{"id":5368,"date":"2019-10-02T11:48:27","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T18:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nebulous-oyster.flywheelsites.com\/?p=5368"},"modified":"2022-07-27T09:59:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T16:59:04","slug":"15-fabulous-gifts-for-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jennifermargulis.net\/15-fabulous-gifts-for-writers\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Fabulous Gifts For Writers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"15

Soap For Introverts By Whiskey River Soap Co. is a fabulous gift for a writer or introvert in your life!<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019ve never been much of a gift giver.<\/p>\n

Or a gift receiver.<\/p>\n

My palms sweat as I unwrap a present, worrying if the smile plastered on my face looks as fake as it feels.<\/p>\n

Why do I hate getting gifts?<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s the Jewish guilt: I worry someone spent money they didn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n

Maybe it’s the environmental guilt:<\/p>\n

I fret about plastic packaging<\/a> going into the landfill.<\/p>\n

Maybe it’s the working class social justice guilt:<\/p>\n

I even manage to feel guilty that the workers who made the gift might have been mistreated<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And let\u2019s not talk about whether the gift contains off-gassing toxins<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

But I’m a professional writer and editor<\/a> and have many friends who are writers<\/a> and I’m always looking for fabulous gifts for writers.<\/p>\n

The presents I like best are experiences:<\/h2>\n

\u2705\u00a0homemade food<\/p>\n

\u2705\u00a0handmade drawings<\/p>\n

\u2705\u00a0artwork<\/p>\n

\u2705\u00a0coupons from my kids for things like soccer lessons (my holiday present from my son) and babysitting (my birthday present from my daughter)<\/p>\n

\u2705\u00a0donation to a charity in my name<\/p>\n

These are all fabulous gifts for writers, I think.<\/p>\n

And now that I\u2019ve established that I am the last person<\/em> on earth to be recommending fabulous gifts for writers, you should probably click off my website and read another blog by someone more qualified.<\/p>\n

Still reading?<\/p>\n

Here are my thoughts on the 15 most fabulous gifts for writers.<\/p>\n

N.B.: If you\u2019re as worried as I am about the environment, a possible workaround is to offset the carbon emissions<\/a> by planting trees.<\/p>\n

Though my teenager insists, \u201cthat\u2019s totally lame, Mo-om,\u201d it seems like a good idea to me.<\/p>\n

\"15

If you’re worried about killing trees (and even if you’re not), wrap gifts in old maps, calendar pages, or reusable cloth wrapping. Photo via Pixabay.<\/p><\/div>\n

The 15 most fabulous gifts to give to a writer you love<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Writerly socks:<\/strong> How can any writer not want #2 pencil knee high socks<\/a>, banned book socks<\/a>, Shakespeare socks<\/a>, or Edgar Allan Poe socks<\/a>?! Socks make a fabulous gift for anyone, but they are especially fabulous gifts for writers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"15

    Yellow library card socks. How awesomely geeky are these? Screenshot from outofprintclothing dot com.<\/p><\/div>\n

      \n
    1. A Jane Austen cushion cover<\/strong>: I\u2019ve read Pride and Prejudice<\/em> ten times. If the writer in your life loves Jane Austen, he or she needs one of these<\/a>. Or you could splurge on some Merimekko cushions instead. Their patterns inspire mucho creativity. (Mucho means mucho in Finnish.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"Jane<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. A houseplant: <\/strong>Plants make indoor spaces look more inviting and help filter the air. Every time you breathe you are feeding them. Give your writer friend a potted cutting from one of your own plants or buy one at the local nursery. Plants make fabulous gifts for writers. Just choose a species that is easy to take care of, so writerly distraction doesn\u2019t lead to unintentional planticide.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \"15<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Fair-trade organic chocolate:<\/strong> Chocolate sharpens the mind, gives a hit of caffeine, and lights up reward centers in the brain. Dark chocolate is rumored to have myriad other health benefits though some of us prefer milk (raises hand). My husband\u2019s favorites are all so expensive we don\u2019t ever actually eat them: Domori<\/a>, Michel Cluizel<\/a>, Vosges<\/a>. Our local chocolatier is less pricey and pretty good: Lillie Belle Farms<\/a>. Or go for a gag gift and get some of these disgusting brain lollipops<\/a>, jelly-filled gummy brains<\/a>, or Shakespeare insult gum<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \"15

          Fair trade organic chocolate makes a delicious gift for a writer. Photo via Pixabay.<\/p><\/div>\n

            \n
          1. Writer\u2019s block soap<\/strong>:<\/strong> Soap<\/a> is another gift I like because\u2014even though it may not actually be necessary (think: no \u2019poo)\u2014soap is experiential. Moreover, writers are too busy creating to take showers<\/a>, so a sassy bar of soap<\/a> makes for a good reminder. Just kidding. But soap makes is definitely on my A list of fabulous gifts for writers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \"15

            Soap For Introverts By Whiskey River Soap Co.<\/p><\/div>\n

              \n
            1. A little dough:<\/strong> I made this money pizza for my 11 year old<\/a>. Just like tweens, writers are usually short on cash. Make one of these for them. Just substitute the two-dollar bills for twenties.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \"15

              Since you can’t live on pizza alone, I thought you might like a little dough. A money pizza is among my top picks of fabulous gifts for writers. Photo via Jennifer Margulis.<\/p><\/div>\n

                \n
              1. A blank book:<\/strong> Writing in a gilded Italian hand-made journal covered in Florentine paper, like this one<\/a>\u00a0(which is currently unavailable) or any of these<\/a> (aren\u2019t they gorgeous?), is inspirational to even the most reluctant writer. These journals are so beautiful they feel sinful. I burn through notebooks, so I\u2019m always grateful to receive a blank book, sketchbook, reporter\u2019s notebook, or moleskin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \"15

                Eccolo Italian Florentine Journal, 5 x 7 Inches, Burgundy. Photo via Amazon dot com.<\/p><\/div>\n

                  \n
                1. A novel, book of short stories, or book of poems: <\/strong>Inspire the writer in your life by gifting her your favorite book. A collection of read-aloud poetry also makes a good gift. We exchange poems on Hanukah<\/a> instead of presents; Talking Like the Rain<\/a> illustrated by Jane Dyer is our family\u2019s favorite book of children\u2019s poems.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  \"51fwxkovul-_sx373_bo1204203200_\"<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. A bottle of fine wine<\/strong> (or scotch): Armed with Bacchus\u2019s elixir, your writer friend can implement Hemingway\u2019s advice, \u201cWrite drunk, edit sober.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \"15

                    A nice bottle of wine, or any fun and fruity beverage, makes a great gift for a working writer. Photo via Pixaby.<\/p><\/div>\n

                      \n
                    1. A nice pen<\/strong>: to go with #7. When the writer in your life is in the painful process of revising her work<\/a>, a pen is an especially fabulous gift.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \"15

                      A nice pen is always among my top fabulous gifts for writers. Screenshot via jetpens dot com.<\/p><\/div>\n

                        \n
                      1. A massage<\/strong>: A friend in my real-life writing group a few years ago gifted me a one-hour massage to celebrate submitting my book to the publisher. Best present ever. What better to put on the list of fabulous gifts for writers than a massage?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \"15

                        A relaxing massage. What more could a writer desire? Photo via Pixabay.<\/p><\/div>\n

                        \u00a0<\/strong>An adventure<\/strong>: I tell middle and high school students who are aspiring writers that to be a good writer<\/a> you have to lead an interesting life, take risks, and step outside your comfort zone.<\/strong> That goes for more established writers<\/a> as well. Give your writer friend an adventure. It doesn\u2019t need to be ziplining (though that\u2019s a good one). It could be watching your local doctor perform a Cesarean section<\/a>, a day at the racetrack, or a midnight hike. Other ideas: a psychic reading, a private visit to your city\u2019s water treatment plant, a Segway ride, a backstage theater tour<\/a>, an afternoon at the gun range, a flying lesson.<\/p>\n

                        \"map-of-the-world-1715049_960_720\"<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Lavender oil<\/strong>: Calming and sweet smelling, lavender oil is the perfect balm to calm the anxious writer\u2019s nerves. It also alleviates headaches, and can help with concentration. “Elevation,” an essential oil blend I also really like, is crazy expensive but also a fabulous gift if the writer in your life needs cheering up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          \"15<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. A coffee cup <\/strong>like\u00a0this one<\/a> or this one<\/a>: Grammar nerds (raises hand) love this stuff. Besides, you need coffee with your chocolate (see #4).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            \"Great

                            Let’s eat Grandma. Grammar can be dangerous. Commas can save lives. Photo via CafePress dot com.<\/p><\/div>\n

                              \n
                            1. A retreat: <\/strong>My best friend arranged for us to spend a weekend working at the Coast, a few hours away from home. She brought markers and oversized papers and we each brainstormed and drew our goals on the first day. We took exercise breaks every few hours; she woke at dawn to photograph the sunrise. It was a lot cheaper than an actual writers\u2019 retreat, there were no application forms, and we both got an astounding amount of work done.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \"Sunset

                              Sunset in Bandon by the Sea, Oregon seen during a writers’ retreat. Photo by Sue Langston.<\/p><\/div>\n

                              Writers and writer lovers: What\u2019s your favorite gift to give? What’s the best gift you’ve received? <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

                              What fabulous gifts for writers do you recommend? What have I forgotten? Please share\u00a0your gift ideas in the comment section below.<\/p>\n

                              Updated: July 27, 2022<\/p>\n

                              Related posts:<\/strong><\/span>
                              \n                              11 Perfect Presents for an 11-Year-Old Boy<\/a>
                              \n                              12 Great Books for 12-Year-Olds<\/a>
                              \n                              A Writer’s Work: Getting Paid for What You Write<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              The presents I like best are experiences: homemade food, handmade drawings, artwork, coupons from my kids for things like soccer lessons (my holiday present from my son) and babysitting (my birthday present from my daughter), or a donation to a charity.<\/p>\n

                              So now that I\u2019ve established that I am the last person on earth to be recommending gift, you should probably click off my website and read another blog by someone more qualified.<\/p>\n

                              Still reading? Here are my thoughts on the 15 most fabulous gifts to give to writers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[8352,8162,8],"tags":[746,747,749,750],"yoast_head":"\nFabulous Gifts for Writers, 15 Great Ideas From Jennifer Margulis<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From pencil socks to a writer retreat, here are 15 fabulous gifts for writers or aspiring writers. 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