It’s that time of year again, when your mailbox gets filled to capacity with catalogs hawking everything from hovercrafts to mint pastilles. Your favorite radio station has been taken over by Christmas carols. And a certain coffee company releases their seasonal cups (full disclosure : these bring me great joy!). You might feel that anxiety creeping in about gift giving, especially if you have some hard to buy for people in your life. Well I’m here to help you with that, if your hard to buy for person happens to be a WRITER!
How, you might ask? Well, if you’re here, you can see – I’m a writer, so I know what I’m talking about – at least some of the time. I’ve got suggestions for Comfort! Novelty! Practical Use! And because I want to follow in Oprah and Goop’s footsteps – some absolutely outrageous suggestions that you would only think of if you had a limitless bank account, or really wanted to impress the writer in your life.
This list has been curated by yours truly, and yep, I’ve either tried or would LOVE to try most of these. There are links in each description. ENJOY!
COMFORT
Winter is coming, be prepared! I’ve found the following gifts indispensable to me during the cooler months!
Wrist warmers
These are perfect for drafty drafting days!
I know, I know, at first glance these might seem a bit…much, but trust me, when you work at a computer, and only your hands and wrists are peeking out – your extremities can get chilly.
Mine are from the Sundance catalog, but you can also search Etsy for lots of cute styles! (and support smaller business to boot!).
Fancy-schmancy hand cream
LOVE this scent!
You know what no one tells you about writing? You stare at your hands an awful lot, and one day you will look at those hands and wonder…when did my skin get so dry? Take care of your mitts! I discovered Beekman 1802 hand cream last year and it is really worth the hype. Absorbs quickly! Honeyed Grapefruit is my favorite scent! And the bottle is sooooo pretty!
Candles
Marshmallow Fireside is so cozy!
Candles are so hygge. With daylight hours dwindling, lighting a candle can light your mood, and they just make things so cozy – which is conducive to writing or reading. Scented candles really aren’t part of hygge protocol, (neither is the word protocol but, you get the picture) but you can usually find a Bath and Body Works within a stone’s throw and BONUS - you can warm your hands over the three wicks!
NOVELTY
Because even writers like to have fun stuff between killing their darlings!
Writer’s Block soap
…smells like regurgitated ideas and probably a vampire…
I received this in my stocking one year, and now it sits on my desk. Does it work? I don’t know, it’s my “crack it open in case of emergency” remedy.* The description just makes me giggle.
Banned Book Socks
*image from Uncommon Goods (so many fun gifts on that site too!! Check it out!!)
These scream Rebel WRITER! And they are warm and comfy too.
Literary Temporary Tattoos
Mine are from Pride and Prejudice! *image from Litographs website.
In case you want to try out your ink first or change it up according to your mood! BONUS: The Litographs website has so many fun ideas for the bookish people in your life!!
PRACTICAL
Useful things make the creative life easier!
CROCK POT
I know, sexy, right? *image from Crock Pot website
Hear me out. No, it’s not glamorous, and if you watch This is Us, you might have an avid hate for them, but when you spend a large part of the day draining your brain onto a page, often the last thing you have the energy to do is prepare a meal, either for yourself of your family. That’s where the Crock Pot comes in. Mix up the ingredients in the morning and voila – Chicken Tikka Masala for dinner. Honest, healthier and cheaper than take out! It’s pretty indispensable.
Notebooks
Hi, my name is Robin, and I am a notebook addict.
I once had a friend bring me back a gorgeous leather bound journal from Italy. Want to know how many words I wrote in it? ZIP. It was too…pretty. It demanded serious writing, journals of expeditions, or tales from other realms. It was too much pressure. These five dollar notebooks from Michael’s are a writers best friend! Lined pages, aesthetically pleasing and easy to pop into a messenger bag. You can’t go wrong! Get a bunch!
A Year of HEADSPACE
I adore Headspace.
When your mind is your tool, you need to take care of it. For 99.00 a year (less with a coupon!) you can get a daily meditation and so much more. There are packs for productivity and creativity and even sleepcasts. Worth every penny.
BONUS: Gift Cards!! Ah, the workhorse of the holiday season. People often think they are the lazy way out, but I beg to differ. Indie bookstores? Office supply stores? Coffee shops? Massages? Maybe not glam but much appreciated!
EXTRAVAGANT!
If you want to spend the big bucks! (Or just, you know, dream….)
A Standing Desk
*image from Varidesk website of which I have no affiliation with…but this is like the Rolls Royce of standing desks.
Ernest Hemingway. Virginia Woolf. Stan Lee. What do these three writers have in common? They all stood up as they wrote. Also - because sitting is the new smoking, apparently. I suppose you could use your kitchen counter, but where’s the fun in that. Ooooh, pretty AND functional.
Writer’s Retreat
Ah, Prague. Photo Credit: Ryan Lum for Unsplash
Because sometimes you need a change in scenery!
Christmas Dinner in the Great Hall at Hogwarts!
Christmas Dinner at Hogwarts…’nuff said. This is sold out this year, but hey, never too early to think about next year, right? I mean CHRISTMAS DINNER AT HOGWARTS!
BONUS: Subscription Boxes!!
Books! Chocolate! Coffee! Bubble Bath! If your writer has a favorite something, there’s probably a subscription box for it! (and you don’t even have to buy it for the year! An affordable luxury!)
And that concludes my list! Please note - this is just personal, I’m not affiliated with any of the businesses, I included the links for convenience. Some of the products I’ve used, and some, like um, dinner at Hogwarts, I can only dream about. I don’t receive any compensation. No trips. No Fizzing Whizzbees. Nada. Bupkiss. If you try any of these, and don’t like them, don’t come back waving your virtual fist at me, pretty please. This post is strictly for FUN!! I hope your holidays are merry and bright!!!
*no, the writer’s block soap is not something I use in case of emergency…but I’ve been tempted….