Christmas shopping season is upon us. As a writer, I’ve received over the years gifts that touched my writers heart. Fun t-shirts, mugs and magnets. However, There’s more creative options for the clueless non-writers’ gift-giver. Let me inform them with my gift idea list for the writer in the family. Writers, post this blog in a prominent place for your friends and family to see.
- Gift card for favorite place to buy office supplies.
Running out of ink in the middle of a project is maddening. You can never have enough flash drives, batteries and copy paper.
- Small notebook
When inspiration strikes, it’s nice to have a notebook in your pocket or purse.
- Software programs for writers
Some examples: Scrivener or Dragon. Scrivener is a word program for writers and Dragon is a voice-activated program to dictate your words. (Great when a writer’s hands, arms and back are out of commission.) There are more writerly programs out there, listen, when your writer raves over their fave.
- Amazon Gift Cards
Books, books and more books!
- Gift card to favorite writing spot
Some suggestions: Starbucks, Panera’s or another Wi-Fi available coffee shop.
- Magazine subscriptions
These are must haves for writers. Try Writers Digest, Christian Communicator or other Writing Craft periodicals. There are online e-zines subscriptions as well.
- Trade books
Here are some must haves:
- Chicago Book of Style
- Writer’s Guide, Christian Writer’s Guide
There are many, many writing craft books and among them are a few your writer wants. Listen and learn.
- A day or week end away to write.
A gift of hotel or a cabin in the woods—heavenly.
How about offering your home when you’re at work? A time away from the interruptions of family is golden for productivity.
You might volunteer to babysit or be responsible for picking up kids from school. Maybe take grandma to the store so your author can have a full-day of uninterrupted time to write. This is a special blessing if they are on deadline.
- Pay a conference fee for them.
Even a one-day seminar is a wonderful gift.
- A new laptop
I don’t know how many writers are still trying to use computers that are limping along.
If it’s new enough pay for repairs and buy the latest software upgrades.
We know a new one is often cheaper than the repairs. And if you can do all the software installs and have it up and running in advance that’s even better.
- Office furniture.
Maybe a nice new comfy chair or a file cabinet. Shelves or cabinets. A friend’s husband built her an office to her specifications.
- A nice pen for autographing.
The right pen is so important. You don’t want it to bleed through the paper, neither do you want a cheap ink pen that fades or skips.
- Nice house slippers with a sole sturdy enough to walk outside or run to the store.
I don’t write in my PJs but I’m often in slippers or socks only. Writers are a casual breed and taking the time to look for suitable shoes to run an errand distracts our brains from more important things—do I hear plot twists.
- A homemade coupon book
Create coupons for various chores. The more items taken off a writer’s plate the more productive their word count. Dishes and laundry call to us when we need to have our fingers on the keyboard.
- Accolades
A certificate, note or plague reminding them you support their writing career choice. A wonderful reminder of your love and support.
These ideas are in no particular order. Authors, journalists, free-lancers and novelists will appreciate finding any of these gifts under the tree this year.
What ideas would you add?
Love all of these options. I would add an ergonomic desk chair. Writers do a lot of sitting, hunched over a computer.
I agree. An ergonomic chair makes it possible to sit longer.
Love it! Agreed with them all except shoes I am never out of my running shoes.
My scripture to inspire me is.
The battle is not yours, but Gods
2 Chronicles 20:15. It is on a tin piece in my bathroom/ prayer room
I know many people who put their shoes on first thing in the morning. Heather, you must hi the ground running every day. 🙂
Love the inspirational words.
I’d add one of those standing desk thingys you see advertised…I make one w/boxes, etc., when my back’s bothering me, but they look so PROFESSIONAL. Also just noted the History of the Oxford Dictionary on GoodReads, sounds like a great read for writers.
Great ideas. I have a portable desk my mom gave me that can be used over the bed, a living room chair or standing. Great for a change of venue and when my legs and back are having. Haven’t seen the one you describe. The book sounds intriguing too.