I started writing a post about the profound and overwhelming sadness I’ve felt since the election. But writing that post felt too profoundly and overwhelmingly sad! Impossible even. Then, somehow, I ended up here instead, putting together a gigantic gift guide for writers and readers. I’m so angry at the capitalist machine that brought us a government run by the likes of Trump and Musk, that has moved us toward oligarchy, and yet here I am offering retail therapy. Go figure. Apologies for the hypocrisy.
I hope you find something on my list to give the writers and readers in your life, as well as some distraction from your worries about the next four years. I wholeheartedly believe that we need art and literature more than ever right now, and any little things we can do to make the writing life easier or more pleasurable is worth investing in. If you are a writer who wants some of these gifts, there’s no shame in sending the list to your parents, significant others, siblings, cousins, friends, or Santa himself! The gifts range from cheap to very pricey; there’s something for every budget. Note that these are all products I personally like; rest assured that I’m not making any money off of these links.
Backpack: I bought myself a Leather NYPL Bookbinding Stamp Backpack when they were on sale this summer for 25% off the current price of $190. It looks like you can still get this bag for 10% off. I absolutely love mine. It’s very stylish and well-made. Lots of great little pockets and a gorgeous plaid lining inside. The only drawback is its size: just a bit too small to hold a laptop.
Book Puzzles: I love to do puzzles over the holidays. Barnes & Noble has a variety of fun book-themed puzzles this year: a banned book puzzle, romance books puzzle, historical fiction puzzle, and others.
Customized T-shirts: Recently, while reading Janelle Bassett’s amazing debut short story collection, Thanks for this Riot, I came across a line I loved. So I put it on a T-shirt and sent it to her! I used Canva to make a cute sunshine design. It was a cheap, fun surprise. To do this yourself, pull a title, quote, or key phrase from your own writer’s books, poems, or stories, play around on Canva, and upload the image onto customized Cafépress T-shirts, pajamas, or mugs. Budget two weeks to arrive from CaféPress. I’m sure other companies do this if you don’t like CaféPress.
Studs Featuring the Word Fuck: I know a lot of writers who adore the word fuck. Believe me, these “Fuck” earrings are an excellent stocking stuffer. Cost: $50. There are also bracelet and ring versions.
Editing Services: Does your writer friend need editorial guidance on a story or book they’re working on? How about giving them professional editing services? Freelance editors I recommend: Jonquil Editorial by former Kenyon Review Fiction Editor Kirsten Reach; Beth Gilstrap, Editor of Little Fiction and Black Lily Zine; or Ashley Strosnider, former Managing Editor of Prairie Schooner.
Socks. You’re probably already familiar with Out of Print. You could spend hours shopping their site! But if you don’t have time to browse, just go straight to these Library Card Socks. They are my favorite stocking stuffer, come in a variety of colors, and only cost $12. Barnes & Noble also sells some fleece-lined reading socks that seem super cozy. I think it’s funny that they call them “reading” socks when they are just socks. But this is a marketing ploy that totally works on me because I have coveted these socks for years.
Journals and Notebooks: McNally Jackson at Rockefeller Center has an enormous array of paper products, pens, and notebooks. I dare you not to find something for your writers there! My kids and I recently came across this tiny journal with the absolute softest leather ever. It’s the perfect size to carry in your pocket and is quite pleasing to touch and hold. Most writers, I think, care a lot about how books and journals feel—their tactile identity, so to speak. My daughter plans to take hers to the park to draw portraits of passersby. I’m using mine for very short poems and observations. I’m not going to give you a link, because I think journals should be selected with love and care in person.
Writing Classes: How about giving your writer a class from one of the talented writers at Writing Co-Lab? Prices range from $45 to $495.
Ornaments: There are a million book-themed Christmas ornaments, but I recently bought this Little Women ornament for my niece and can confirm that it was very nice for the price ($18). The small transparent bulb is filled with pages from the book. It also comes in a cute pendant necklace if you don’t have a Christmas tree.
Black Turtlenecks: Is your writer really a writer if they don’t own at least one black turtleneck? A google search will reveal that there are a million black turtlenecks for sale right now; you can get one for as cheap as $15 at Target or $19 at H&M. I’m fond of J.Crew turtlenecks. They always have a variety of fabrics and styles, but make sure to wait for their frequent sales. Never pay full price!
Your very own library cart: I learned about this spiffy library book truck from Austin Kleon’s free weekly newsletter (which is excellent by the way) and immediately put it on my Christmas list. Warning: at $519, it is NOT CHEAP. But it does come in a variety of sizes and wonderful colors from yellow to orange to purple. I’m dreaming of one in purple! If you don’t want to spend so much, I bet you could find a used library cart and paint it yourself.
Reading Lights. I have not yet made the transition to reading glasses, but I do find it hard to see in darkish rooms or at night when I’m fatigued. This handy LED Neck Reading Light helps a lot. It wraps around your neck and can be adjusted to shine directly on your book. You can also adjust the brightness and light color. They are game changers for me and cost $21.99.
Boilers and kettles: If the writers in your life are anything like me, they drink a lot of tea. I always have a cup going while drafting. My husband got me this Water Boiler & Warmer for Christmas years ago, and it’s perhaps the best thing in our kitchen, because I never have to wait for water to boil when I’m on a writing streak. He paid $150 at the time, but prices have gone up a bit. I recommend paying for the insulated version because it will save you money on electricity in the long run. The downside: this item takes up counter space. If it’s too expensive or big for your kitchen, an electric kettle is another option; Alissa Fitzgerald recommended some good ones over at Food & Wine that range in price from $33 to $199.
Subscription to Literary Magazines: This is an absolute favorite gift of mine. I love giving One Story to non-writers who like to read because the cute, colorful single-story format is so digestible and unique. Others that make great gifts include: Copper Nickel, Missouri Review, BOMB, Gagosian Quarterly (an art mag with great writing & interviews), or Orion (environment/nature-focused). Note: I chose these mags because the quality of the writing is consistently superb.
DIY Writer’s Retreat: Give your writer two nights at a cute hotel or cabin in the woods to be alone and write, free from the kids, work, or the distractions of home. If your writer has kids, offer to care for them while they are on retreat. And, if you can’t afford a hotel, maybe give the the parent/writer in your life three Saturdays of free babysitting instead; you’ll take the kids off their hands for an afternoon or an entire day so they can write at home.
Books: Okay, obvious! But, indulge me! I think it’s fun to give people interesting books about weird topics like Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky or Ice by Amy Brady. For fiction lovers, I highly recommend Sad Grownups by Split Lip Magazine Flash Editor Amy Stuber or these books by Split Lip contributors: Broughtupsy by Christina Cooke and The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. How about a page-turner like Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell? Or a campus novel like Daisy Florin’s My Last Innocent Year? For those who want weird fiction: Record of a Night Too Brief by Hiromi Kawakami. Need poetry? Try Rita Mookerjee’s False Offering. And for people who like a literary bite now and then, but not a full story collection by just one author, the annual Best American Short Story or Best American Essay series are always good stocking stuffers.
Writing Space Memberships: Look for spaces in your writer’s town for them to write. In NYC, the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn and the New York Society Library on the Upper East Side both offer writing space and community. The NYSL actually has private writing rooms, in addition to communal writing spaces. Memberships are not cheap, however. Prices at the Center & NYSL range from $150 to $270.
Pie: Why? Because, if you are a writer, you can never have enough pie. If your writer isn’t a pie person, I also recommend the original Lady M cake. Someone once sent me this cake as a surprise, and let me tell you, it is holiday perfection. In fact, I want to write a story or maybe a poem about Lady M cake someday; it is that provocative to the taste buds.
Okay, that’s it! I’m all out of ideas! Happy shopping and happy holidays, friends!
