Ho, Ho, Ho!A few holiday shopping facts darlings,
Time is money.
Gasoline costs money.
People are annoying.
This year let's avoid contact with the outside world and instead shop smart, and in our pajamas. Yes. Marlena Fortune advocates pajamas and a very nice shot of espresso for the discriminating shopper as she settles in with her favorite online venue.
Can we talk?
You're a writer. Learn to streamline your life. Everything that gets you back to that manuscript is a very good thing.
Is there anyone in your life who wouldn't love opening a well decorated box, layered with colored tissue paper, to find a shiny new gift card? Enough said. If you feel you MUST personalize the card, chocolate is the perfect accessory. This year Godiva is offering free shipping on order's over $50 dollars. My favorite chocolate however, is See's.
And darlings, if you haven't had a See's Lollypop, you have not lived!
($14.70 a pound -flavors include butterscotch, chocolate, Cafe Latte, and vanilla)
It goes without saying, but I will of course mention that Seeker books are a great stocking stuffer and you can slip a Seeker book and a box of chocolate into a gift bag and Viola! you are ready to go!
If you want something very, very special for a loved one, may I suggest you get back to the keyboard, finish that manuscript, sell it in auction, get on the Times list. When your loved one opens the pages of your best-seller, they will find an acknowledgment with their name mentioned. Now that's a gift that never gets old. Oh, and if you need some reading on how much a Times bestseller makes (so you can it spend on See's Lollypops) check out this post.
Many of you have asked what to purchase for your wonderful agents and editors. No, a framed photo of yourself is not sufficient. Taking into consideration allergies, taste, moral and religious beliefs, and the trend toward green, your best bet is still a gift card.
May I suggest:
Starbucks
The Republic of Tea
For Life
Bed Bath & Beyond
Harry & David
Cafe Press has a wide range of STET gifts for editors too.
All right, shopping for the world is now completed. I'm exhausted.
Let us pause to reflect upon our shopping list and enjoy a cup of tea.
Next, is obviously the most important part of your Holiday shopping. YOU!Allow me to provide a selection of gifts to please even the most discerning writer friend and yourself. Gifts you will open (after leaving sufficient hints of course) and be able to proudly exclaim, "Oh, my! You shouldn't have!" sounding quite sincere. After all, 11 months of the year we toil away at our craft. 'Tis the Season to give and receive and graciously say thank you!
The Bubble Calendar. It's true, there is something cathartic about popping bubble wrap and now you may do just that, 365 days a year.
Isn't this just special?
Just what you need. The Hero and Heroine
Corky Board. Great place to keep those WIP sticky notes, right?
Attention: Mood Alert! For 2010 consider giving those non-writers in your life a fighting chance. Let them know just how you feel. Daily. I'm buying one of these pads for every writer on my list.
For those mystery and suspense authors. Why not just give them a dead body and be done with it? Nothing else will satisfy as well. This is the Dead Fred Pen Holder. It's a killer!
This needs no explanation. From Zazzle, an assortment of Will Write For Chocolate gifts. Everything from shirts and mugs, to bags and mouse pads. The perfect gift.
A mere $13.95 keeps all coffee and tea swilling writers happy. The Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer is a delightful idea.
Every writer needs a bank and these retro tin banks from BlueQ rock, if I, Marlena Fortune do say so.
The simple flip clock for your office from The Writers Edge. You can see it from across the room. Goose neck provides that flexibility to scream deadline at you from any angle.
The Belkin Mini Surge Protector. Perfect for travel and to keep in your laptop bag! It's also got a USB charger.
Check out the entire Jane Austen collection at the Republic of Pemberley. There is enough Austen here to keep you busy for a long time.
Finally, for those vintage writer friends, (you know the type) consider typewriter key jewelry. Go to Etsy.com do a search for typewriter keys. Here's one for $16.00 from Keys and Memories.
Remember to tweet, link-back, text, post and email all about Marlena Fortune's fabulous gift ideas and you too just might get everything on your holiday wish list and still have time left to write.
Happy Holidays from moi!
