The holidays are almost upon us, and if you’re a last minute-minute gift shopper, you might be starting to feel the pressure. If you’ve got a writer or two on your gift list, worry not, because I’ve got you covered! Here are a few gift ideas for the writers in your life that I know I would be thrilled to receive.
A beautiful pen is always a good idea – even if your friend does most of their writing on a laptop, a smooth, reliable pen can always come in handy, whether you’re taking notes on the go, scribbling edits on a manuscript, signing publishing contracts or autographing books. A pack of simple ballpoint pens is an affordable, practical option, while chrome pens like the Cross Classic ballpoint are a classy step above. It might be worth confirming what colour ink your recipient prefers – writers can be a particular bunch, and I know that I prefer to write in blue ink, rather than black or other coloured ink.
Now that you’ve picked out a beautiful new pen for your writer friend, why not package it in a pretty pencil case? If your writer friends are anything like me, they have a various assortment of pens, pencils, erasers and other writing bits and bobs rolling around in the bottom of their backpack at any given time – how much more convenient would it be to have all those pieces nicely contained in an attractive package? I like supporting small business whenever possible, which is why I’ve picked this pretty pencil case from Etsy seller PurpleLeafBouquet but obviously you’ll want to pick a pencil case that reflects the style preferences of your gift recipient.
Writing requires concentration, and unfortunately the world can be full of distractions. Whether it’s loud neighbors, obnoxious background music or just the everyday hum and buzz of the city, blocking out the noises of the world can be a challenge. That’s where noise-cancelling headphones come in – just pop them on, put on some soothing music or white noise, and give yourself fully to your story! Headphones come in a variety of styles and price points, and are sure to be a welcome gift for any writer.
If, like me, your writer friends do most of their writing at their local coffee shop, a reusable mug is a great gift that is both practical and environmentally friendly! Help your friends keep their coffee warm (we starving writers can’t afford too many refills…) while reducing the use of disposable coffee cups – everybody wins. Why not pick a mug that showcases their love of words while you’re at it? This travel mug from Etsy seller FriesenArt is a great way proudly announce your love of all things bookish!
OK, now, this might not be a good fit for all writers, but this writer absolutely 100% runs on tea. There’s no doubt about it, I couldn’t be a writer if I didn’t have a steady source of tea. Whether it’s loose leaf or in bags, black or green, flavoured or plain, tea makes a lovely beverage – and you can get caffeine-free versions, too! If you’re not sure what kind of tea your writer friends enjoy, why not try a gift card to a local tea company? If you’re looking for some tea suggestions, I’ve got you covered – check out my posts here and here!
So there you have it, just a few gift ideas for all you last-minute shoppers – don’t say I don’t do anything for you! And of course, you can support your author friends without spending a dime – I’ve got an entire post full of ways that you can help out an author without buying their books. Sometimes the best gifts are free!
What writing-related gifts would you like to see under the tree or in your stocking this year?