Practical Gifts For Writers

Holiday shopping is a favorite tradition for many people, whether you're braving the Black Friday crush in an extreme version of Supermarket Sweep or shopping online as you binge-watch the latest batch of Hallmark movies. I personally get waaaay too invested in Secret Santa and take pride in going just a tad overboard while remaining within the agreed-upon budget.

I've been told I've got a gift for gift ideas, to the point I've had loved ones ask me for ideas and suggest I make a business out of it somehow. And, apparently, they're not alone in that.

Around this time last year, I posted a list of gift ideas for writers, and it's since become one of the most-read on the blog. So I figured it was time for a follow-up!

Writers are mysterious creatures that don't always make a ton of sense to our non-writer friends, and that can make us tricky to shop for.

As I've gotten older, I've become more aware of how difficult decluttering is, and that's made me a fan of giving (and receiving) gifts that are practical and functional. I'd rather have something that I'll use regularly and that will last than something on the frivolous end of the spectrum.

If you've got a writer on your shopping list this holiday season (or any time of year), here are some practical gifts they'll likely use in their everyday writing lives—and might even make their writing easier!

A Subscription For A Writing Software

There are plenty of writing programs out there. Some, like Google Docs, are free, or have free versions with premium upgrades available. Others require purchasing the software or a subscription to keep using it; these often have helpful features for plotting, editing, or even formatting their books for print.

If your writer friend has a favorite software with a monthly or annual fee, offering to cover it for a length of time is not only a kind gift but a show of your support for their goals. Some also offer lifetime memberships, meaning the software is theirs to use forever without recurring costs. If there's one they use regularly for free that has additional premium features, you could make the upgrade on their behalf.

Many writers use MS Word. Scrivener is a popular choice (though I myself have limited experience with it as it doesn't run on my Chromebook), and I've heard good things about Dabble but haven't tried it for myself just yet.

Not sure what would best suit your writer's needs? Most programs offer a free trial that lets potential users get a feel for things. Consider putting together a list of software for them to test-drive and have them choose their favorite.

On a similar note, if your writer pal has a website hosted via Wix, WordPress, Squarespace, or another platform, you could contribute towards those costs.

Do Not Disturb Sign

This can be a solid choice for writers living in a shared space.

Boundaries are important for writers in order to preserve our time, focus, and protect our piece of mind. That includes your writing area.

It sometimes helps to have a physical, visual element that can let others know you're busy.

The classic Do Not Disturb sign is the one you hang over your doorknob, as you might at a hotel. I've also seen ones that sit on your desk and even literal neon signs to hang on the wall.

Whether or not the other members of your writer's household abide by the sign is another matter entirely, of course...

Lap Desk

via Amazon

Even though you might use your laptop in your lap, that may not be the best position. Depending on how you're sitting with it, you may experience neck or back pain after long stretches of time. Your computer may also overheat if it isn't properly ventilated.

Getting a lap desk elevates your screen, making it more ergonomic. It allows better airflow to help keep your computer running smoothly, and it's a more stable surface that won't be bouncing around as you type.

Bonus points if it's also got storage space!

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Music is a staple in the routines of many writers, whether it's a playlist inspired by their current WIP, setting the mood, or simply needing to block out distractions so they can concentrate.

Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds are a practical gift option for writers who use music as a tool in their process. Plus, they can also be a visual cue for others to leave them be during writing sessions.

And if the writer on your shopping list prefers writing in silence, consider getting them a solid set of earplugs.

Mug Warmer

via Amazon

Mugs are a go-to gift. It's especially easy to find them this time of year, and they're often part of a gift set with hot chocolate mixes or tea.

They're also a common gift for writers. After all, when we think about writers, they're often pictured with a cup of tea or coffee.

But because they're so commonly gifted, your writer friend might have more mugs than they need, making another one impractical; having gone through my own mugs as part of my effort to downsize in recent months, I can attest to that!

So instead of giving them another mug, why not go with something they can use with the mugs they already have?

Two words: mug warmer.

Getting your writer a mug warmer they can keep on their desk not only keeps their hot beverages warm, it also keeps them from having to get up to reheat it—sparing their writing from being interrupted by trips to the kitchen.

Insulated Mugs

As an alternative to a mug warmer, you could go with an insulated mug or tumbler.

They're perfect for keeping drinks warm and cold, and they're a great option for writers on the go. You'll find them in different sizes and colors, making it easy to find one that's perfect for your writer friend. You could even get them a personalized one with their name (or pen name) on it!

My workplace gifted us ones like these earlier this year and I love mine so much I actually bought another to use at home!

Aromatherapy Sets

For many writers, getting into the right (or write) mindset is all about their space. And some use aromatherapy as a tool to boost their creativity and focus—all while making their space feel more like their own; I personally look for fragrances that remind me of my writing projects to help me connect with those stories as I'm working on them.

Aromatherapy can come in several different forms, including essential oil diffusers, wax melts and candles, and room sprays, meaning you've got plenty of options and even more smells to choose from!

Sniffing out aromatherapy scents that are perfect for writers? Head over to this post for a starter list.

Refillable Notebook

Writers are known to hoard notebooks. We're also known to not actually use them.

For some writers, myself included, it's partially because we're worried about ruining the pretty notebooks we collect with writing that isn't worthy of them. That our writing isn't good enough, and we'll therefore be wasting the pretty notebook by writing in it. I've opted for $1 black-and-white composition notebooks for that reason.

via Amazon

Refillable notebooks are a compromise. You still get the pretty cover, but you're not as worried about ruining the notebook with your writing because the pages are removable and easy to replace.

I've been using an A5 binder for this draft of my current WIP. It's compact and portable, and I'm able to shuffle my pages around if I decide to change the order of scenes. It's also easier to scrap pages that aren't working because you don't have to rip them out of a notebook.

Mini Stationery Kit

Or, as I call mine, the Non-Stationary Stationery Kit.

My travel stationery kit

If your writer friend does a lot of writing on the go, has a limited amount of desk real estate, or just finds immense joy in tiny things, a miniature office supply kit is a wonderful option.

Mine was a gift, though I've seen them at Five Below and assume stores like Staples also carry them.

What's included will depend on the kit itself. And if you're not finding the one that's exactly perfect for your friend, you could easily put one together yourself!

Book Sleeves

Book sleeves are something I discovered last year. I've gifted them to fellow bookworms and use my own regularly.

via ElizabethMayfair, Etsy

Book sleeves are fabric sleeves designed to protect your books from wear and tear when you're on the go. If your writer friend spends their lunch breaks reading or does a lot of traveling, or is basically Rory Gilmore and takes a book with them everywhere just in case, book sleeves are a gift they'll get plenty of use from.

I purchased my book sleeve from ElizabethMayfair on Etsy. They're available in an abundance of patterns and colors, making it easy to find one that fits your writer friend's vibe.

You could even pair it with matching supplies for annotating their books!

Remote Control Page Turner

via Sears

Much of my reading this year has been eBooks on my Samsung tablet. It's a good size, but that also makes it heavy and gradually harder to hold during long reading sessions, especially when I'm reading in bed at the end of the day.

I've been considering upgrading to an actual Kindle (and looking into refurbished options to save a little on the purchase when I do eventually make it), and that research has introduced me to remote control page turners.

There are multiple components to this gadget: a receiver that clips onto your device and a remote control. The buttons on the latter allow you to turn the page by sending a signal to the receiver that mimics a tap on the screen, allowing for hands-free reading.

You could also look into getting a stand for their tablet to go with it.

Page Holder

Writers have a habit of hunching over their desks.

I prefer to edit with a printout of my WIP and a set of colored pens. But it's the process of transferring those notes to the digital version of my WIP that can take a physical toll. Swiveling between the papers on my desk and my monitor's screen and back again.

That's what makes a page holder like this so handy!

I purchased mine from PrintUrThings on Etsy for about $5 before shipping. It holds about thirty pages upright, which has lessened the strain on my neck when I'm editing.

It's such a simple thing, but it's so useful to have!

Gift Cards

I feel like gift cards get a bad rap during the holiday season, often seen as a last-minute option picked up on the way to dinner because you forgot someone on your shopping list or didn't know them well enough to know what to get them.

However, when there's genuine intention behind them, gift cards go over well.

For instance, I can count on at least one Ulta gift card for my birthday and Christmas because that person doesn't know as much about makeup but knows it's something I love, and that they would rather I pick out something in my shade that works with my sensitive skin than take a guess and get it totally wrong.

When we think of gift cards for writers, the first thought that might come to mind would be for a bookstore. You might not know what books they already own and wouldn't want to risk gifting a duplicate, or you might not be 100% sure about their reading interests or if they prefer hardcover or paperbacks. Gift cards let them pick out something they'll for sure read.

Visa gift cards and the like are versatile. Maybe you can't remember if your friend has a Kindle or a Nook, but you know they can't read B&N eBooks on a Kindle because the file types are incompatible.

Gift cards can make sure your writer friend gets exactly what they'd love or need.

Bonus Tip

Books are generally a safe bet when it comes to gifts for writers.

If you're purchasing any books online, allow me to suggest doing so through Bookshop.org! It's a fantastic way to support independent booksellers, whether it's choosing a specific store or contributing to the pool that benefits all eligible stores.

Holiday shopping might be an adrenaline rush for some. It's a borderline game to me. For others, however, it's a taxing chore.

When you're unsure what to gift anyone on your list, finding a practical option they'll use regularly is often a safe bet.

Even though this collection of gift ideas is geared towards writers, I'd like to say they're great for non-writers, too. But if you're in need of more inspiration, check out this list of stocking stuffer ideas!

What are you gifting the writer in your life this holiday season? Or, if you're a fellow writer, what are you hoping to be gifted (or gifting yourself)? Let me know in the comments below!