Fun and useful Christmas gifts for writers

Picking out Christmas gifts for writers can be tricky. After all, it’s not possible to pop a literary agent or massive book deal under the tree. Luckily, there are lots of other brilliant ideas for making the writer in your life feel special over the holidays. Here are a few of our favourites.

Books about writing

Even the most experienced writers sometimes need a little boost and that’s when books about harnessing creativity or examining the writing process are perfect. We’ve gathered together a few great suggestions in our writing about writing book list. I can also guarantee that if you walk into your local bookshop and ask what the staff recommend, they’ll be able to pick out something inspiring for you.

Books about everything else

If there’s one thing that we believe makes a good writer, it’s being a good reader. The more books you read, the more opportunities you have to learn about craft, storytelling and simply writing something engaging. That’s why books of all shapes and sizes are perfect gifts for writers. Not sure what they have on their bookshelves? Then a book token is a nice shout.

Or you could hook them up with one of our new adult book subscriptions(this link will open in a new window), where they’ll enjoy curated picks in the post.

Notebooks and pens

A nice notebook or a lovely pen can be the perfect gift for a writer – or it can be a real dud! So, for this one, you need to do a little bit of reconnaissance first. Some writers love to experiment with new types of paper and have a ‘more the better’ mindset when it comes to pens. Others are a little on the particular side and will only use specific brands, meaning your gorgeous choices may go to waste. So be sure to ask a few discreet questions or keep an eye on their book bag before making any big purchases here.

That said, we do think our new line of notebooks(this link will open in a new window) is pretty nifty, and our Writers Change Lives one might be just the confidence boost needed.

Digital writing tools

Then there are the writers who prefer to keep it all digital! In which case, a subscription to a tool or app they’d like to try might be a nice idea. Apps like Scrivener and Storyist offer alternative ways to organise or format long-form writing while Novelize is a fun option specifically for web-based novel writing. For those who like things online but also enjoy the aesthetic qualities of handwriting, there’s the beautiful and flexible Noteshelf(this link will open in a new window).

Other writing accessories

If you’re not sure about notebooks, pens or apps, then happily there are a lot of other fun tools to consider. From writing flashcards designed to offer a little burst of inspiration when you’re stuck to cute desk toys (you'll find a great range from our friends at The Literary Gift Company(this link will open in a new window)) there's something to suit every set up. Some writers like to use the Pomodoro technique or to write in sprints that last a certain amount of time and a little hourglass or timer can be a nice analogue option. Libraries & Archives has some gorgeous hourglasses(this link will open in a new window) to choose from.

A writing retreat

These can range from the extra special, full-blown week away in gorgeous surroundings (check out our list of writing retreats in Scotland for inspiration), to the more modest, DIY few nights in a rental or cheap hotel. If time is short and a break away from home isn’t practical, then why not pick up vouchers for your writer’s favourite café and tell them to book their own ‘mini retreats’ whenever they need a little dedicated time (and caffeine and perhaps a cake).

A good bag

Writers often have a lot of paraphernalia to carry around with them, especially when heading off to a retreat or a day at the library, so another handy gift for any writer or book lover is a fun and functional tote bag(this link will open in a new window), perfect for carting around research, laptops or books.

Writing fuel (and a mug to put it in)

There's something about the routine of sticking the kettle on or brewing a coffee that adds to the writing routine nicely. Whether your writing pal likes rocket-fuel-level coffee to get their day started or they prefer some herbal vibes for a chilled-out writing session, there's a good chance they'll appreciate a winter stockpile. Bundle with a drinking vessel, such as one of our bookish mugs(this link will open in a new window), for a cute Christmas combo.