I can’t believe I’m already talking about Christmas, but here we are! 

I know, I know, it’s the middle of November, but that means Christmas is a little over a month away. And that means if you haven’t started planning Christmas gifts, you’d better start now! 

But don’t worry—I’m here to help! Whether you have a writer in the family, someone who’s interested in writing, or even if you want to treat yourself, this comprehensive writer’s Christmas list I’ve put together is sure to have the perfect gift for that special word-weaver. The best part is that there are gifts for every budget! 

Cheap Gifts for Writers (under $30)

1. Personalised notebook or journal ($15-25)

Writers will get lots of use out of these, and the personalised touch makes it really special. This option on Etsy is great because it offers lots of different designs and colours! And it’s currently 50% off. 

2. Unique writing utensils ($10-30) 

Whether it’s a quill, stylus, or simply a set of nice pens, writers are always on the lookout for great writing utensils. Why not try this Fisher Space Pen? I’ve had one since I was in middle school and I love it! It writes in just about any condition, whether underwater or upside-down—really! 

3. Writing-themed coffee mugs ($10-20) 

Let’s be real: we writers love our warm drinks, whether it be tea or coffee. Having a writer’s mug just makes it taste that much better. I’m serious! I love this one from Etsy but there are thousands of designs to choose from across the internet. 

4. Quote posters ($15-25) 

As writers, we can always use a little inspiration around our desks. Whether it’s an inspiring quote for writers or a quote from a favourite book, this is a great gift for any writer! RedBubble is a good place to search for these kinds of things; the item linked is a personal favourite of mine! 

5. Writer’s prompt cards ($10-20) 

Prompts give us that little extra boost of the imagination that we need sometimes. Here’s an actual game that utilises writing prompts and stories! You can use the cards to actually play the game or keep them for personal inspiration.

Moderately Priced Gifts for Writers ($40-70)

1. Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds ($40 -70) 

If you know a writer who often goes out to coffee shops to write, they need these for sure! They can help you stay focused even in a crowded area. These Tozo earbuds might seem too cheap to be quality, but I’ve had a set of Tozo earbuds for years, and they’ve lasted much longer than earbuds three times their price. Just read the reviews!

2. Quality writing software or apps ($50+) 

There are tons of great programs for writers out there, but many times, we won’t buy them for ourselves. Scrivener is a great piece of software that can do it all, and it has apps for iOS devices, too!

3. Lap desk ($30-70)

A lap desk is so important for when a writer is travelling, sitting outside, or just needs a break from their normal desk. Here’s a highly-rated lap desk perfect for a laptop; I just bought it myself, as I’m desperately in need of a new one!

4. Writing courses or workshops ($50+) 

While I do advocate for free learning, writing courses or workshops can be a great gift, especially if you know the writer well and are aware of what skills they’d most benefit from learning. Since writing courses and workshops are changing all the time, I recommend my resource page, where you can find my favourite writing sites that always host and/or recommend quality workshops and courses. 

5. Subscription to a literary magazine ($50+) 

For those who love discovering new short stories, consider getting a lit mag subscription! This is also a great option if your writer has been wanting to get their short stories published in a magazine because it will give them an idea of what kind of stories are published by their magazine of choice. Above is a link to a list you can choose from, or find out your author’s favourite! 

Expensive Gifts for Writers ($100+)

1. Cozy rental cabin ($100+ per night) 

Sometimes, writers just need to get away—even if we don’t like to admit it! Airbnb has some great options; you can even search “writing cabin” to find some really perfect locations for your writer.

2. Custom leather-bound book collection ($150+)

Writers are also readers. And if you buy us super special editions of our favourite books, we will love you forever. For a fantasy lover, you can’t go wrong with this collection of Brandon Sanderson’s secret projects. I’ve seen them in person, and let me tell you, they’re gorgeous.

3. Writer’s retreat or vacation ($500+) 

Writer’s retreats are great because they’re made specifically for writers and usually include lots of rest coupled with workshops and/or lessons. Here’s a list of several writer-specific retreats you can look into, but search around as well! BookRetreats.com is another great place to look. 

4. Professional editing services ($100+ depending on story length) 

Every good writer also needs a good editor. You can look no further than my services page to find an editor to partner with; I’ve worked with large publishing companies, independent presses, and individual authors to bring a well-rounded experience. If our partnership doesn’t work out, I can refer you to other places you can find a great editor!

5. Coffee or tea subscription ($~240/year) 

Remember how we writers like our warm drinks? The writer in your family will thank you non-stop for providing an endless supply! I can highly recommend a Sips by subscription for tea, as I’ve had it before and loved it. As for coffee, Trade is a good option that has lots of different kinds of coffee available! 

No Shortage of Writing Gifts!

I hope this list showed you just the right gift to get for the writer in your life. If you’re still stumped, describe your writer in the comments and I can help you figure out what gift might be best for them! Don’t forget that Black Friday is right around the corner, which means lots of sales will be cropping up over the next couple of weeks. Bookmark this post now before you forget!

Happy present buying!
—E.J.

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