25+ Advent Calendar Ideas For Writers

Advent calendars are a tradition for so many people. Typically starting on December 1st, they're a countdown to Christmas that often features a small gift or treat to be discovered each day.

Growing up, I always had the ones with a little piece of chocolate hiding behind each flap, shaped like stars, snowflakes, elves, and angels and so on, getting to open one in the morning before school (apart from the year I didn't understand the assignment and ate all twenty-five pieces in the backseat of the car after leaving The Holly Wreath on our anual three-generation-Black-Friday trip).

In recent years, Advent Calendars have been on a whole other level. Many brands have created their own Advent Calendars. Sephora's contains samplings of fan-favorite products. There's a variety of Lego ones, with every day supplying another piece of a larger scene. The Barbie Advent Calendar comes with a doll and plenty of accessories. OPI's offers a set of mini nail polishes.

You'll also find themed ones, like a survivalist's kit, tea, charm bracelets, an escape room-inspired one with daily clues to solve a mystery that I miiiight just have to pick up for myself as a bona fide escape room game master, and last year, I was gifted one filled with crystals—including several that were brand-new to my collection!

As the Advent Calendar market has expanded, there have also been plenty of worthwhile debates over whether or not the products are worth the price tag and how they impact overconsumption trends.

However, Advent Calendars can make for a thoughtful gift when curated with care and intention. In other words, custom-made. Putting together a collection of small gifts catering to a loved one's interests is a wonderful way to show you get them.

If you're looking for inspiration for an Advent Calendar tailor-made for the writer in your life, you've come to the right place! I've compiled a list of 25 gift ideas, one for each day leading up to Christmas (plus a few extras), so you'll be sure to find at least a few your writer will love. A lot of them can be found in packs, making them great for spreading across several days.

By the way, these ideas aren't limited to Advent Calendars counting down to Christmas. They can also work for other noteworthy countdowns like birthdays, graduation or starting college, or even the release of your writer friend's book!

In no particular order, here's a list of ideas to get you started...

1 — Pens and Pencils

Perhaps one of the most obvious writer gifts, sure, but that's for a good reason.

Writers need the tools of their trade, whether they're jotting down a vague idea for a story or writing their latest draft by hand.

It sounds like a basic idea, but it's one that can be easily personalized to fit your writer's vibes. You could look for a set of pens in their favorite colors or order a custom set of pencils with quotes printed on them.

You've also got plenty of accessory options to go with them, like erasers and sharpeners.

2 — Pencil Cases

(They also work for pens!)

We all need to get organized, so why not include a place for your writer to keep their tools of the trade and other goodies from your Advent Calendar?

They're easy to find and in so many design options, whether you're looking for something simple

Pencil cases are excellent for writers on the go, too.

3 — Keychain Journals

Inspiration can strike anywhere and at any time! Make sure your writer is prepared with a keychain journal or notebook. They're the perfect size for an Advent Calendar and can be secured to their backpack, car keys, or purse for easy access.

I was gifted a pair of journals similar to these by a friend and they're so cute!

4 — Bookmarks

"Bookmarks are for quitters" might be a common saying, but life sadly does not allow us to read 24/7 (especially if you're trying to write a book of your own).

We've come a long way from the standard cardstock bookmarks. I'm seeing more metal ones and currently use a fabric one that I purchased with my book sleeve from Elizabeth Mayfair on Etsy, and you'll find plenty of designs on the market, making it easy to find one that fits your writer friend's style.

5 — Annotation Kits

Annotating books is nothing new, but it has gotten a bit of a glow-up with the rise of social media, especially BookTok and Bookstagram.

You've likely seen photos of books with highlighters, pens, and sticky tabs matching the covers, with each color potentially correlating to its own aspect.

Whether your writer friend is reading to post a review, studying the craft, or are just there for the vibes, annotation sets allow them to track their thoughts as they're reading and make for wonderful gifts.

6 — Mini Stationery Kits

We all know that miniature versions of things are infinitely cuter and more fun than their regular-sized counterparts.

And if you're a writer, you probably have an affinity for stationery.

That's what makes mini stationery kits a fantastic gift option for writers! Mine (pictured on the right) was a gift, though I've seen similar ones available at retailers like Five Below. You could also assemble one on your own if you're unable to find a pre-packaged one.

Mine contains:

• A Stapler and Staples

• A Staple Remover

• A Tape Dispenser and Tape

• Hole Punch

• Pencil Sharpener

• Scissors

and you could also add things like paper clips and sticky notes.

For a writer's Advent Calendar, you could leave the kit in one piece or break it up so your recipient collects a different piece each day.

7 — Flash drives

Among every writer's greatest fears is losing their document and not being able to restore it. Sometimes, even the cloud can fail!

Flash drives can come in clutch!

Nowadays, you can find plenty of novelty flash drives on the market, including a literal thumb drive, and some designed to be worn as necklace pendants and bracelets.

8 — Candy and Sweet Treats

When you think of Advent Calendars, the first that comes to mind might be the classic where each day's surprise was a piece of chocolate in a holiday-inspired shape. That's something you can easily bring to a writing-themed Advent Calendar, too.

As an example, you could include a bag of your writer friend's favorite candy as one of the gifts or pair each gift with an individually-wrapped chocolate bar. Dried fruits are also a good option.

9 — Enamel Pins

Enamel pins can be a fun way to add some writerly flair to your outfit! Maybe your writer friend has a go-to blazer or jacket, or a trusty bag they use to lug their writing gear to a local cafe or library.

I also recommend getting a few backup pin backs, just in case something happens.

10 — Nail Polish

Between things like typing and reading, we writers spend a lot of time staring at our hands (even if it's only in our periphery). Nail polish can be a fun way to add a pop of color to their writing process.

Consider finding colors that match their WIP's vibes or the covers of their published books. You could also pick out some that feel like the genres they write, like pinks for romance or blacks and purples for fantasy writers.

11 — Lotions and Hand Creams

Writers are always working with their hands, so it's important to show them some TLC, especially in the winter months when dry skin is especially common.

Lotions and hand creams make great stocking stuffers or Advent Calendar inclusions. You could pick up your recipient's favorite scent, have some fun with a seasonal one, or even one that fits your writer's current project. Aromatherapy can also be a guide, such as lavender for a calming effect.

If you need a recommendation, I have been utterly obsessed with the Paraffin hand cream from Bath and Body Works for a long time and have gotten several people hooked on it, too. As someone who has a terrible habit of picking at her cuticles, it's a game-changer!

12 — Candles

Candles are a popular gift choice for the holiday season, and they're perfect for writers. A lot of us (myself included) incorporate candles into our writing habits for ambiance and aromatherapy—the latter of which can also tie into our current projects, making for a more immersive writing experience.

You don't have to go for the big jars when you're putting together an Advent Calendar. Instead, look for the smaller tumblers and votives. They're a better size for an Advent Calendar and can provide a sampling to help your writer friend find their new favorite. They're also my ideal size for most seasonal scents, because I don't see myself gravitating towards gingerbread and peppermint in April or August.

As a bonus, I'm also going to suggest wax melts if your writer friend has a warmer to use them with.

13 — Cozy Socks

Listen. I know we all hated getting socks for Christmas as kids. But as adults, it's actually a treat.

'Tis the season for all things cozy. Not to mention a lot of writers strive to make their space feel cozy and homely. Trust me when I tell you that fluffy socks are a perfect choice for a writer's Advent Calendar.

14 — Recipe-in-a-Jar Kits

This time of year is all about sweet, homemade treats.

Recipe-in-a-Jar kits are great for writers (or really anybody) who love to bake but don't always have the time—and they're easy to make!

All you have to do is measure out the dry ingredients for a recipe (e.g., flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.) and jar them. Attach the recipe on a label or tag, and all your recipient needs to do is add the wet ingredients and pop it in the oven.

As someone who enjoys using the time a recipe is baking for writing sprints, these pre-made kits are excellent gifts.

15 — Teas, Coffees, and Cocoa Mixes

Writers are known for having a hot beverage on their desk as they work.

And this time of year, you'll find an abundance of seasonal mugs packaged with cocoa mixes. Let's be honest: do you really need another mug? Especially one that you'll probably only use for a few weeks out of the year?

Teas, coffees, and hot chocolate mixes are great gift additions on their own, and they're perfect for Advent Calendars, both as a single assortment gifted at once or doled out bit by bit or paired with other inclusions.

As a bonus, you could include additional fixin's like mini marshmallows and different flavorings.

16 — Computer Cleaning Kit

Writers spend a lot of time with their computers. And along the way, crumbs might fall between the keys, dust might build up, and fingerprints might dapple the screen.

A computer cleaning kit can help your writer keep their essential device in good shape.

Computer cleaning kits might not be something a writer thinks to purchase for themselves, but it's something they'll use often.

17 — Keycaps

Customizing my own mechanical keyboard is a total dream of mine. If you're not in a position to build a keyboard from the base up, keycaps are a good place to start.

Keycaps can add a personal touch or a pop of color to your keyboard.

Depending on the switches, you can soften the sound of your keystrokes or give your keyboard that clickety clack that scratches that itch for so many of us.

This one comes with a caveat, though: make sure the keycaps you get for your DIY Advent Calendar will fit your writer friend's keyboard.

18 — Page Embosser or Stamp

If your writer friend has amassed quite the library or loves lending books to others, a personalized page embosser or stamp like this one from CYQHandmadeShop on Etsy might be perfect for them.

19 — Page Holder

I mentioned this in another recent gift guide, and with good reason!

This 3D-printed page holder from PrintUrThings on Etsy has made my editing process smoother. I'm no longer hunching over my printout and swiveling between it and my screen. I just pop my pages into the holder and I have everything right in front of me.

It's a small thing but it's definitely handy to have.

20 — Face Masks

There's a reason face masks are popular Advent Calendar inclusions. Self-care is important for anyone, and writers are certainly no exception.

Face masks can offer an opportunity for that mental recharge we all need. Sheet masks often come in packs and can be paired with other suggestions on this list like candles and lotions, creating the perfect setup for a relaxing night.

Psst! If you want to add more self-care gift ideas to your Advent Calendar, check out this post on self-care for writers.

21 — Temporary Tattoos

Temporary tattoos were one of my favorite surprises in birthday party goody bags as a kid, so I think they'd be fun to add to an Advent Calendar.

You can find plenty of bookish designs on Etsy (like this one from FineLineTattoo). But if you aren't finding any to your liking, it's easy to make your own if you have the right kind of printer and specialized paper; that's actually how I made the tattoos for my Johnny Silverhand cosplay.

22 — Writer Dice

Excellent for writers who need a little creative boost, writing dice like this set from TwoTmbleweeds on Etsy can help you break out of writer's block and get some ideas rolling.

I also found a set of dice for revising from alwaysbeebooked, also on Etsy.

23 — Charm Bracelets

This is another one that can be spread across multiple days of a writer's Advent Calendar.

Charm bracelets seem to be making a comeback, so why not have some fun with this re-emerging trend and give your writer recipient everything they need to assemble their own!

If they have multiple projects or published works, you could look for charms that represent each one, or elements reminiscent of a single book they've written.

It's not only sentimental; it's unique to them and their stories—and it's something they continue to build on their writing journey.

24 — Fidgets

Writers do a lot of thinking. For many, that thinking and focusing on our writing is made easier with a fidget. Something we can use to keep our hands busy while our minds are hard at work.

My personal go-to is the Nee-Doh Nice Cube, but I'm also a fan of Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty and a spinning ring I wear on my index finger for a more discreet option. A friend of mine has a clicker from Pacific Paradise Prints and I've been meaning to get one for myself.

25 — DIY Coupons and Scratch-Off Cards

Your love language might be giving gifts. Your recipient might favor acts of service or quality time.

DIY coupons and scratch-offs can be the best of both worlds because you're able to give them your time and assistance when they need it. It could be as simple as offering a few hours to help with things around their home or a phone call so they can vent to you about the querying trenches.

Think about ways to support the writer in your life or tasks you don't mind doing for others, and turn those ideas into coupons your writer friend can redeem when they need a little pick-me-up or a helping hand.

Pro tip: Make sure you're offering things that are going to be feasible. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Things happen, of course, so just avoid offering things like a seven-course meal if that's not in your wheelhouse.

26 — Gift Cards

Gift cards get a bad rap. They're often treated like the last-minute thing you picked up because you forgot somebody on your shopping list, or the thing you got because you don't know somebody well enough but feel inclined and/or obligated to get them something.

However, gift cards can be thoughtful when selected with careful attention to the recipient's interests.

For a writer, this could mean picking up a gift card for their favorite coffee shop or bookstore, a meal delivery service to spare them from having to cook dinner (therefore allotting a little more time for writing), a subscription to the premium their favorite writing software, or an office supply store so they can stalk up on the essentials. You might also consider something as versatile as a Visa gift card that they can use at their discretion.

On a similar note, you could also make a contribution towards a goal your writer friend has been saving towards, such as hiring an editor or a cover artist.

Gift cards don't have to be framed as the gift you get when you don't know what to give. Really, they can be a way to say you get someone.

27 — Christmas Ornaments

This is an Advent Calendar, after all!

A bookish Christmas ornament feels like the perfect way to round off a writer's Advent Calendar.

As an alternative or something that can be displayed year-round, consider a suncatcher or other hanging decor.

Bonus

This last addition to this list is not an item, per se, but is worth mentioning.

Another thing you could include a note for your writer to read each day. Maybe it's a fun quip relating to each gift, a passage from the Bible, or a kind word straight from your heart. Something to let them know you're thinking of them.

Advent Calendars were always so much fun to have when I was a kid. The anticipation of finding out what was lying in wait behind each door added to the excitement and wonder of the season.

I've been fascinated by the evolution of Advent Calendars in recent years (Advent Calendar unboxing videos are kind of a guilty pleasure), and I love the concept of a writing-themed one.

Which of these ideas are your favorite? Are there any you'd want to add? Be sure to tell me in the comments!

And if you're looking for even more gift ideas this holiday season, check out my list of stocking stuffers for writers and these practical gifts the writer in your life will use on the regular.