Holiday Gift Guide for Bookbinders

The holiday season is a time to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and the joy of giving. For the bookbinder in your life—or yourself, if you’re a passionate crafter—there’s no better way to spark inspiration and elevate their art than with tools, materials, and resources tailored to their craft.

This gift guide is curated with care to include items that bookbinders of all skill levels will appreciate. From high-quality supplies to specialty papers and inspiring books on the art of binding, these gifts are perfect for fostering creativity and enhancing the handmade magic of bookbinding. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned artisan or someone just beginning their journey into the world of bookmaking, you’re sure to find something here that will make their holidays extra special.

Let’s unwrap the possibilities and explore gifts with this holiday gift guide for bookbinders.

Hand Dyed Washi Papers

These stunning washi papers made by Awagami make the perfect gift for a collage artist. I love that they come in color-coordinated packs—red, blue, yellow, and green. The paper is also perfect, only 3” x 3”, which means you won’t have a lot of leftovers.

Cartes Broderie Template

If you’re looking for a cool way to decorate your own or purchased notebooks, check out Kimberly Winston Ligocki’s fabulous collection of templates. Cartes broderie is the French craft of punching small holes in paper, and it’s simply perfect to jazz up a plain journal, a scrapbook page, or a handmade card.

Renesans Watercolors

These watercolors are on my Christmas list (hint hint, Andy). They’re imported from Poland, and Handmade Book Club member April Mathis is the exclusive distributor. They were recommended to us by Tiffany Sharpe, who has her own set! I’m dying to try them out.

Pepin Paper Packs

With the demise of bricks and mortar scrapbooking stores it can be hard to find decent patterned paper. So I was thrilled when a number of club members recommended these themed paper packs by Pepin Van Roojen.

Sashiko Supplies

When I’m replenishing my Sashiko supplies, I always shop at Brooklyn Haberdashery. They have the best selection of needles, thread colors, fabric, and pre-printed projects. But beware, their website is dangerous! It’s filled with amazing goodies that are very tempting!

Sample Pack of Kraft-tex

Kraft-tex is not cheap so it’s a great item to put on your holiday wish list. And the latest rich jewel colors are gorgeous.

Read more about Kraft-tex in these blog posts:

• 10 Ways to Decorate Kraft-tex
• Tips for Using Kraft-tex

Traveling Work Light

I travel quite a lot and always bring some type of handwork or some Zentangle^(r) tiles with me, but I can’t guarantee that my Airbnb, hotel room, or airport will have good lighting, so I bring this compact light with me. It’s brighter when plugged into power, but the batteries are a nice backup. It’s also great for bringing to classes.

Pin Vise

I do have a lot of awls in my toolbox, and I also really love using this pin vise. I place the needle that I plan to sew with into the chuck at the top and tighten it, then use this to punch the sewing holes in my signatures.

The Bookmakers – A History of Books in Eighteen Lives by Adam Smyth

My friend Opal recommended this book. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s in the reading queue on my nightstand. What appeals to me about it is that it’s not a dry history of bookbinding. I’ve read many of those, but this appears to be less heavy and filled with stories. An enjoyable winter read.

I hope this guide has offered you thoughtful ideas to make their holiday season truly special. Bookbinding is an art that weaves together history, creativity, and personal expression—your thoughtful gift will not only support their craft but also show your appreciation for their talent and passion.

Here’s to a season of creativity, connection, and the timeless beauty of handmade creations. Happy holidays and happy binding!

---