It’s that time of year again: when you agonize over what to get that writer you know. Surely not another book, right? But what? Here are 25 great ideas you can use to spark your creativity (plus a few bonus gifts at the end). These run from inexpensive to “wow,” so you can judge which section you’d like to peruse first.
- Stickers (under $5): This one says “Master of Worlds” and features an open book with a pen and pencil crossed above it. Totally a writerly sticker and a great stocking stuffer. It comes in several sizes too.
- Pens ($5 and up): What writer doesn’t like a snappy-looking pen? These are from The Pen Place.
- Pen Loops by Leuchtturm (under $10): These are little stick-on holders for a journal, notebook, or really pretty much any flat surface. It has a loop to put a pen through, making your book or device into a handy pen holder.
3. The Emotion Thesaurus (under $10 on Kindle): This book, and the others in the same series, is designed to give your writer an alternative to the typical emotional descriptor (“He was angry” or “She felt sad”). It gives different emotions and what your expression and body language would be with that particular emotion. Very useful!
4. “Writer at Work” Sign for your door (under $10): This is a cute little plastic sign to hang on your doorknob. It’s designed to fit any standard doorknob, so it should work for any writer. It’s a great stocking stuffer or Christmas card insert.
5. Socks ($10-15): Out of Print has a whole page of Book Socks, with reading penguins, banned books, library cards, or fictional characters on them. Who doesn’t like a pair of quirky socks?
6. Motivational Writing Poster ($20 and up): This one says “You are a writer. Your words hold immense power to touch hearts, transform minds, and shape the course of history. Ignite the world with the magic of your words.” It comes in several sizes (and prices).
7. Cocktail Recipes (under $15): Tequila Mockingbird and its sequel, Are You There God, It’s Me, Margarita are hilarious recipe books full of literary cocktails like “The Island of Dr. Merlot” or “Fifty Shades of Grey Goose.”
8. Candles (around $20): This one is a soy candle with “Inklings” scent (whatever that is) but you can also get many other “literary” scents, too, like from Paddywax.
9. Aqua Notes ($15): Supposedly, many great writers get their best ideas in the bath or shower. Here are water-proof notepads for your writer to use when the muse strikes!
10. Fingerless Gloves ($30): These will keep your writer’s hands warm without obstructing the fingers needed to write with (or use the tech with). This particular pair is from StoryArts and features Pride and Prejudice.
11. Jane Austen Color-Changing Mug ($20): You’ve seen these mugs. The designs change depending on the temperature of the liquid inside. This one goes from daywear to evening gown and back.
12. Literary Jigsaw Puzzle (around $15): This 1,000-piece puzzle features the covers of classic children’s books from the Bodleian Library’s collection.
13. Writing Dice (around $20): These nine dice tell you Who, What, When, Where, and Why so you can generate a random plot (or embellish one you’ve already got going).
14. NovelTea (around $20): Literary teas with names like Pippi Oologstocking, The Picture of Earl Gray, and The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow! And they come in decorative tins, too.
15. Games ($20 and up): There are plenty of writerly games out there, such as Papercuts (like Cards Against Humanity but with a literary twist), A Game of Storytelling, The Story Engine, and Storymatic.
16. Typewriter Coasters (around $25): four ceramic coaster “keyboards” in a vintage typewriter-shaped holder.
17. Personal Library Kit (around $25): This is a fun little kit to help keep track of who has what book. Just like a real library!
18. Dramatic Bookends (under $30): Really, any bookend that matches your writer’s personality will work, but these feature a hapless reader about to be buried under their TBR pile.
19. 100 Essential Novels Scratch-Off Poster (around $25): This poster is an interactive one that your writer can scratch off when the book has been read. Fun for all!
20. Literary Tote Bags ($30 and up): These are from Well Read. What writer doesn’t need a good tote bag?
21. Laptop Stand (around $25): This one’s by MOFT and is designed to correct that hunched-over posture.
22. Gingko’s Smart Booklight ($50): This is a lamp that looks like an open book (the pages shine).
23. Shirts ($30 and up): This one’s a sweatshirt with a print of “The Writer,” an (imaginary) Tarot card.
24. Book Book ($60): This is for the iPhone 17 (you can sometimes find them for the latest MacBook Pro as well). It’s a cover that looks like an old-fashioned, leather-bound book.
25. Book Embosser ($45): Who doesn’t want their own, personalized embosser?
BONUS: 26: Lochby Journal ($60): This is a nifty notebook holder (it holds four European-sized notebooks, which the company will also provide at an additional price) that will also hold a pen and just about anything else your writer needs to keep track of when writing (there are several pockets as well).
These are all tangible gifts. You can also give your writer intangibles, like a subscription to Masterclass (upwards of $100 depending on sales and promotions), writers’ conferences or workshops or retreats (can range into the thousands of dollars depending on the site and who’s presenting, and even a Reedsy writing course for $1250. You could also get them a subscription to a good magazine like Writer’s Digest for around $25 a year, so intangibles don’t have to be pricy.