Besides the normal gifts such as fancy calligraphy pens or journals or reference books, there are other gifts out there for the writer in your life. Here are some that piqued my interest while searching online.
1. A massage or day at the spa.
It might sound odd, but, hear me out: usually, writers are stressed out folk. Especially the ones doing it professionally. Make an appointment at a spa and have that writer pampered and relaxed.
2. Vintage typewriter.
For writers that like to keep it old school, why not locate an old typewriter? Whether for display or used as an actual tool, vintage typewriters can be found at places such as Etsy or E-Bay, but, can be a bit pricey. Some of the common prices for a vintage typewriter at Etsy is around $70.00.
3. Book necklace.
These very adorable and unique gifts can be found handmade by an Etsy seller on their store NewPrehistory. They are tiny books that can be worn as a necklace and have different meanings. All of them sell for $25.00 each!
4. Literary action figures.
Yup, you read that right. Give your writer the gift of a classic literary action figure, from Edgar Allan Poe to Jane Austen and even Mark Twain. Prices varies, but, they are quite affordable! Check out the entire stock here.
5. Maze pen.
This very inexpensive pen (at $2.99) can be found over at Think Geek, and instead of the usual fancy pen, this one has a mini maze with tiny metal balls to try and move throughout the maze. This is perfect for Writer’s Block or times of procrastination.
6. Scroll pen.
Okay, this pen is very cool and useful for us people who can never find a scrap piece of paper to write a reminder or note on. The barrel of the pen has a roll of tiny sheet of perforated paper, perfect to write down random thoughts, phone numbers and so forth. And the price feels just right at $35.00. Find it here!
7. Dragon Speech Recognition.
Dragon Speech Recognition uses a headset to let you talk and the software will type out what you say verbatim in a word processor. This can be a faster method for writers to write something out and then edit later, or on-the-whim ideas. Though, it is quite pricy.
8. Writing workshop/conference ticket.
A ticket to a workshop or conference related to writing is another great gift that can both be education for the writer you know, as well as helpful in networking with like-minded people. Or, your writer could even be extended a job opportunity. In a sense, it’s a gift that could keep on giving.
9. Desktop gardens.
Perhaps not the most creative, but, it can prove to be a nice accent for the writer’s desk area. This type of gift can also be handmade with a pot, some dirt and a packet of seeds. If you want to get a bit more creative, try investing in a Bonsai tree to give.
10. Unique bookshelves.
Writers are notorious for their extensive book collection, which is usually tucked neatly together in a regular looking bookshelf. How about helping them spice up that area with unique designs, such as these cube shelves from Target or the Hidden Bookshelf from Think Geek?
There you have it, ten unique and creative gifts for the writer in your life without settling for the usual gifts. Just to help you out even more, here are some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list but are pretty neat gifts regardless:
– Cleaning Putty at Think Geek. Much like the putty in the egg at stores, you smooth this over your electronics and all of the grime from excessive use will be peeled away. Check it out here!
– DIY “Writers Gift Baskets”. I have seen this at Publishing Game, it is a collection of essentials for writers: gourmet coffee, coffee mug, a few how-to books and other little inexpensive gifts all wrapped up nicely. The same thing can be done on your own budget, as well.
– Gourmet Coffee. Or, you can completely nix the gift basket idea and just get the writer a whole bunch of gourmet coffee, or, a sampler gift set of different flavors.
