Gift-giving is difficult enough without adding a global pandemic to the holiday mix. Experiences, long touted as one of the most meaningful gifts a loved one can receive, are mostly off the table in an age of social distancing. So, what do we give the trapped-at-home writers in our lives? How can we make a long, dark winter inside a little brighter?
Here are 10 ideas for the beloved writer in your life – or, hell, for yourself. We think Santa would approve.
1. Jane Austen teapot
This handmade six-cup teapot features a colorful row of Jane Austen’s novels, with a scene from Pride and Prejudice splayed in the book on top. (A one-cup version is also available.)
$100 for six-cup, $45 for one-cup; janeausten.co.uk
2. Libro.fm gift memberships
Perfect for the audiobook lover in your life, a gift membership to Libro.fm
allows the recipient to use credits to download whichever titles strike their fancy – and proceeds go to their local indie bookstore, not Amazon.
Memberships start at $15 for one audiobook credit; libro.fm/gift
3. Greetabl gift boxes
Instead of a one-size-fits-all premade basket, Greetabl allows users to customize their own gift boxes, offering a wide selection of small delights (candles, beauty products, jewelry, etc.) for gift-givers to choose from.
$10 per gift box, prices vary for gift items; greetabl.com
4. Bookbinding kit
Many of us have taken up new hobbies this year, but it’s probably safe to say only a few of us have taken up the art of bookbinding. If you know someone who’d love to bind their words by hand, this kit is a perfect entry point.
$24; pegandawlbuilt.com
5. 642 Tiny Things to Write About
This pint-size book, developed by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto, can serve as a handy creative block-buster throughout the dark, dreary winter months.
$9.95, chroniclebooks.com
6. Powell’s resist tote
“Read, rise, resist” encourages this bold-colored tote from beloved Portland institution Powell’s City of Books. (The design is also available on mugs, patches, enameled pins, and more.)
$8, powells.com
7. Personalized letter blanket
Weaving words takes on a whole new meaning with these customizable letter blankets, allowing you to swath loved ones in messages of support and affirmation.
$160, uncommongoods.com
Rather opt for a less-traditional gift? Consider these three ideas:
8. Registration fees for a virtual conference
In-person events may still be out of the question, but plenty of events have opted to go online instead of canceling entirely – and now’s the perfect time to score early-bird registration for 2021 events.
9. A subscription to a literary journal (or The Writer)
Who doesn’t love mail, especially in these homebound times? While of course we feel The Writer makes a perfect stocking stuffer, a subscription to a journal that focuses on the recipient’s genre is also an ideal choice.
10. Food delivery gift cards
Know a writer on a deadline? There may truly be no greater gift than the gift of not having to cook. Many food delivery sites, including Grubhub and DoorDash, offer gift cards for their services, so your loved one won’t be writing on an empty stomach.
