Christmas gifts for writers
Now, we writers think we are easy to buy for. Easy. A bit of stationery and we’re happy! The people who love us may beg to differ though, so I asked lots of writers what they actually want to make life easier.
You’re welcome.
Here are the best suggestions…
Please, for the love of sweet baby gingerbread men, help us actually sit down and write!
The number one most-requested item was time and space.
It’s the thing we find hardest of all, to clear aside time that we are ALLOWED use just for ourselves, just for writing, without distractions or the to-do list getting in the way.
We need permission to write, and support to help us do it.
A one-day writing retreat
Yes, it’s blatant plug time.
If your writer lives near London, give them a writers retreat, a day where they don’t have to think about anything else, where there’s nothing else to do but write.
Having a full day to really think about a project and dig into it might be just what they need to revitalise their writing.
£45
Help them get their writing mojo back
Sometimes, although we claim we’re too busy to write, it isn’t really about that. It’s easy to lose confidence, to decide that your writing is rubbish or to just get scared. Fear is a major reason for people not writing, and it can be hard to overcome by yourself.
If you (or the writer in your life) aren’t writing at the moment and are feeling a bit frustrated about the whole thing, if the notebook is abandoned and sad-looking and the ideas have vanished, I have just the thing for you.
The Writer’s Block Detox is a 4-week online adventure starting 5th January with daily writing prompts, cheerleading and exercises to get any stalled writer fired-up and working again.
It’s on Earlybird price of £97 until Christmas Eve – after that it goes up to £147.
Stationery
Well of course, stationery. Do check though, because a lot of writers are oddly specific about what they use (one specified “moleskine notebooks: squared or dots, plain in a pinch, but never lined”).
Notebooks
A lovely pen
A diary/planner
For those of a more planner-oriented nature, or who like their diaries a little bossy, I’m obsessed with the Best Self Planner.
Lovely Subscriptions
Coffee, chocolate, books… who wouldn’t want these to arrive on their doorstep every month?
Chocolate subscription
How about this one from Montezuma’s? It’s £59.97 for 3 months.
Coffee subscription
I got someone a subscription to Rave Coffee last year and they LOVED it. Plus, it’s under £20 for 3 months. Bargain.
Book subscription
The Willoughby Book Club is £29.99 for 3 months of YA/kids books, or from £34.99 for 3 months of bespoke books or another package (e.g. contemporary fiction, cookery books).
Gifty Things
Sometimes you just want to give someone something that will make them smile. My suggestions are:
Warm socks
My choice is these RNLI socks from Finisterre. Let’s face it, most of us don’t spend £20 on socks, but they are lush and you’ll be supporting the RNLI
Obstinate Headstong Girl
A great mug
A proper workstation
Let’s face it, most of us are reluctant to spend a lot on things just for us, for our writing. It feels selfish. But a proper desk setup can make writing a pleasure, make it easier to get started, make it less likely that postural problems will develop.
Try these…
A comfy chair
A proper desk
A laptop support
You’ll also need a separate keyboard for this setup – try the Logitech K360 for £24.99
And if all else fails
Get a token for a massage parlour. Even one of those places that does 15 minute chair massages can really get the knots out and make us feel shiny and new.
Look after your writer, and they will look after you (or, you know, at least they won’t write bad stuff about you in their books).