The holidays are quickly approaching, and if you’re looking for some gift ideas for that writer in your life, I’ve got you covered. Here are five easy and practical gifts I know I’d be thrilled to receive.
1. A SPOTIFY MEMBERSHIP
I am in no way affiliated with Spotify, I just really, really like to listen to music while I write. I also hate it when my music is interrupted by ads. Want to up the wow factor? Create a playlist for your recipient, filled with all their favourite songs/artists.
2. A NEW MUG
I drink a lot of tea. Other writers live on coffee. Whatever their hot beverage of choice, odds are your writer friend will appreciate being able to gaze wistfully at their beautiful new mug while avoiding the writing they’re actually meant to be doing. Etsy is filled with incredible independent ceramic artists, or support your local independent bookstore, coffee shop or even public library gift shop!
3. SOMETHING TO PUT IN THAT NEW MUG
Coffee, tea (black, green, white, red, herbal…..), something a bit stronger, whatever your writer friend relies on to power them through the next bout of writer’s block. Slip a few tea bags or a bag of coffee from a local roaster into a gift bag, or maybe include a gift card to an independent coffee shop so they can get a drink and have an excuse to wile away a few hours in a pleasant environment…while also avoiding the writing they’re supposed to be doing.
4. A NEW NOTEBOOK (AND PENS)
Even if your friend prefers to do all their writing on a laptop or tablet (I use a battered and beloved Chromebook), there’s something incredibly inspiring about a fresh, new, beautiful notebook. Add in a nice pen or two to complete the gift – I love browsing MUJI for affordable, quality writing tools.
5. A TOTE BAG
Being a writer often means schlepping from home to coffee shop to library to book store to home again, toting your laptop/notebook/pens/mugs et al, so why not help your friend look stylish while they’re at it? Check out the New York Public Library’s online shop for some stylish yet practical bag options.
And of course, I can’t forget the easiest and most affordable gifts of all – reviews! If your friend has published a book of any kind on any platform, give them the gift of a review, on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you go for recommendations. You don’t even need to write anything, just a star review alone is enough to make a difference. It only takes a minute, and it can really help spread the word about an amazing book.
Would you be excited to find one of these gifts under the tree this year? What would you recommend getting the writers in your life?