The best gift to give a writer

As the holidays approach, I often get the question “What would you like for Christmas? 

A few years ago I reached a stage in my life where I no longer knew what I wanted as a gift, or if I even wanted anything at all. I value the holidays as a time to unwind and catch up with family and friends. When the question of gifts comes up, I usually search my brain to come up with something that is not too expensive. I want to help the giver and save them the trouble of figuring it out on their own. As a new writer, I realized I might need something that I hadn’t thought of before, something that could help me become a better writer. I went to the internet for ideas.

Here are some funny ones that I found:

1. Writer-themed clothes - Great for laundry day, but they should be warm and oversized.
   
2. Alcohol - A perfect way to amplify the doubt and anxiety every author already has
   
3. Candles - Might be useful for séances to contact the character the author had killed in a book
   
4. Literary gadgets - Because everything can be commercialized.
   

We are all different, and some of the items found on general advice pages and forums on the internet might be exactly what some authors are looking for. I decided, however, to come up with my own list of what I think every author needs. Bonus: Some items are completely free. 

1. If the author is published and you have not yet purchased the book for yourself, this is the perfect time to do so. Share the joy of grabbing a copy for yourself with the author.
   
2. Buy their book as a gift for someone else who might enjoy it.
   
3. Write a review of their book if you’ve finished reading it.
   
4. Recommend the book to others.
   
5. Tell the author why you liked their book.
   
6. Join the author’s newsletter.
   
7. Share the author's accomplishments with others.
   
8. Follow them on social media and share their posts.
   
9. Grab them gift cards from stores that carry stationery.
   
10. Gift cards for places like Amazon or Google Books (full of help books, research material, and books to read for fun). Amazon gift cards are also great for the author to buy copies of their book for resale at a later time.
    
11. Prepaid credit cards for unexpected expenses such as mailing fees, memberships, writing classes, and writing getaways. Also great for takeout.
    
12. For writers with children, give them the gift of free time by offering to babysit.
    
13. Donate to literary or social causes in their name.
    
14. Keep an eye out for cheap or free opportunities for book sales, or book donations of gently used books.
    
15. A book that is similar to one of the author’s books in theme or style. Authors like to compare their work with others, but finding books that are similar to their own is not easy and takes time. If you know of any that they have not read, they may appreciate a copy.
    

I hope you enjoy the practical ideas I came up with so far. Holidays are a time for fun, and no matter how big or small the gift is, the author will appreciate it. 

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