Holiday Gifts for Writers: Practical & Cozy Ideas They’ll Actually Use
- Dec 4, 2025
- 9 min read
Not sure what to buy for the writer in your life? These curated, writer-approved gifts make drafting, revising, and daydreaming even better.
Happy holidays, y’all! If you’ve ever tried shopping for a writer, you know we can be…a little difficult. Writers love practical gifts, but we’re also very particular about the supplies that we use. Pens matter. Paper matters. Desk vibes absolutely matter. But when you find the right gift—the one that makes their writing sessions a little easier—it’s pure magic.
That’s why I’ve put together a curated list of tried-and-true writing supplies, productivity tools, and cozy desk accessories that writers will genuinely use throughout the year and actually appreciate! From novelists to poets, screenwriters to journalers, this shopping guide offers thoughtful, writer-approved tools that inspire creativity, enhance comfort, and help make the writing process feel a little more special for the writer in your life. And if you’re a writer yourself, feel free to treat this guide as your personal wish list!
Plus, there are no affiliate links here—these are all items I’ve personally used or would genuinely love to receive as a gift. Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly stocking stuffer or a special present that supports their craft, this guide is packed with the best holiday gifts for writers. And if you’re a writer yourself, think of this as your personal wish list!
If you want to support a loved one’s creative goal this year or want to treat yourself to something new, read on for the top gifts for writers this holiday season.
Writing Supplies
Pens Writers Love
Pens may seem like a simple gift, but writers know a good pen can make all the difference.
I've been using these pens since my teaching days and have been a fan ever since. Although the 0.5 mm tip is my favorite, the Sarasa Clip Gel Pens are available in several tip sizes and a wide range of colors. The ink is smooth, quick-drying, and doesn’t bleed. When you run out of ink, you can replace the cartridges, making them a more economical and eco-friendly choice.
Similarly, I’ve been using these highlighters for years. The Mildliner Highlighter color range is fantastic, and Zebra offers curated color sets for any and every vibe. They’re great for annotating drafts, color-coding, and journaling.
Notebooks for Every Writing Style
There is no such thing as “too many notebooks” for a writer, but the key is selecting practical notebooks that fit every writing style.
I have been using these notebooks for years and love them—the B5 dot-grid style is my favorite. STM notebooks come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and paper styles, making it easy to find one that suits your style. Their most impressive feature is the paper weight—it’s smooth and thick, which helps reduce pen ghosting from page to page. Whether you're drafting, doing research, or journaling, these notebooks are perfect for jotting down ideas and notes.
Before discovering STM, Midori made my favorite notebooks. While Midori offers a wide range of stationery and writing supplies, these notebooks remain my top choice. The MD Notebook Journal is lightweight, features a minimalist design, and has fountain-pen-friendly paper, making it perfect for on-the-go writing.
Organization & Productivity Tools
These gifts are great for helping writers stay focused, organized, and inspired, making them perfect for setting new goals this New Year.
The Midori Pen & Tool Mesh Pouch is my everyday pen case, and is perfect for taking notes and journaling on the go. It’s just the right size to hold a few pens, pencils, highlighters, Post-it notes, annotation flags, a small ruler, and stickers. Plus, it fits smoothly in a tote bag or backpack, making it super convenient to carry around.
Folders like these are great for keeping notes, outlines, and research neatly organized and easy to find. The Lihit Lab Bloomin Pocket Folder has eight main pockets, each capable of holding up to 20 sheets of A4 or Letter-size paper. The pockets open wide for quick access, and a small flap at the top helps keep papers secure and in place.
Folders like these resemble the Lihit Lab Pocket Folder but are thinner and come in a bunch of colors. The Kokuyo Glassele Index File Holder makes it easy to keep your documents organized and within reach. It’s designed with a slim, portable shape and includes 5 pockets, each capable of holding up to 10 sheets of paper.
The Pomodoro Method is a fantastic time-management tool for writers, and a physical Pomodoro timer can make a thoughtful gift, especially for those who struggle to stay focused, beat procrastination, or manage their time effectively. It offers a friendly, structured way to help block out distractions and prevent burnout. The Ticktime Pomodoro Timer Cube offers a range of features to suit every writer’s needs and preferences.
For writers new to the Pomodoro Method or who just prefer a simple, low-tech choice, consider trying the Time Timer Visual Timer! This analog timer comes in a variety of cheerful colors and is very user-friendly.
Desk Accessories & Comfort Gifts
Writers spend hours at their workspaces, so making sure that they’re efficient and comfortable is essential to a productive writing session.
Coffee and tea gifts are popular for writers, but there’s nothing more disappointing than preparing a hot beverage in your favorite bookish mug only to find it lukewarm or downright freezing cold when you take a sip. A mug warmer helps keep the drink at the perfect temperature, ensuring a cozy writing experience and reducing the need to get up and be distracted.
If your writer is looking for a prettier way to spruce up their workspace, did you know that candle warmers are very similar to mug warmers? They come in tons of colors, designs, and price ranges, and still serve the purpose of warming candles! I would suggest a citrusy scent to boost productivity and increase alertness at the start of a writing session, and a calming scent like eucalyptus to help with mental clarity and relaxation when wrapping up.
There’s nothing worse than trying to work when it feels like you’re in a frozen tundra! This chair blanket wrap is a minimalist, professional-looking option for staying toasty without cranking up the thermostat. What I especially like about these is that the blanket attaches to the chair, so it stays in place, and there aren’t any cords to trip over.
The Snuggleback is the Snuggie’s workaholic cousin. Another chair blanket option, the Snuggleback is available in four colors and has a cozy sherpa-throw feel. It's the perfect choice for the writer in your life with a more casual writing setup—simply throw it over a chair, and you’re ready to get cozy!
I added the ComfiLife Under-Desk Footrest to my own desk setup two years ago, and it’s made a huge difference in my posture and focus. If you tend to fidget (like me), you can flip the footrest on its curved side to rock your feet. Research suggests this can support sensory regulation and provide stimulation, helping you stay alert without distraction.
Whenever I work on a project, I love using the Vattenkar Desk Organizer to keep all my notes, notebooks, reference materials, and some writing supplies neatly organized and within reach. What really makes it special is its portability. The ability to easily move a project from your desk to the couch, a cafe, or anywhere else while keeping everything tidy has been incredibly helpful, making this organizer a great choice for the writer in your life with limited space.
Another option for writers working with limited space is the Råskog Utility Cart from Ikea, paired with the optional Norråva bamboo lid. This is a great choice for keeping your writing supplies and essentials well-organized. It’s available in several colors, and the wheels make moving it a breeze. The bamboo lid not only hides clutter but also serves as a convenient work surface. To further personalize their setup, consider adding Sunnersta accessories, such as hooks and containers, to the sides of the cart for added organization and visual appeal.
This is another one of my favorite finds from Ikea! I appreciate how sturdy and adjustable the Havrehoj Metal Tablet Holder is, making it really comfortable to use with tablets or cell phones. It even has a handy hook at the back for hanging headphones, and there's a little tray at the bottom for keeping small items organized. It’s a simple yet wonderful addition to any space!
Even if your writer has a dedicated office or a cozy writing nook, interruptions while working from home can still happen. A personalized ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign can gently let others know they’re in focused mode and would appreciate no interruptions. Such a gift also shows you care about their creative time and respect it—just be sure to honor the sign when it’s in use!
If your writer doesn’t have a dedicated writing space or needs complete silence to focus, earplugs can be a wonderful solution to block out distractions and help boost productivity. Whether they're working at noisy kitchen tables or bustling cafes, earplugs gently reduce noise sensitivity, allowing your writer to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet while working. Of the earplugs I’ve tried, Loops stand out as my favorite—they come in a variety of sizes, colors, and levels of engagement, making it easy to find the perfect fit.
Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Book Lovers & Avid Readers
These options are great as stocking stuffers or treats for yourself!
When in doubt, let your writer decide! JetPens offers $25 electronic gift cards sent via email.
Bookshop.org digital gift cards also make a great gift for readers! Every purchase on Bookshop.org supports independent brick-and-mortar bookstores, helping them stay active in their local communities.
If you know your writer’s favorite book or fandom, Out of Print offers great gift options like themed shirts, pins, socks, and tote bags. Each purchase supports literacy programs and book donations to communities in need through partners like We Need Diverse Books, Books For Africa, the American Library Association, and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
This reading valet would be the perfect addition to any reader’s nightstand or coffee table. With space for a phone, a favorite drink, and reading glasses or notes, it’s a great way to help keep everything organized and within reach.
For readers in a slump, this reading challenge can turn things around by gamifying the experience! Reading becomes even more rewarding with 25 challenges, each offering a special prize like a laser-engraved bookmark, a mini notebook, or greeting cards.
This journal, written by Mallory O'Meara and Brea Grant of the Reading Glasses Podcast, is another helpful tool for readers of all levels, whether experienced or just starting out. This reading journal can help them track what they've read, reflect on their favorites, and rediscover the fun of books without any pressure or guilt.
These lightweight yet sturdy book holders are perfect for making any reading experience more relaxed and enjoyable. They work well with both hardbound and softbound books, featuring a dual-sided design and plenty of width to keep pages open.
Writers and readers are not typically known for good posture. After a long writing or reading session, these massagers are the next best thing to having an at-home massage therapist.
If the writer in your life is thinking about upgrading their setup, they might find that Scrivener is a better choice over Microsoft Word for big, intricate projects like books. It’s really handy because its Binder feature allows writers to easily organize, view, and reorder chapters or scenes as separate files, which is much more flexible than Word's linear approach. Plus, Scrivener has built-in tools for research, outlining, goal tracking, and distraction-free writing—all within one project window.
For anyone passionate about screenwriting, Final Draft is the best choice. While it may be on the pricier side, it's the industry standard and is trusted by professionals worldwide. Unlike Word, Final Draft is built specifically for screenwriters, automatically managing complex formatting such as sluglines and character cues, helping scripts look polished and meet industry standards—saving time and effort. It provides production-ready files and streamlines the writing process, making it the preferred tool for film and TV writers. Plus, it offers templates for novels, comic books, and stage plays, supporting a variety of storytelling needs.
Finding the perfect gift for a writer doesn’t have to be complicated—what really matters is showing your support for their writing goals. Whether it’s a special pen, a notebook that sparks their next big idea, or a cozy desk upgrade that makes those long writing sessions a little more enjoyable, the right gift can really nurture their creative process.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! I hope this holiday gift guide makes your shopping a bit easier—and maybe even inspires you to add a few special things to your own wish list. Writing is often a solitary activity, but having thoughtful tools and comforting touches can make it feel more supported, meaningful, and fun. If you found this gift guide helpful, please feel free to bookmark it or share it with someone searching for the perfect gift for a writer this holiday season.
Which of these gifts would you love to receive—or give? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to share this guide with a fellow writer who deserves a little extra inspiration this season!
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