Ally Aldridge Book Genre, Books, Personal, Tips, Writing

Gifts for writers

People say I’m hard to buy for but its codswallop! I’m passionate about my writing making gift buying a doddle… if you understand what writers want.

If you are looking for ideas to gift the writer in your life you’ve come to the right place.

Stationery

Writers can never have enough notepads, and pens. They are easy to buy for all budgets and tastes.

Under the Rowan Tree: This fabulous little indie store has a wide range of stationery. You can sign up to the subscription box (the gift that keeps giving) or buy a previous box, box of the month or a gift set taking the guess work out of what to get.

Ellen Bee Makes:  There are plenty of lovely stores on Etsy where you can buy handmade custom gifts.  Ellen’s store sells lots of crafty bits but specialise in stickers.  These are great if your writer keeps a planner, diary or needs some ‘fun’ motivation to get organised.  

Bookish

This had to make the list because writing and reading pretty much goes hand in hand.  You could buy a bookmark, book light, book thumb, book stand or book holder.

Euphemia Bloom Books:  For a truly beautiful and unique gift, check out this store for book sleeves.  These are the most stylish way to keep a book safe from getting damaged in your bag.

Amazon Gift Voucher:   With a range of options for different needs and occasions, Amazon couldn’t have made it easier to gift book money.  The voucher can be used on anything!  Or, if they have a Kindle (or the app), you can gift them Kindle Unlimited giving access to over a million books for free. 

Goodreads:  Okay, this is not a shop but if you are really smart, check out your writer’s account to discover which books are on their wish list and surprise them.   Keep receipts encase they have already been bought – book lovers have a habit of buying books… a lot.

Keep Warm

Some people think socks are boring but when I am busy writing I can lose track of time and my feet get cold.  I’m always grateful for socks.  Other great ideas are slippers and finger-less gloves to keep writers toasty.  

Zazzle:  The fuel of most writers is caffeine.  It keeps their imagination alive.  Support their creativity with a quirky writers mug or thermal flask (for writers on the go).

The Literary Tea Company:  This company has blended tea to match popular books.  They even have a collection of book inspired diffuses that can be used with any loose tea.  There is bound to be (or not to be) a tea to peak the interest of any literary fanatic. 

Self Care

Writers often cram writing into every spare minute of their day, pushing out unnecessary things like eating, sleeping and taking care of themselves.  Force your writer to stop.  Buy them an experience to get them to take a break. 

Spa Day:  Find a spa that is nearby and buy them a spa package.  Force them to relax for at least half a day.  The relaxation will rejuvenate them and they’ll return home with a whole new novel plotted out.  

Able and Cole: You can gift your writer a recipe box or one of the other organic boxes . This will encourage them to eat healthy (not just a pot noodle or toast).  There is plenty of choice from fruit, veg, fish, meat, smoothies, soups, slow cook, chocolate, hampers or the essentials.  Check you know their dietary restrictions.  

Digital Gifts

Today’s writer needs to keep up with technology.  If they publish they will be expected to market themselves and although typewriters are beautiful they are not practical.

Kindle:  This is the most popular eReader for a reason.  Many writers have the app on their phone but it’s nice to have a tablet.  If they already have one, you could look at getting them a case to keep it safe.

USB Flash Drive:  Back it up, back it up.  Many writers have learnt the hard way the importance of saving their work to multiple places.  This is a very practical gift that could protect the writer a lot of misery if their computer/laptop dies.

I hope the above ideas have helped you come up with the perfect gift but if you need more ideas please check out my posts from last year (low/big budget).

Low Budget

Gift ideas for anyone looking for non-expensive gifts. Perfect for stocking fillers, secret Santa, or ‘just because’ gifts (click image below).

High Budget

Wow! Can I be your writer friend. This is the more extravagant list with big price tag ideas for when you want to splurge (click image below).

 

World Indie Warriors Brochure

More details coming soon. This catalogue is one to look out for. It is packed full of products to buy from indie creatives and gifts writers will love.  I’ll write a post about it soon.

If you liked this post, you may also like:

More than 10 Affordable Ultimate Gifts for writers

More than 10 Extravagant Ultimate Gifts for writers

The Best Children’s Books for Christmas

What am I watching THIS CHRISTMAS!

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Ally Aldridge Books, Writing

More than 10 Extravagant Ultimate Gifts for writers

With Christmas fast approaching, I have decided to create a list of gift ideas for writers. Here you go from the extravagant to the affordable.

As my list got too long for my post <eek>, I have had to split it between two posts.  Part 1 is the more affordable gifts and part 2 are the more extravagant gifts (anything over £20).

Here it is:

Writing course

Another idea is to support the writer in developing their craft. One of the best presents my husband got me was my online writing course with Curtis Brown Creative. Courses start from RRP £200.  Click here to read my review.

Groupon is a great place to shop for bargains and often have offers on courses. This is where I got my Write Story Books for Children online course for just £30! I also got Write Romance Fiction but have not started it yet. The course are flexible and you can study wherever, whenever and take as long as you like!

You could check with your local college or library to find details about writing courses nearby.

Some people prefer a face to face learning experience. A writing retreat would make a great gift. You can buy a holiday that allows them to escape and be with other writers. The retreats often include workshops as well as an ideal environment to write. Check out Skyros Holidays.  Breaks start from RRP £90.

Another option is to buy them a mentor! The Literary Consultancy is a company that offers mentors, manuscript assessment and editing. A writer could learn so much from one of their packages.  They sell gift vouchers too!

Vintage

Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters is a place to buy high quality vintage type writers (prices start at around RRP £125). Alternatively, you can check second hand sites like eBay or Gumtree. I got mine from Facebook. Writers have a warmth for the aesthetics of these. Some writers might even use one to avoid web distractions.

You could buy them an antique writers bureau (or a new modern one). These desks look beautiful and are an ideal place to sit on your laptop working on your novel. I’ve always wanted one with the fold up lid like this RRP £350 real wood one at Cotswolds.

Green Woods Funiture in the UK uses sustainbly sourced wood to make custom bookcases.  Prices start from around RRP £250.

The Ethical Superstore sells fair trade products including furniture.  They have bookcases/shelves starting from around RRP £250.

Technology

In the digital age, no writer should be without an electronic means of writing their novel.  You could buy them a tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard, a laptop (the Microsoft Surface Pro has a pen to enable them to hand write their novel if they prefer to do so over typing) or a PC.  When buying, check out things like whether they can save to a USB device or if they will need cloud storage.

Although most agencies allow you to submit your manuscript online, there is still a need to print.  Your writer might appreciate a printer so they can take a document with them to their local writers group or to make editing easier.  I have always liked the compact shape of the Canon printers.  When buying, look for ones that allow wireless printing so your writer can print to it from anywhere in the house.

There is plenty of software to make writing easier.  You could buy them MS Word or software specifically designed for writers like Scrivener or Dabble writer.  

Comfort

I do get cold writing and I would love it if someone bought me some nice socks or a warm blanket.  These also come in handy when curling up with a good book. 

Alpaca wool is hypoallergenic yet warm like wool.  You can purchase a fair trade, luxury Alpaca Throw from TraidCraft for RRP £135. 

If you writer is vegan they won’t want a blanket made from animal hair.  How about an Organic brushed cotton Fair Trade throw from White & Green RRP £133.

Gift sets

For RRP £29.95 you can get them The Writer Box from The Little Bookish Gift Company.  The box set contains writing tools and refreshments.  

For £39.99 the Writers Hamper from The Story Gift contains a selection of goodies for a writer including writing tools, mug and coaster.  They have several other hampers to choose from including one specifically for female authors and another for fairy tales.  

How about a tote bag from Zazzle, Cafe Press, The Literary Book People, or Story Gift.  These are great reusable bags to use to carry books from the Library.  But, if you want something a little more glamourous, how about a Disaster Designs bag from Campus Gifts.  Disaster Designs have a ‘Book Club’ clutch bag RRP £35.95, a type writer bag RRP £30.95 and their Ampersand Satchel RRP £49.95.  

Thank you

I hope you found this list useful and don’t forget you can always treat yourself.  Is there anything on this list you would love?  Please let me know if there isanything I have missed out.

Thank you for reading my extravagant writers gift list.  I hope you found it useful.  If you would like more ideas, please check out my affordable writers gift list.

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Ally plus text

Ally Aldridge Uncategorized

More than 10 Affordable Ultimate Gifts for writers

With Christmas fast approaching, I have decided to create a list of gift ideas writers. Here you go from the extravagant to the affordable.

As my list got too long for my post <eek>, I have had to split it between two posts.  Part 1 is the more affordable gifts and part 2 are the more extravagant gifts.

Here it is, gifts under £20:

Writing Jewelry

The Literary Gift Company: This website is great for lovers of literature as it has a rich collection of products that is bookish or writing inspired. I love these Origami Rose Earrings for £12.99

Nabu Online: This store specializes in gifts for writers. I like the writers charm bracelet RRP £20.00. 

Writing resources

Wearth London: This store enables you to shop by your ethical values (i.e. zero waste, plastic free, vegan, etc).  I like this Write Your Own Story pencil pot RRP £16.00 which would look great on any writers desk.  In addition, you could buy reusable gift wrap – it is made from fabric and therefore can be used year after year, saving money and making zero waste.

A writer’s struggle is real, so you could buy them a notebook with a motivational quote to keep them going when times are tough.  Or a writer or bookish type quote.  There is lots of choice on Cafe Press and RRP is about £13.00.  

If you think your writer would like a more sophisticated notebook, then check out the notebooks from Beautiful Notebooks.  For example, PaperBlanks is a brand that creates  notebooks with either blank pages or have dot-grids, enabling the writer to jot anywhere on the page and add drawings.  In addition, the purchase contributes to charities and products come with a history about the design.

Support a fellow artist and the environment and buy a beautiful notebook designed by Louise Manson at Bombi Design. With unique designs her unicorn or mermaid notebooks would be an ideal git for a fantasy writer. RRP starts at £15.99.

You could buy the writer a noticeboard.  You can choose between a cork board or a magnetic board.  I prefer the magnetic boards as you can often write on these and use magnets with inspirational quotes.  These are useful for mapping out the plot, collecting ideas and character details. There is a great range on Zazzle.  Here are some examples of the magnets you could buy:

If you like giving practical gifts, how about these files by Klever Case. The files look like books and can make storing boring paperwork look much more appealing.  Or, you could fill it with writing tools like pens and notebooks and it could be a handy box to store it all (and make a fabulous useful gift).  These RRP at £18.95.

If you writer uses a laptop or tablet to write, they may like a Laptop Tray so they can write in bed or on the sofa.  Check out this one from Amazon RRP £21.89 which include a little draw for them to keep their pens or USB in.

Your writer may also really appreciate a nice USB flash drive.  How about this book shaped one RRP £7.99 from Amazon.

Book Festival tickets

There are lots of festivals running all year. You could buy them tickets to a large event that specialises in their favourite genre or a local one. Many book festivals have workshops or talks that writers will appreciate and you could get them a ticket for these. The gift could include an overnight stay. For ideas of festivals to look out for, check out my following posts:

Drinking resources

Many a writer will confess to their caffeine addiction that gets them through those drafts and edits.  So here are some mugs that really stood out to me that writers would love:

The Disappearing Cheshire Cat Mug for RRP £12.99 on The Literary Gift Company.  The Cheshire Cat only appears when their is a warm drink in the mug.  I want this mug so badly! 

You could hunt for the perfect Grammar or Punctuation mug for the writer to drink from whilst editing.  There are some funny ones about but be aware not all writers love colourful language (decide if swear words are a no go).  Check out these on Super Mug for about RRP £11.99.

The Story Gift is a brilliant site full to gifts for readers or writers (as they tend to go hand in hand).  There is a great range of choice (more mugs) and you could buy them a “Writing in Progress” coaster to go with the mug RRP £4.50.

For the Writer on the move, you might want to get them a water bottle or travel mug.  Cafe Press has a wide range of items that you can personalise and you could buy them a gift to keep their ides refreshed.

Book voucher

Amazon gift vouchers are a great option because Amazon has a wide range of books and other products. The great thing about their eCard is you can send the voucher by email, saving on post and gift wrap. Alternatively, you can have it sent to them in a physical format and one option is as a bookmark. Then they can buy the book in their preferred format (hardback, paperback, ebook, audio, etc) or something else they want. Alternatively, you could buy them a Kindle subscription so they can download books whenever they wish. Kindle Unlimited cost £7.99 per month until you end the subscription and gives access to millions of titles for free.

You could support their local book shop by buying a gift voucher for there. After all, this is where the writer is likely to do book signings and talks once published (or already does).

Reading resources

I wasn’t quite sure what to call this category but here some ideas of things your writer will love if they also love books:

Ethical Marketplace: The name of this store makes it clear that the ethics of the products is important.  They have a whole category for stationery on this site.  I was really taken by the up-cycled leather book mark/money clip for RRP £15.00.  

There is a wife range of choice for unusual Book Ends from Not On The Highstreet. I like the “Once Upon a Time” ones by British designer Heather Alstead for RRP £24.95.

well-being

Writers are constantly using their hands for their craft.  So, you could look to treat those digits with a nice hand soap, hand cream, gloves or even a manicure from a local salon.

My favourite hand soap is by Cosy Cottage Soaps.  The soaps are handmade, ethically made and no nasty ingredients.  You can even purchase them a subscription service starting at RRP £3.90.

Or, you could buy them a nourishing hand cream.  I like this quirky design by Balde En Provence in the shape of an apple.  It smells delicious.  I might try the pear one next.  RRP 12.50 EUR

Games

The Writer’s Toolbox is a game from The Literary Gift Company RRP £17.95.  The game is desgined to teach you to use the right side of your brain for being creating. 

A great buster for writers block is Rory’s StoryCubes.  The game consists of a collection of dice with different pictures.  Roll these and then write a story linking the images together.  RRP £9.99 

Thank you

With this affordable writers gift list, there is no reason why anyone should struggle to buy a writer a gift.  At these prices, you can always treat yourself.  Is there anything on this list you would love?  Please let me know ifI have missed anything out.

Thank you for reading my affordable writers gift list.  I hope you found it useful.  If you would like more ideas, please check out my extravagant writers gift list.

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