10 Best Gifts for Aspiring Writers

Finding a great gift for an aspiring writer can be quite difficult. That’s why we've created a list with some gift ideas to make life a little bit easier for you.

A new notebook or a good book is probably something everyone thinks of first. But let’s face it, if your friend, partner or family member has been following their passion for a while, they have probably received one or the other in the past already (maybe even multiple times). That doesn’t mean they are not valid gifts. A well-chosen book or a unique high-quality notebook will always be well received, probably even by the most established writers.

Wouldn’t it be great, though, to give a creative person a creative gift that, in the best case, might even support them on their journey to becoming a proficient writer? There are several great gift ideas that can help a writer to develop their writing skills.

Whether you are looking for a gift for someone who has recently become interested in writing, or for someone who just started working on their first novel, or maybe somebody that simply wants to take their writing to the next level, the right gift can encourage them to take their passion for writing a little further.

From practical writing tools and inspiring books to literary experiences and creative writing courses, we’ve put together 15 of the best gifts for aspiring writers. If you are looking for a birthday present, a Christmas gift or something for a different occasion, we hope you find this helpful as we have aimed to find something suitable for different personalities and budgets.

1. A creative writing course gift voucher

Sometimes not things, but experiences are the best gifts. Rather than adding another writing accessory to their collection, maybe you could choose something that can support an aspiring writer with their passion and make them take a step forward into the direction of becoming a confident and skilled writer. A Creative Writing Course Gift Voucher can be that thoughtful present.

In a writing course, aspiring writers learn new techniques, receive valuable feedback and gain the confidence with guidance from an experienced tutor to take their writing to the next level.

This Creative Writing Gift Voucher allows the recipient to take part in a creative writing course, including live workshops, that will help them to improve their writing abilities in order to become a proficient wordsmith. No matter if they want to become a novelist, a writer of short stories or a blogger, with a creative writing course they will be able to refine and elevate their writing skills.

This gift voucher is a great option for birthdays, Christmas or simply to encourage someone to finally pursue their passion for writing.

Give the gift of writing → Explore Creative Writing Gift Vouchers

2. A book about the craft of writing

I don’t think it’s a secret that people who enjoy writing also like reading books. But instead of going for another novel, what about choosing a book that can help your gift recipient with their own writing. Books about the craft of writing can not only give guidance for improvement, but also inspire and boost motivation.

There are plenty of books about the craft of writing available. You can get a book about how to write fiction or books that help you to improve your story telling. Some of the best-known craft books are: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott. While Stephen King combines personal experiences with practical advice on becoming a better writer, Anne Lamott explores both the creative process and the challenges writers often face.

The best choice depends basically on what the aspiring writer wants to achieve. If you choose a suitable craft book it can be a great tool for an aspiring writer to develop their skills.

3. A tailored literary experience

Instead of a gift that comes in a box, why not give an experience? A literary experience could be an invitation to a reading session of a well-known writer, a ticket to a book fair or a walking tour that revolves around places linked to famous authors and novels. Another idea could be a visit of a former home of a favourite writer.

These type of unique gifts for aspiring writers can be a source of inspiration or simply become a nice memory of a great day. A few fantastic experiences could be the Edinburgh International Book Festival  the largest literary festival in the world, a trip to Oxford visiting The Eagle and Child pub where J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis held regular meetings or a ticket to the London Book Fair.

4. Noise-cancelling headphones

Some writers might struggle with finding inspiration in a noisy environment like for instance in a Café or on a train. For these situations noise cancelling headphones could be a practical gift for an aspiring writer.

The headphones reduce the background noise that arises in the environment and make it easier to concentrate on a story. They are particularly useful for people that are not conventional desk writer or that simply like to use their travel time in a useful way by creating stories on the road. And if you need some inspiration just play some great music to increase creativity. Some affordable foldable noise cancelling headphones are for example the Soundcore Anker Q20i.

5. A bookshop gift card

A gift card might be a good idea when you know a person likes reading but you are not exactly sure what. A gift card gives an aspiring writer freedom to choose a book from their favourite genre. With a gift card you also avoid the risk of buying a book that the recipient has already read or bought.

I would suggest buying a gift card from a local bookshop as it makes the present feel more special and you are additionally supporting business in your community.

We love One Tree Books, our local bookshop in Petersfield, and you can also shop for vouchers at bookshop.org and support independent booksellers.

6. A personalised writer's desk accessory

As an aspiring writer one probably spends a lot of time at their desk, therefore your chosen gift recipient might appreciate if it felt a bit more special. Some personalised accessories could give your gift a unique touch.

As there are plenty of desk accessories, there are plenty of gifts to choose from, such as personalised bookends, notebooks, penholders or other essentials. How about adding one of their favourite quotations?

7. A lap desk

Not every writer likes to work on a traditional desk. Some prefer writing on a sofa, bed or armchair to be more comfortable whilst writing. Instead of placing your notebook or laptop directly onto your lap, a lap desk can be placed onto your legs and provide a stable surface. Additionally, they often come with a soft cushion base and other useful features like space for a mouse and a phone holder.

A lap desk makes writing in unsual workplaces so much more relaxed. A budget friendly quality laptop desk is for instance the Vigo Wood Laptop Tray.

8. A writing prompt deck

It happens even the to the best writers, the inspiration is gone, and you are staring at a blank page. A writing prompt deck can be a great gift for aspiring writers to provide a little spark of inspiration. It can help to shape characters, give a story a different direction or simply kick things off.

In a writing prompt deck, each card represents a character or a scenario that can be used to start your story. A prompt deck is very useful especially for beginners to simply start writing and being creative instead of having to finish a full story. It is a fun way to practice new techniques and build a regular writing habit.

9. A writer's retreat or writing weekend

This is another experience-based gift that gives a writer dedicated time and space to write. Leaving your usual environment and being in a different place can enable better concentration and a new flow of inspiration.

Writing retreats come in various forms. Some offer you an independent quiet space so you can focus on your work, and some offer guidance workshops and feedback sessions. And sometimes just spending a weekend in a lovely cottage in the countryside can be the start of a great novel.

Obviously, this is a rather generous gift and won’t fit into a 20 GBP budget, but it might be well worth it if you really want to support someone's writing career.

10. A beautiful writing journal

This is one of the obvious gift options for an aspiring writer, but that doesn’t mean that it is not a gift you should consider.

A quality journal always comes in handy when inspiration strikes and you can quickly make a few notes. It is great to collect ideas and experiment with dialogues.

I believe a nice quality journal feels more personal and warmer than the cold keys of a computer. For some aspiring writers it might be the better medium to put the magic that originates in their mind into action. Even though most people these days would probably still write a novel on a computer, a journal can be a great place where the story begins.

How to choose the perfect gift for an aspiring writer

With so many gift ideas being available, it can be tough to choose the perfect present.

As each aspiring writer is individual, it might be easier to select something when you know something of the following about the new writer: How serious is he/she about writing? Would they rather appreciate something practical, insprirational or experience based? If you can answer these questions you are one step closer to the perfect gift for an aspiring writer.

Consider what they like to write

Do they like to write poetry or rather short stories? Maybe you are looking for something for an aspiring novelist, then you could consider books about storytelling, a creative writing course or a reading of one of their favourite authors.

Think about where they are in their writing journey

It mightb be good to know if someone is a complete beginner or already a bit more advanced in their writing journey. Someone who just found their passion for writing may appreciate a prompt deck, a book on the craft of writing or a creative writing course to help them to develop more confidence.

Noise-cancelling headphones or a writer retreat might be a great gift for someone who has started writing their first novel, so they can fully focus on their work.

Gift ideas for aspiring writers by budget

A thoughful give for an aspiring writer does not have to cost a fortune. Even with a smaller budget you can give someone who is passionate about creative writing a great present.

Even though there are brilliant gifts available in every budget category, you choose the gift that suits your wallet. If you are looking for for something for a smaller budget, a journal or a book might be a suitable present. If you are willing to dig a little deeper into your pockets, a creative writing course might be the perfect gift.

Give an aspiring writer something to inspire their next story

The best gifts for aspiring writers are not always the most expensive. I believe the most important thing is that the person see that you really thought about what to give and that it reflects their interests.

A physical gift can be very practical but a present that helps someone to develop their skills means, that you help them turning their ideas into stories. It can be a very meaningful gift that shows the recipient that you take their writing seriously.

If you're looking for something other than the traditional presents, why not give them the possibility to enhance their writing skills?