Creative Gift-Giving Ideas and Tips for Writers

As Christmas approaches (it's only days away now), you may be looking for last-minute gifts to give to your friends and family. Or perhaps you're looking for that perfect present to give to a fellow writer in your life.

You certainly don't want to be that person stuck in the shopping center parking lot on Christmas Eve. (Don't ask me, or I'll tell you that story. Not a fun one!) There are plenty of easy and creative presents you can give to that special person that don't involve shopping haggardly or running around town at the last minute. In fact, many of these ideas simply involve putting your creative mind to good use--perhaps while still wearing your pajamas!

If you want to share your writing as a gift, consider these ideas:

1) Give your book.

If you're a published author, gift your book to someone in your life who might enjoy it. Make it a complete gift by adding a bookmark and a fuzzy blanket or coffee mug. If you're aren't "officially" published yet or if you want to create something new for the holidays, bind a collection of devotionals, family stories, short stories, or poems to give to family or friends. (You can have a local print shop print it and bind it, or  to make it even easier simply print it out at home and put it in a pretty folder.)

2) Help a child create a picture book. 

Do you have a young child, grandchild, other relative, or child of a friend in your life? Help him or her create a Christmas story and then illustrate it. Some ideas for the book: the story of a Christmas character; an autobiographical story of something the child loves about Christmas; the story of an animal at Christmastime. This is a great way to encourage writing, and is also a wonderful, sentimental gift to present to others. (If you're also an artist, you can help the child illustrate the story as well.)

3) Write and post an inspirational thought everyday before Christmas. 

In this last week before Christmas, gift your friends and followers on social media (perfect for Facebook or Instagram, or for your blog if you have one) with a brief post about what Christmas means to you. While this isn't a wrapped gift you give in person, it will be appreciated by your long-distance and online

friends.

4) Tell and share a family story. 

Several years ago, I interviewed my husband's grandmother about her early life and marriage, then I wrote the stories and bound them in a small album with recipes and photographs. There are many ways you can do something similarly; gather stories about your family's favorite holiday recipes or traditions, write about your early Christmas memories, interview family members about their favorite memories or gifts, put together a chronological history of certain events (not just holidays) from your family's life.

5) Write a letter to someone you love. 

The art and practice of letter writing has all but disappeared in recent years, but there's still something extremely special about receiving a letter from someone you love. This Christmas, write a letter expressing your gratitude and love to a special family member of friend. Write it in your own handwriting on pretty paper and in an envelope, then mail it or--even better--hand deliver it.

If you have a friend who is a fellow writer or maybe you exchange gifts with members of your local writing group, there are some fun, easy ideas that the writer in your life will appreciate. (Some may involve braving the crowds one more time, but many you can order online or create yourself.)

1) Books on writing.

You can't go wrong with a book on writing; writers love to read about the writing process and life, and there are so many wonderful options out there. Check out this article on the 12 best books author Jerry Jenkins has ever read. (If your recipient loves to read on her Kindle or other device, consider this SCWC ebook Day by Day: 40 Devotionals for Writers and Creative Types or Just Write: 101 Creative Exercises to Jumpstart your Writing). 

2) Notebooks and journals.

Writers love notebooks and journals (I know that I do!). Gift the writer in your life with a notebook or journal for them to write down their ideas or craft their stories. There are multiple options available--from cute ones from your local dollar store to beautiful leather ones you can find online.

3) Pens and other office supplies.

Put together a bag full of fun and essential office supplies. From pens and paper clips to post-it notes and planners, the options are endless.

4) A cozy blanket, mug with coffee (or tea) and a favorite book.

Writer are also invariably readers, so go to the next level and put together a basket or bag that your book-loving writer friend will love. Some ideas for items to include: a favorite book with a cozy blanket, mug with coffee (or tea), candle, bubble bath, or favorite chocolate candies.

5) Gift card to a writing conference, writing event, or other resource.

Don't know exactly what to give, but you want to present a practical and enjoyable gift that will encourage more writing in your friend's life? Nothing beats a gift card for a writing resource. Better yet, give them a gift card that they can put to the writing retreat or conference they've always wanted to attend.

Gift certificates are available from the Southern Christian Writers Conference in $25 intervals that can go toward any SCWC events, including the upcoming 2024 annual SCWC event in June (the full cost for the event is $125). The gift certificates can also be used for regional workshops, virtual workshops, monthly book boxes, and online writing classes. Gift certificates are presented as a printable PDF that can be presented to your writing friend. (Email scwritersconference@gmail.com to order by Christmas.) 

6) A compliment, review, or promotion of their work.

One of the best gifts you can give to a writer is affirmation of their books and other projects. Write a 5-star review of their book, share and promote their work to your own friends and colleagues, or simply compliment your friend on their writing.

A kind word goes a long way!

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Merry Christmas from all of us at the Southern Christian Writers Conference. We pray that your season is joy-filled and that it is immersed in the love Christ has for you. (And that--just maybe--you get a good gift geared toward your writing life.)