10 Thoughtful Gifts For The Writer In Your Life

Give a Gift That Inspires Creativity

If you’re shopping specifically for a writer this holiday season, why not give a gift that helps them hone their craft? While it may seem cliché to give a writer more books or a box of sharpened pencils, these tools are actually thoughtful. And speaking as writers ourselves, we promise they will get used! For aspiring authors and poets alike, here are our favorite meaningful writing gifts.

Don’t forget to check out our very favorite sustainable gifts for this year (and gifts for him, too).

1. Books on Writing

It’s often said that the best writers are also avid readers, which is why we love giving a thick stack of books to our writing friends for the holidays. In addition to novels and memoirs, books are on writing are perfect for learning and cultivating one’s craft. Try Kathryn Aalto’s Writing Wild ($24.95), Courtney Maum’s Before & After the Book Deal ($16.95), bell hook’s Wounds of Passion ($23), and Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird ($16). Head here for more of The Good Trade’s favorite books for writers.

Shop | $16+

2. Wordsmith Deck | BestSelf

We love this deck of 150 writing prompts about life, self, education, world, relationships, and more for overcoming writer’s block. Best of all, BestSelf donates one meal to Feeding America for every order. A perfect gift for newbie writers and veterans alike.

Shop | $24.99

3. Hasami Mug | KANSO

Every writer needs a mug for coffee or tea, and we love the handmade porcelain/clay mug designed by Taku Shinomoto. It’s dishwasher and microwave safe and comes in three sizes: 11, 13, and 15 oz. Support a small business this holiday season by shopping Hasami products at one of our favorite Kansas City stores, KANSO. They offer international shipping!

Shop | $24+

4. Secondhand Scrabble Board

Keeping with the vintage theme, consider a secondhand scrabble board for the wordsmith in your life, like the ones from Etsy shop CoTamCo. This gift is both affordable and sustainable, and it’s perfect for expanding one’s personal dictionary.

Shop | $10+

4. Pastel Notebooks | The Lavendaire Shop

Notebooks are a necessary item in writers’ arsenals for rambling thoughts and stories that fall from the sky. Lavendaire’s softcover notebooks come with lined, blank, or dotted pages—which are 120gsm FSC-certified recycled paper and printed with food grade inks. The company also gives back to organizations like Pencils of Promise, Feeding America, Boys & Girls Club of America, and United Way LA County Pandemic Relief Fund.

Shop | $45 (Set of 4)

5. Computer Glasses | Peep Eyewear

Writers in 2020 need a good pair of computer glasses to protect their eyes from blue light, and we love the upcycled vintage frames from UK-based brand Peep Eyewear. Simply select your favorite frames, then add the blue control lens. For every pair of glasses sold, the brand also plants a tree.

Shop | £48+ (frames), £78 (lens)

7. Sprout’s Plantable Pencils | Package Free

Pencils are necessary for editing hard copy drafts, and we love that Sprout pencils are a zero-waste alternative to traditional no 2s. At the end of its life, this pencil can be planted in soil to grow herbs and flowers. It’s also 100% compostable, and the box is recyclable paper.

Shop | $17/8 pack

8. Online Writing Classes | MasterClass

As a bunch of writers, we can attest that we’re always learning and crave opportunities to hone our craft. That’s why we love MasterClass, an online platform with writing classes for world-renowned authors, screenplays, memoirists, and more. You can gift an annual membership, which includes access to all classes—for writers, we recommend Margaret Atwood or Shonda Rhimes.

Shop | $180/year ($15/month)

9. Vintage Typewriter

For a truly memorable and unique gift, consider a vintage typewriter for the aspiring author in your life. Secondhand shops like Etsy have a large selection of this special writing tool—we specifically love this Vintage Blue Secretary sourced and sold by Crimson Canary Vintage ($140).

Shop | Varies

10. Writing Retreat

If you want to go all out, why not gift a writing retreat? It doesn’t have to be with an organization, either! With an Airbnb gift card, your loved one can create a personal writing retreat that works with their schedule. Whether they love the coast, the woods, or big cities, they can retreat to the place that inspires their writing most.