As a middle-finger to the gift-guide snark, I've written my own
Nine gifts for the writers in your life
In certain corners of the internet, gift guides are being sneered at, and I don’t get it. So, as a response to not understanding, why people sneer at things that are completely harmless and easy to avoid if you’re not interested in them, I’ve written my own.
To be clear, I’m not advocating for rampant consumerism, BUT most of us are going to be buying and receiving gifts at this time of year and I would much prefer to buy and receive gifts that are wanted, will be used, and that take into consideration the interests of the recipient.
Give me a well put together, themed and thoughtful gift guide, that features some indie brands and takes into account the differing sizes of our bank balances, over endless Google searches, relentless scrolling, and panicked purchases any day.
So, if you’re buying for a writer, here are my nine gift picks that might make her/ him/ them feel like you’ve been paying attention after all 😉
It should go without saying that if you want to passive-aggressively share this to places where your family might see it, I heartily endorse this action…
A scented candle
Writers often have little rituals or routines to put them in the right mental space for writing - lighting a candle is a common one. They might rarely treat themselves to a luxury candle for this purpose, so this is your chance.
My pick is this ONE PROJECTS candle, £24.99 from Forest London. My preferred scent is Palo Santo - the cedar is especially sharp and reminds me of waking up in a house under the Coastal Redwoods of San Francisco last summer - but others are available.
Some swear-y knitwear
Writers love words, and I will die on the hill that swear words are just words… My husband doesn’t agree though and I’ve been scolded more than once for wearing the sweatshirt version of this jumper (purchased a couple of years ago) to my children’s school. I’ve never intended to shock but each time I happened to be wearing it when I dashed out of the house, running late as always, and look, no one’s even noticed, ok?
This is the most Christmassy colour-way of this jumper of dreams but founder, Stacey, has outdone herself this year with the options available in both colours and other stunning (non-sweary) products. If I sound like a super-fan, it’s because I am.
My pick: Do No Harm Take No Shit merino jumper, £175, so a LUXURY treat. Don’t snooze on the rest of her products, prices start around £5, visit blackandbeech.com
Good socks
Knowing my audience as I do I suspect this will be controversial. A terrifying number of you allegedly don’t wear socks at all. Not even in winter. WTF.
Others amongst you might be reassured to hear that I have rules and systems around socks.
Absolutely no problem with socks here, you’re in safe hands…
You might be wondering why this is a gift for writers, but IMO, good socks are an elite level gift for EVERYONE. Also, comfort and warmth are paramount if I’m going to be parked at my laptop for hours at a time 🤷🏻♀️
Please note I said GOOD socks, which means the ones they won’t buy for themselves, not the supermarket multipack. Proceed with caution though as the ‘if in doubt, go luxury’ rule you can apply to candles can be a trap when it comes to socks. Cashmere socks, for example, are delicious but ask yourself, would you be giving her a gift, or a job, because those beautiful fuckers have to be hand-washed?
My pick is BAM bamboo socks, £19.50 for 4. Soft, warm but not sweaty, that are not too tight and not too loose and don’t have bobbly toe seams. I don’t mess around when it comes to socks.
A writing craft book
To you this says ‘homework’; to them this says, ‘I see you taking your craft seriously and I want to support you.’
My pick is REVERSE ENGINEERING, £9.99. Not a new title but I hear it’s a good one. Confession: I haven’t read it yet but I LOVE the idea of hearing writers unpack the decision-making process behind their short-stories.
Book tokens
You think, SNORE. They think, FREE BOOKS!
My pick is National Book Tokens. You can buy them online, choose the design you think they’ll like, and they can be used at your local indie bookshop, online pretty much anywhere, or at Bookshop.org. £10 is enough for a paperback; hardbacks retail around £20; cookbooks & coffee table books are more, just saying.
A laptop stand
This is legit one of the best gifts my husband has ever bought me and his reason for buying it was, ‘If you’re going to be spending all your spare time hunched over your laptop writing, I’m worried for your neck.’ 🥰
Now I’ve typed it, it sounds sarcastic, I promise it was very touching and made me feel very cared for and like he was taking my dream of writing a book seriously.
My pick: Twelve South Curve, £49.98 (which is the one my husband bought for me 😊)
Stationery
Pens, pencils, notebooks - I am yet to meet a writer who doesn’t LOVE stationery.
My pick is pretty much anything from The Stationer. I’m like a kid in a sweet shop every time I visit her website.
A limited edition, or sprayed edge copy of a book by her fave author, or of her fave book.
You might be thinking, they already have a copy, why would they want another? But I’m telling you, a special edition or sprayed edge copy of their favourite book? 🤌🏻
My pick… soz, can’t help you, if you don’t already know their fave book or writer it’s time to do some detective work 🕵🏻♀️ You could ask (a bit obvious, if you ask me) or you could take a look at their shelves and see which author they have multiple books by.
A Mslexia subscription
The Uk’s best-selling magazine for women who write, Mslexia is a beautiful publication that I look forward to receiving each quarter.
A bit like the writing craft book, this gift says, ‘I’m paying attention’ and is the gift that keeps giving as she’ll receive reminders of your largesse four times in a year 😉
My pick: the print and digital edition, £34.75 for one year only, £24.75 if you set it up as reoccurring.
🎄Happy Christmas shopping, if that’s even a thing, oh well, I’ve said it now✌🏼
Love this list!
I AM WEARING BAM SOCKS RIGHT NOW!