Still searching for the perfect holiday gift for the writer in your life? Never fear, my annual list of holiday gifts for writers is here! 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
- Webcam and/or Light: Do they Zoom? Trust me, their built-in laptop webcam isn’t flattering. Upgrade their Zoom calls with a separate webcam and a video conference light (i.e., a ring light).
- Portable laptop stand: If they give presentations in person, a portable laptop stand raises their laptop closer to eye level—a must for those of us wearing bifocals. I use this laptop stand.
- Wireless presentation remote/clicker: A great inexpensive stocking stuffer for those who give presentations in person.
- Electric mug warmer or Yeti-style cup: Keeps their favorite beverage steaming while the words are flowing.
- Sunlight desk lamp to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
- New laptop case.
- 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, an elegant high-end pen, or these Fine-Point Sharpie Grip Pens that authors love for signing books, 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
- Massage: All that hunching over keyboards and notebooks just cries out for a massage.
- Manicure: How about a manicure for those keyboard-pounding nails?
- Coffee or tea: The right hot beverage can keep their motivation strong.
- Snacks and treats: For really decadent chocolates, try Legacy Chocolates, Christopher Elbow, or L.A. Burdick. If they aren’t a chocoholic, try snacks like nuts, gourmet cheeses and crackers, popcorn, cookies, or cupcakes.
- Wine: Choose a wine with a literary name, like those from Storyteller, Playwright, Storypoint, Quixote, or Angels Ink. Or give them a bottle made in the area where their novel is located. (And check out Etsy for book-themed wine totes!)
- Liquor: For liquor, try literary brands like Mythology (whiskey, bourbon, and gin) or Writer’s Tears (whiskey). Or give them 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.
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.
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 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! And now there’s “The Tequila Mockingbird Kit,” which contains a jigger, two stirrers, and a mini version of the book with 15 cocktail recipes.
- Book Club subscription box. Feed your writer’s appetite with a monthly delivery of carefully selected books. Woman’s Day magazine’s “The Best Book Subscription Boxes of 2023” may give you some ideas.
- 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!
[Photo by Loren Cutler on Unsplash]
Category: Blog