It’s time for my annual list of holiday gifts for the writer in your life! (Didn’t we just do this? How has a year gone by already?) Whether you’re looking for inspirational gifts, workspace upgrades, or pure indulgences, there’s surely something on this list that will tickle your writer’s holiday fancy.
Home Office/Workspace Upgrades and Tools
- For writers who use Zoom:
- Webcam (Trust me, those built-in laptop cameras aren’t flattering.)
- Video conference light (such as a ring light) to make them look their best.
- For writers who give presentations in person:
- Portable laptop stand: Lets them raise their laptop closer to eye level—a must for those of us wearing bifocals. I use this laptop stand.
- Wireless presentation remote/clicker: Inexpensive, easy-to-use stocking stuffer.
- Rocketbook Reusable Notebooks: Believe it or not, these inexpensive Rocketbook reuseable spiral notebooks have pages made of a paper that can be written on with the Rocketbook pen, wiped clean like a white board, then reused. You use the Rocketbook app on your phone to scan your pages and store them on the cloud. Organize your notes while reducing paper waste! They come in several sizes and lots of colors.
- Electric mug warmer: Keeps their favorite beverage steaming while words are flowing.
- Sunlight desk lamp to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
- New laptop case.
- Laptop desk: Do they write on their bed or couch? A laptop desk can make that more comfortable, and some come with LED lights, phone holders, or cup holders.
- Comfy cushion for their desk chair, like this seat cushion from Purple.
- Desk chair: Forget the cushion! How about a whole new desk chair?
- A second monitor: It may seem like an indulgence, but I can’t live without my second monitor. It provides extra screen real estate for having multiple documents, research websites, and email open simultaneously.
- Music accessories: Give them a Spotify subscription, desktop speakers, or new earbuds/headphones so they can listen to their book’s playlist.
- Standing desk: Has your writer spoken wistfully of a standing desk? Maybe now’s the time.
- Pens: Whether it’s a box of utilitarian Uniball Signos, a handcrafted pen from an arts festival, or an elegant high-end pen, writers always love a good writing implement.
- Blank journals: Look for ones with fun or beautiful covers, for inspiration.
- Office supplies: Highlighters, sticky notes, colored index cards, a whiteboard, or a corkboard with colorful pushpins—all can be helpful for revisions or for plotting their next masterpiece.
- Scrivener: a powerful software application for authors. It combines a word processor with an organization system for research notes, photos, links, outlines, etc.
Indulgences
- Selfcare: Massage, manicure, pedicure, spa day, bath salts, aromatherapy candles, etc.
- Snacks and treats: Coffee or tea with a fun mug, really decadent chocolates (try Legacy Chocolates, Christopher Elbow, or L.A. Burdick), nuts, gourmet cheeses and crackers, popcorn, cookies, or cupcakes.
- Wine and Spirits:
- Choose a wine or liquor with a literary name, like wines from Storyteller, Storypoint, Quixote, or Angels Ink, or liquor from Mythology (whiskey, bourbon, and gin) or Writer’s Tears (whiskey).
- Give them a bottle of wine or liquor made in the area where their novel is located.
- How about a bottle of the legendary absinthe, long associated with the inspiration (and sometimes ruination, but let’s not go there) of many historic writers? For the literary history of absinthe, read “How the Green Fairy Became Literature’s Drink.”
- Time: Few writers ever have enough time to devote to their art. Can you offer your writer some uninterrupted writing time by bringing over prepared meals or offering housecleaning, dog walking, or childcare?
- A writer’s retreat: For a more extravagant gift of time, consider a writing retreat, whether it’s just a local hotel room to themselves for a weekend, or a group writing retreat offered through writing organizations that feature writing time, group discussions, and sometimes speakers. Not sure where to find one? I’ll be speaking at two different writing retreats in May 2025: the Central Colorado Writer’s 3-day workshop in Salida, Colorado (May 16-18), and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers retreat in Colorado Springs (May 29 – June 1)!
Inspirational
- Wearables: Literary- or book-themed t-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves, tote bags, or jewelry (earrings, pendants, bracelets, charms, keychains) can be found on Litographs (I love my Litographs scarf!), Amazon, Etsy, Cafe Press, etc.
- Magnetic poetry kits: Give those creative juices a nudge while perking up a lonely fridge.
- Book bags and totes: Totes from the gift shops of your writer’s favorite museums, national or state parks, or indie bookstores are always fun.
- Show tickets: Tickets to an upcoming play, concert, art show, or comedy club might be just the thing to rejuvenate your writer after a long day of writing.
- Road trip! Find out where your writer’s work-in-progress is set, then take them on a weekend trip there so they can soak up the atmosphere and do a little on-location research.
- Bookmarks – Most bookstores have a rack of gorgeous or funny bookmarks, or here’s a set of pretty gold-plated botanical bookmarks or a set of bookmarks that contain pressed flowers in resin.
Educational
- Books on writing craft: Sneak a peek at your writer’s bookshelves. If they don’t have Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, Story Genius or Wired for Story by Lisa Cron, The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, The Fire in Fiction (also by Donald Maass), The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglist, or You, The Story by Ruta Sepetys, one of those might be a good choice.
- Publisher’s Weekly: A subscription to Publisher’s Weekly—even just for a month or two—will help your writer get a feel for what’s happening in the industry, which agents have sold books to publishers recently, etc.
- Annual membership to a writing organization: There are local/state/regional ones (like Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers), national/international groups (like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), and genre-specific ones (like Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association). If you can think of a genre, there’s an organization for it! Annual memberships are usually very reasonable and often include local in-person and online chapter meetings, discounts on conferences and workshops, access to critique groups and free presentations, etc. These groups are a great way to build a network of writing friends, too.
- Registration to a writing conference. Bonus points if you arrange baby- or pet-sitting while they attend.
Books (of course!)
- Books by RMFW authors: Check out RMFW’s Member Book List, which lists hundreds of books by our very own RMFW members. Find a great read and support an RMFW author at the same time!
- Book-themed cookbook: Check out this list of “13 Cookbooks Inspired by Popular Novels,” on the Delishably website.
- Book-themed cocktail recipes: I love Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist, by Tim Federle. This clever book puts a literary spin on classic cocktail recipes, like “The Last of the Mojitos.” Each page has a recipe and a witty summary of the book it’s named for. There are several similar book-themed cocktail books, so choose your poison!
- Book Club subscription box. Feed your writer’s appetite with a monthly or bi-monthly delivery of carefully selected books. The New York Times has a list of “7 Book Subscription Services We Love,” or a writer friend of mine recommends the bi-monthly Boxwalla subscription book box, which offers “the best literary fiction from around the world.”
- And last but certainly not least, a gift card to a local independent bookstore is always a great gift. Always.
Good Will (Free!)
- Write a positive review for any of your favorite authors’ books on Amazon, Goodreads, or your social media platforms. Word-of-mouth praise is the best gift any author can receive!
Category: Blog