Cool Christmas Gifts for Readers and Writers

Missy Tippens

Every year or so we've shared some gifts for writers around Christmas time. I thought it would be fun to do that again this year. Tippens kids, if you’re reading this, well, I hope you get some good ideas! :)

I thought I’d start with the more practical and head toward the…not so practical (to put it mildly!). I'm including links but not all photos. So please don't get distracted by shopping and forget to come back. :) (By the way, I don't get any kickback if you purchase these items. I'm just sharing for fun.)

A year or two ago, my sister-in-law got me of these literary inspired candles. Very nice gift!

And of course, we all love fun mugs. There are so many good ones!

Here's a Zazzle site that has a lot of mugs.

And this one cracked me up: 

photo from LaTazas & MAUAG Funny Mug Gifts. (Link above)

Another cute one! Talks about a writer being a person who can convert caffeine into books. :)

I really loved these tea towels made of fabric that looks like writing paper! She’s sold out for now but I’m hoping she’ll have more soon. Oh! I just found another store that has one. So you can try here as well.

Definitely in the land of the practical: a gift card to play at your favorite office supply store! Yes, I know you writers understand what I mean by playing. Is going to buy pens and printer paper a chore??? NO. A visit to the office supply store is FUN! ;)

And for readers and writers, a gift card to your favorite bookstore is always appreciated!

Of course, among the practical category, are gift subscriptions and memberships. How about subscriptions to:

--Audible.com so you can listen to stories.

--Magazines for writers like Writer’s Digest or Publisher’s Weekly.

--Netflix or Hulu type subscriptions so you can study movies! That’s one of my favorite ways to internalize story structure.

--Or for a different type of inspiration, how about membership to a botanical garden nearby. We joined the Atlanta Botanical Garden this year and have really enjoyed it. You could also buy an annual pass to local State Parks or National Parks.

Along those same lines, consider asking for season tickets to your favorite music or theater venue. For several years, I’ve bought a 4-concert season ticket package to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. And just this year we bought season tickets to one of our local theaters, AuroraTheater. I find inspiration in any of the arts and imagine you would too! Plus, we’re supporting fellow creative folks.

Some of you may work on the couch or in a room that's not strictly an office. Pam Hillman was talking about this recently for moving her research books and supplies. Rolling carts can be one way to move your office around and then to store everything away when company comes! 

Does your laptop heat up when you work on your lap? Try a laptop cooling pad. Here's a list of popular ones.

Now, moving into the more unusual gift category. A lot of these are created and sold by individuals or through Etsy and places like that. I like supporting small businesses that way.

Here’s one I found that I love. Sticky notes for your to-do list. I can imagine it stuck onto a keyboard or on a monitor.

Lithographs. I love this scarf made from Little Women!

photo from Lithographs.com. (Link above)

This could be great fun for readers as well as writers: A 100 Essential Books scratch off chart! 

Typewriter Coasters: An old-fashioned typewriter holds a set of coasters. I always have a drink near me as I work, so I love coasters. One of my friends bought me a wonderful set of quilted coasters last Christmas. She said she thought of me as soon as she saw them. (Thank you, Beth!) You might be able to find something similar.

Okay, I found more mugs I like! First Lines coffee mug that has great first lines from multiple novels.

And this one made me laugh out loud: Quitter coffee mug (Bookmark? You mean quitter strip?!) LOL

Photo: MGAPDX store on Etsy (link above)

And one last mug that says: Pray, Write, Repeat.

Here's a keychain that’ll remind you to write. 

A light up pen to catch ideas that hit you during the night. 

Here's another one that made me smile. A Proof Read clock.

Photo from 3dRose on Amazon (link above)

Need a fun way to brainstorm and keep track of details and like to work on paper? You could use this gift set with it's included booklets for characters and locations and scene ideas.

There are a gazillion journals out there, and I'm sure many of you collect them and use them. I thought this one was nice because it is a Writing Prompt journal.

Now to some fun items. I love jewelry, and there are some really great pieces of jewelry for writers and readers. You just have to do a search and will come up with many. Here are a few I loved:

Quotation Mark earrings. 

Library card and stamp pins 

And this beautiful Mystery Writers Charm Bracelet. 

Photo: PattieTierney Store on Etsy (link above)

Old-fashioned typewriter key jewelry is also a favorite--like this necklace.

Here's a place to order Bookplates. 

For fun, a Shakespeare tea bag set.

Famous writers bookmarks.

And finally, one of the crazier gifts. Here's some hard core decorating for book lovers. A duvet cover that looks like a set of books! They also have a shower curtain to match. :) Who needs to go to the library when you have giant books all around your home?! :)

I hope you've had a little fun with this post and maybe even found some shopping ideas. You can also send your friends and family members here for ideas.

Photo: Dirtsastudio store on Etsy (link below)

GIVEAWAY! As long as the site doesn't sell out, I'll be giving away one of the notebook paper tea towels. (If it sells out, I'll find something similar or do an Etsy gift card.) Please let me know in the comments if you'd like to be entered.

I'd also love to hear what your dream gifts are for Christmas!

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After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Romance Writers of America RITA^® Award. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.