Gift Ideas – Notebooks with Personality

We love a classic notebook, but sometimes we look at our shelves and it feels like a scene from Pleasantville. Everything from contact lenses to computers now comes in a rainbow of colour options, so why should we stick to basic black when it comes to stationery? When you're choosing a gift, it has to fit your loved one perfectly, so let's find something that has a little more character. Rhodia's Rhodiarama series Rhodia has always been big on colour. The French brand's iconic orange has made Rhodia notepads stand out since the first one was made, way back in 1934, becoming something of a trademark along the way. That iconic orange connects the Rhodiarama range to its roots while expanding the palette in a much more modern way. Sporting soft Italian leatherette covers, the Rhodiarama Notebooks and Goal Books come in a range of colours inspired by contemporary style trends. Sage tones are incredibly on-trend right now, pairing nicely with the tender purples and deep reds to create a warm, comforting feel that we're all craving in a tumultuous time. Inside, the Rhodiarama Notebook features some of the world's best paper (made by fellow French brand, Clairefontaine) with rich, 90gsm paper that feels like a gentle breeze beneath your pen. You'll find that same graceful paper in the Goal Book, in a dot grid layout paired with neat features like a pen loop and page numbering that make it a great option for bullet journaling. If your loved one is a colourful sort with an eye for bullet journaling, the Rhodiarama Goal Book is a great fit – the only challenge is deciding which colour to choose! Clairefontaine's Indigo Collection Clairefontaine's Indigo Collection A4 Cahier notebook Like Rhodia, Clairefontaine are breaking out of an established mould. With centuries of experience, the French paper titans have tended towards understated colours befitting a heritage notebook. But recent additions like the Indigo and La Vie En Vosges collections have shaken up the status quo, offering more distinctive covers with sweeping colour and inviting designs. The Indigo Collection (pictured above) features expressive covers full of movement and vitality. The sweeping, thick brushstrokes and generous ink create an abstract effect that has an organic warmth, with gold flecks adding a touch of magic to offset the mysterious blues. The La Vie En Vosges notebook's cover is inspired by the Vosges mountain ranges in France, near the German border Carrying on that natural feel through a different medium, both the Quinetessence and La Vie En Vosges collections feature watercolour cover designs by artist Edith Duprez that evoke the wilder parts of the European countryside, from mountainscapes to dense forest to lakeside plant life. Bolder still is the striking Neo Deco series, which cranks the colour saturation all the way up in eye-catching patterns that variously draw on the strict geometry of Art Deco architecture and detail leaf-forms. With shiny gold foil accents, these captivating covers are a bright, engaging mix of vintage style and modern playfulness. The bold geometry of the Neo Deco collection is classically charming with a modern approach to colour Each of these Clairefontaine releases have a distinct feel to them, so show your loved one how much you care by finding the one that fits them perfectly. Whether they're the outdoor type or a lover of classic architecture or an artist-in-training, there's something special to suit them here. Delfonics' Rollbahn notebooks You can't go past Delfonics when talking about colourful covers. The Japanese stationer has been making these cult-favourite notebooks for 20 years now, and the minimalist cover is one of its most iconic features. With the quiet confidence of a single, solid colour, the Rollbahn's cover is a design marvel, at once stylish and timeless in its effortless simplicity. It's also a great indicator of what matters to Delfonics – that solid cover with plenty of negative space is everything it needs to be and nothing more, with the same philosophy applied to every aspect of its design. Rollbahn notebooks are always among our favourites here at Milligram, and we reckon you'll love them too. Check out our Design Brief article on the Rollbahn, or jump straight to the Rollbahn collection to find the perfect fit for your loved one. Rifle Paper Co.'s Stitched Notebooks It's no secret that Rifle Paper Co.'s artist and co-founder, Anna Bond, loves a good floral print. Her gorgeous flowery designs have made the brand a household name, bringing a painterly charm to everything you can imagine, from notepads and desk accessories to fashion accessories and greeting cards. So naturally, if you're looking for a brighter notebook, Rifle Paper Co. has a bunch of dazzling, delightful options for you. The Stitched Notebook Set makes it even easier to choose, with three different designs in each set ready to bring the beautiful colours of a bustling garden to your writing. Rifle Paper Co.'s Marguerite Stitched Notebook Set features three notebooks with bright floral designs Fresh and floral, Rifle Paper Co.'s notebooks make charming gifts, delighting your loved one from the moment they open their present. Leuchtturm1917's Rising Colours range As the name implies, Leuchtturm1917's Rising Colours range expands on the German brand's traditional roots. Following on from recent releases in tones like Sage and Soft Pink, Rising Colours' latest additions bring a more modern feel to a time-tested notebook design, with tones ranging from warm blue to bright yellow to earthy brown. The warm yellow tones really fit the name of Leuchtturm1917's Rising Sun notebook The simple, solid colours of this range gives each notebook an understated feel, with a subtle warmth that's tender and sweet, so the Rising Colours range is a great way to show someone close to you just how much you care. With unlimited creative potential, a notebook makes a thoughtful gift that'll inspire the people closest to you. Picking the right one requires care, though, so if you didn't find exactly the right one in this brief list, check out our full range of notebooks and you're bound to find the perfect present. And don't forget to pair it with a pen – they'll need something to write with, after all.

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