Call me a cynic, but I agree with E.M. Forster on this one:
Every year, I wrestle with the meaning of Christmas. I get so overwhelmed and stressed out by the notion of “the perfect gift” for all the people I love. My usual fantasy is of going on a trip during Christmas, to avoid the festivities entirely. But, you know, there are some traditions I like — joke gifts in stockings (my mom is famous for re-gifting my dad old underwear, for example), hot chocolate in snowman mugs, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Oh, and family time. I like that.
If you have a writer in your life, here are some good gift ideas:
Book-inspired clothing from outofprintclothing.com
Like this:
A subscription to Journal of the Month
There are tons of literary journals out there. It’s impossible to read all of them. With this, the lucky writer you love can sample a different one every month.
A subscription to Poets & Writers
This magazine has great interviews, tons of advice on publishing, and a calendar full of writing contests.
A gift card for Amazon.com
I have 130 books in the “saved for later” section of my cart. I assume many writers have this problem.
Alcohol
It helps. Try a gift certificate to Bev Mo or Total Wine if you don’t know what they like.
Coffee, tea, and other (legal) stimulants
Again, it helps. My friend got me a subscription to a tea of the month club. I will be caffeinated for years now.
A gift certificate for a massage
Writers tend to be very stressed out, especially in the midst of writing/editing a novel. You can tell because their shoulders will be raised to “rest” right under their ears. This is bad.
A gift certificate for yoga class
This helps with the stress–if the person is into this type of thing. Some people, like my fiance, consider yoga to be very stress-inducing.
An inspiring coffee table book
Why? Because when we’re typing at our computers and get stricken by writer’s block, it helps to have something nearby to pull our minds away enough (but not too much) to get sparks flying again. Here are a few I recommend:
Dear Photograph
(These creative photos of then and now are especially inspiring if you’re writing a multi-generational story)
Maddie on Things
(This dog will make you smile, even through the worst writer’s block)
Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone
(Flipping through pages of cemeteries puts things in perspective, trust me…or maybe I’m weird)
A 2014 calendar of a literary nature
Everyone needs a calendar, right? May as well make it relevant.
I’m partial to this one:
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What’s on your list?