Writers are not hard to buy for. I promise you, they are probably the easiest group of people (aside from kids – why do I have twenty things I want to buy the five-year-old but can’t think of a single thing to buy my Dad?) to shop for.
Why?
Easy. We love stories. Anything that comes in story form is perfect for us.
You can’t go wrong with books. Take a few minutes to peruse your writer’s bookshelf (or shelves) to get an idea of what genres they read. Or ask them what they’re writing about these days. Either buy books that are in similar genres, or buy books about on the subject of their novels. Writers love to learn, and research is an important part of writing. Even if your writer doesn’t read it right away, he or she will lovingly add it to his or her bookshelf.
Movies can be a little more risky, but since they are also stories, this is another good purchase. Ask them what their favorite movie was this year. Ask them what their favorite movie was in high school, or growing up. If you see a movie that reminds you of your writing friend or family member, get it for them.
TV box sets are another solid choice for writers. Every writer is different, but shows from Joss Whedon, anything on the movie channels (Dexter, Mad Men, Breaking Bad), or popular BBC shows (Doctor Who, Sherlock) are usually safe bets. Or even just a subscription to Netflix would be good, if they don’t already have one.
Magazines, if they are writer-related or something that piques the mind like National Geographic or Science Magazine. Interesting articles or gorgeous photos can spark story ideas.
Non-story related gift ideas:
Anything from Think Geek. Geeky T-shirts are a big hit, especially when they reference TV shows or movies we love.
Anything related to the craft of writing. Stuff like journals or really nice pens. Moleskine is a really excellent brand for journals. Check your writer’s desk for favorite type of pen (they’ll probably have a bunch). Books about craft by well-known authors are good, as well, although make sure your writer doesn’t already have a copy.
Anything food/beverage related. Find out what things your writers consume to help along their process. What do they like to snack on? Do they drink lots of tea or coffee? Or do they prefer alcohol? Wine? Whiskey? A bottle of their favorite beverage can be an excellent gift. Or copious amounts of their favorite writing snack.
Just keep in mind that writers are people, too; they are not some exotic creature that should be difficult to buy for. They should be the easiest person on your list. Like I said at first, you really can’t go wrong with a good book. Books are our favorite things. That’s why we write them.
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