Gifts for Writers — the 2018 Edition

Got a writer in your life? Make them feel special!

One of the best ways to honor the writers in your life is to buy their books for others on your gift list! That’s a gift that gives in multiple directions.

But here are some other ideas for the writer(s) in your life:

Blank Journals or Notebooks
Whether it is for a personal journal or developing an idea, notebooks and journals play a huge part. Not every writer does everything electronically! Writing by hand makes a big difference.

Pens
They’re great for  drafts in longhand.  cards and letters by hand, and, of course, signings. Beautiful pens make the whole experience special.

Socks
That sounds ridiculous, and many people make fun of the socks-for-the-holidays thing. But it can get cold when you sit there writing, so socks are great.

When I worked backstage on Broadway, and in other theatres, I had to dress all in black. My exception was socks. I started wearing novelty socks as a joke, and then it became a signature trait. I still get a kick out of funny socks.

Books
Sure, a gift card lets the recipient choose their own, but if you give me a book that you love, it’s a great way to share an experience. I love sharing books I love that I think others will like (if I don’t think they’ll like it, I find something else; I take their preferences into account). I also love it when people share their favorite books with me.

Coffee (or Tea or Hot Chocolate)
A drink beside the desk helps fuel the work.  Find out your writer’s preferred fuel; it always makes a great gift.

Wine
A glass of wine at the end of a long day is a great way to decompress from a day spent making characters’ lives hell. . A bottle of wine is always appreciated. Or,for beer drinkers, beer.

Whisky
Want to spend a little more and impress your writer? As a single malt lover, the way to my heart can be cleared with a good whisky.

Candles
Scented or not, candles add atmosphere to a room. They can also be used to help writers start and end their sessions, ritualizing the work space.

Anything handmade or from the heart
The love behind the gift matters.

Odd Literary Gifts
There are plenty of fun places that offer odd literary gifts.
Some favorite sites:
The Literary Gift Company
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild
The Literary Emporium

Time
That sounds like a bizarre request, but it’s not. Writers are always stealing time for their work. What can you do to make your writer’s life easier? Run some errands? Cook a few meals that person can heat up? Take the kids for a play date, to give the writer a few hours of uninterrupted work time? Help with yard work? Or even, go all out with a gift certificate to a hotel or someplace like Kripalu.. Time is a precious gift, even if it’s honoring quiet time your writer needs for work. Respect the need for time, quiet, solitude.

Use your imagination, and give from the heart! It’s not about the amount spent, it’s the love and thought behind the gift.