for anyone taking art, design or architecture subjects seriously. Our luxury pencil sets cover a full range of grades in one case.

For the Teacher

Teacher gifts are their own category entirely - something that says thank you without being generic. Our gifts for teachers collection is built specifically around this, with options at a few different price points for end of term or the start of a new one.

On budget. A thoughtful gift doesn't need to be expensive - a single beautifully made notebook or a small set of pencils says just as much as a larger bundle, provided it's something the person will actually use.

For a fuller breakdown of what makes a good everyday notebook, pen and pencil case, see our back to school stationery guide.