A Bookbinder's Father's Day Gift Guide (Better Than a Tie)

Every year around this time, someone comes into the shop looking a bit defeated. "I don't know what to get him," they say. or "He's got everything. I'm not buying another tie." Fair enough. Ties are what you buy when you've run out of ideas, and many dads have a drawer full of them already.

So here's a different starting point: buy him something that was actually made by someone, for a reason, and that he'll still be using in ten years. That's the whole philosophy behind the bindery, and it happens to make for a pretty good Father's Day gift guide too.

1. A journal that isn't disposable

Most notebooks are built to be used up and binned. A handcrafted journal isn't. Ours are sewn, not glued, which means the pages lie flat and the spine doesn't crack after a few weeks of use. If your dad is the type who jots down measurements in the shed, keeps a fishing log, or just likes writing things down properly, this is the gift that earns its keep. See our favourites here

2. Something to work on

If your dad is handy and likes a project, a bookbinding kit gives him something to do rather than another gadget. Our Beginner's Bookbinding Kit walks through sewing a book from scratch: paper, board, cloth, thread, tools, and a manual so he can keep making them once the first one's done. 

3. A guide, if you want to try before you buy

Not sure bookbinding is his thing? Our free Bookbinding Guide for Beginners is a good low-key way to test the waters together — it's the exact list Simon uses to set someone up at the bench for the first time, no guesswork. Grab it here, or DM us the word GUIDE on Instagram and we'll send it straight over.

4. A workshop in the bindery

For dads who'd rather be shown than handed a kit and left to it, our in-person bindery workshops are worth a look. Small groups, hands-on, and usually a fair bit of laughing and conversation about the many mistakes I've made over the years! Check Workshops here.

5. If he's more "learn it properly, in his own time"

Some dads would rather work through something at their own pace than sit in a group. That's exactly who our Beginner's Bookbinding Blueprint course is for. It's self-paced, from the same principles we teach during the 'in-person' workshop. It's moving toward a live launch soon, so the waitlist is the way in for now.

A quick word on timing

Father's Day is creeping up (Sunday 6 September), and our gift edit is live from this Sunday, 23 August. If you're the sort who likes to sort gifts early rather than panic-buying, now is a good time to start. See the full gift guide here.

A tie says "I ran out of time." A handmade journal, a kit he can sit down with, or a workshop that gets him out of the house for the day says something else. Pop into the shop (Bendigo, Tue–Sun) or browse online. If you want a hand picking the right one for your particular dad, just ask and we'll help you select the perfect thing.