Our first gift this year is the adorable “Snow Bear” mascot by the generous and talented Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Give her a follow on Instagram @tatjanamaiwyss for a daily dose of happy! You can also find her art on Etsy.
Speaking of Etsy, that’s where our initial group of gifts can be found. Etsy offers a variety of unique treasures for a superstar scribe. Here are a few examples…
This is a handsome, protective and useful phone case. There are several Etsy artisans offering similar ones—you can pick a favorite—although I’m sold on the vintage book design.
If you like to bake, then these are for you! Fahgettaboud gingerbread men! Your favorite writer wants to bite into Emily Dickinson!
Alternatively, give these to your writer-baker friend and they’ll gift you right back with a set of Shakespeare sugar cookies. (I see two sprinkles making a fine mustache.)
Bonus: this scarf goes with any sweater hue!
Genius! Decals! You don’t need to hire a painter!
Beautiful keepsake journals in every jewel color of the rainbow.
I had never seen this before, but serendipity had me stumble over these games of yore. The first is from thee 1920’s and the second is the 1943 “Salem Edition.”
I love games of all kinds. Maybe your friend the children’s writer does, too. After all, we’re just overgrown kids.
MoMA “Writer’s Block” Jumping Game
Based on the perennial waiting-for-our-food-at-the-diner game, this version features colorful pencils to lighten the writer’s blocked mood.
Invented by a writing professor, this card game offers character traits, situations and motivations even your most daringly creative friend never thought of shoving into one story.
Pick some cards and then steer the story your way!
Modcloth is one of my favorite places to shop for quirky clothes. They are equally offbeat with their accessories!
It looks like it carries pencils, but it carries stuff to buy pencils.
How I needed these when writing THE UPPER CASE! (Not because I was cursing while creating it, but because these characters make cameos!)
OK, so maybe your writer friend wants to do some actual writing!
Bright and smooth for fanciful journaling.
Delde Sliding, Standing Pen Pouch
I stole this idea from Heidi Stemple! This case is amazing…you unzip, pull down on the side handles, and all your writing implements are there for the grabbing! Indispensable for book signings!
Writes like paper, saves like a computer!
Watch the demo of this simple, straightforward method of connecting ideas visually. Scapple is helpful writer’s tool from the folks at Literature & Latte who brought you Scrivener.
While your writerly pal is doing their thing, they could use a thing to ensure their comfort. (If they’re cozy, they will keep that B.I.C.!)
Happy heat for happy feet!
Hot tea! Hot coffee! Hot cocoa! YES, PLEASE!
Secret Garden Sherpa Fleece Blanket
Other blankets available; I just loved the birdie!
I know some fashionistas say that adults should not wear cartoon merch. You know what I say to that? See this gift.
Panda Fleece-Lined Slipper Socks
Cute AND cozy—the perfect combination!
Your writer, while feeling cozy, will also get hungry. To stop hangry from spilling onto the page, consider these snacks.
I ordered these for my daughter’s birthday and I can say MMMMRFFFFUMMFF!
(That’s “yummy” while my mouth is full.)
Based on popular street food from India, this is a bag of spice and crunch. I usually opt for the mild, but the hot variety isn’t too hot!
Each month they ship a book, coffee/tea and chocolate. The gift that keeps you eating and reading!
As I often tell students, to be a good writer, you have to be a good reader.
Women of Letters Scratch-Off Chart
As you read, scratch off the title to reveal the woman behind it all!
Here’s how it works…you nail it into your wall and place your books atop! Voila!
“Here I come to save the page!”
Have a clever burn within reach.
Once your writer has a book published, they need a way to display it!
I first discovered these hand-made, sturdy stands at my local indie, The Bookworm in Bernardsville, NJ. I ordered a set of 6 for myself and they are the hit of every book festival! They hold about 5-6 picture books, titled upward for optimal viewing as crowds stroll by. There’s even a space on the front of the stand to place a small sign.
The wooden dowels are removable, which makes packing them up and transporting them easy. They have different sizes for various kinds of books. Best career purchase I ever made!
One last gift, this one for writers to give the non-writers in their life.
With StoryWorth, you encourage family and close friends to share stories you haven’t heard before, then they’re collected and bound into a book. That’s a monumental memento! I wish this was around when my grandparents were still here!
I hope you enjoyed these gift suggestions!
Share the love and share your own picks in the comments!
Happy Holidays!
25 comments
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December 4, 2020 at 8:07 am
Lauri Fortino
I always enjoy these posts; thanks Tara!
December 4, 2020 at 8:13 am
Mitchell Linda
LOOOOOOOVE!
December 4, 2020 at 8:40 am
Daryl Gottier
Love this and look forward to it each year! Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
December 4, 2020 at 8:51 am
faygie1
These are fantastic, but that snowman … LOVE! Have a great weekend everyone!
December 4, 2020 at 8:58 am
kirabigwood
So fun. My grandma had the Authors game, and we used to love playing! Not sure which edition it was…going to have to call my mom and see if it’s still hanging around somewhere.
Hope you have a great holiday, Tara!
December 4, 2020 at 9:04 am
Becky Ross Michael
Happy holidays! These are great and so much fun to look. I hate to admit that I think I remember that old card game of authors…
December 4, 2020 at 9:26 am
kimpfenn
I look forward to this post every year and once again, Tara, you’ve knocked it out of the park! Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays to you and yours! ❤️💜
December 4, 2020 at 9:27 am
Leigh DeFreitas
What wonderful literary gifts! So unique and JUST RIGHT for writers and illustrators. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
December 4, 2020 at 10:11 am
Johnell
Brilliant! Thank you for this awesome list. Happy Holidays.
December 4, 2020 at 10:30 am
Virginia L Manning
Lots of fun ideas! Happy Holidays, Tara!!!
December 4, 2020 at 10:48 am
bookthreader
This is a fun list!
December 4, 2020 at 10:49 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Wow – what fun! Every school should have those book spine decals running up every set of stairs!
December 4, 2020 at 12:21 pm
stiefelchana
Love these! Thanks Tara! Brilliant! Happy Hanukkah! ~Chana
December 4, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Nice mix of new trendy stuff and tried-and-true, always appreciated favorites! TY
December 4, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Rebecca Guzinski
Tara, your posts are fabulous and always bring a smile to my face. 🙂
December 4, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Sarah Meade
These are wonderful!! Thank you for sharing this list of quirky, cozy, cute, and useful gifts.
December 4, 2020 at 7:23 pm
kathydoherty1
These are delightful!
December 4, 2020 at 8:42 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Happy holidays to you!
December 5, 2020 at 12:00 pm
ptnozell
What fun, Tara! Happy holidays!
December 6, 2020 at 2:32 pm
SuZan Klassen
Thank you for these ideas. Fun!
December 6, 2020 at 9:03 pm
Joanne Roberts
always a treat
December 8, 2020 at 3:03 pm
aliciaminor
Thanks tara. It is more blessed to give than to receive and these gift ideas will truly bless the giver and the receiver too. Merry Christmas and the bst of 2021 to you and your family and story storm boggers.
December 9, 2020 at 12:17 am
Angie
Those are fun gift ideas! Thanks so much, Tara! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Lauri Meyers
Always my favorite post of the year- and year after year you keep finding new things!
January 1, 2021 at 11:13 pm
Ashley Bray
Less friction indeed! Here we go 2021!!!