If you need gift ideas for writers, the See Jane Write Gift Guide is here to help.
Whether you’re shopping for a writer on your list or looking for ideas for yourself to send to your Santa Baby, the See Jane Write Gift Guide will get you inspired.
For this year’s gift guide, we turned to Charlene J. Lindsay of Shine by Charlene. for help.
Charlene is the creative mind behind the self-discovery and self-love journal gift boxes that See Jane Write released in 2021 and earlier this year. She’s a pro at giving great gifts and hosting fabulous parties.
How to Give Great Gifts to Writers
“Chances are most writers wouldn’t mind another journal or nice pens, but writing is deeper and so much more than that,” Charlene says. “So I recommend creating a gift that’s deeper, too. You can do that by focusing on their why and what inspires their writing. So instead of gifting to the ‘writer,’ gift to the advocate, the expert, the learner, the dreamer, or whatever passion fuels the words they write.”
Most writers love to read but it can be tough picking out the right book for the writer in your life. Charlene has ideas for that too.
“For writers who love to read, it can be hard to find a book they’d love that they haven’t read or don’t already own,” she says. “So I’d suggest choosing a book that isn’t necessarily meant to be a page-turner. Gift a book for reference or for inspiration. Give a coffee table book about a place they love or a person they admire. Gift a quote or speech book by or someone who inspires them.”
If you decide to stick with the basics and gift a journal or a nice set of pens, Charlene says you can take this up a notch too.
“To be honest, just about anyone can use a nice journal and pen, but to make the gift extra special, add things to create an experience around writing,” she recommends. “Add tea, a candle, a shower bomb, or even a nice blanket and picnic basket (bonus if you include their favorite snacks) for them to take their writing time outside. So many possibilities!”
7 Gift Ideas for Writers
Journal Gift Box
Remember, if you want to gift a journal to the writer in your life, find a way to move beyond basic. One of our journal gift boxes can help you do that. Our self-love journal gift box includes a journal, a sensual candle and 30 prompts designed to help your self-love soar. Our self-discovery journal gift box includes a journal, loose-leaf tea and 30 prompts designed to help you dream again and reconnect with your deepest desires.
Books
My book Find Your Way Back: How to Write Your Way Through Anything is a collection of essays that demonstrate how I’ve used writing to cope with everything life has thrown my way. And in the book, you’ll also find writing prompts to help you do the same.
As Charlene mentioned before, you could also gift coffee table books, quote books or speech collections.
“If they post a lot of their writing online, have a book of their writing pieces made,” Charlene suggests.
Framed Prints
Have one of your friend’s poems or a passage of prose framed. Or you could make a framed print of a well-known passage by her favorite author.
Charitable Donations
“Many writers I know write about causes they are passionate about,” Charlene says. “Consider contributing time or money to those causes as your gift. The writer in your life knows their words and their work matter, and that’s a beautiful gift.”
Writing Course
If your writing bestie is ready to take her skills to the next level, consider gifting a writing class or digital course. If your friend is interested in writing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications, check out my course See Jane Freelance. Now through Monday, November 28, you can get the course at half price by using the code BLKFRI.
Writing Retreat
Gifting a writing retreat to your friend is a great way to help your gal pal prioritize her creativity and her self-care. My favorite writing retreat is the Busy Bee Writing Retreat for women. The next retreat is set for February 9 – 12, 2023. It will be held at a beautiful lake house in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. I’ll be there and I’d love for you to join me.
Writing Community
Writers need other writers. Period. Give the gift of community by gifting a one-year membership to the See Jane Write Collective. As a member of the Collective, the writer in your life will get access to a resource library, weekly write-in sessions, monthly critique sessions and much more.
Get More Help with Your Gift Giving
If you would like help with other loved ones on your list, consider signing up for one of Charlene’s Guided Gifting calls. During these free 20-minute consultations, she will help you identify a gift that will be meaningful and memorable.
“It’s something I’ve done naturally for a long time,” Charlene says of her consultations. “It’s not unusual for friends to call me for gift advice. I believe deeply that gifting is a beautiful way we can show gratitude and support and make those we care about feel valued and loved. For the gifter who is struggling to come up an idea or the gifter who has a great idea but would like help executing or elevating it, my Guided Gifting consultations are for them and everyone in between.”