2018 Holiday Gift Ideas for Journalists and Bloggers

Simply put, it’s been a long year for journalists.

Gifts can help.

For the holidays, we’d like to help you find the perfect gift for the writer in your life. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite gift ideas for journalists and bloggers.

Whether you’re looking for a gift that’s practical, fun, or a mix of both, we hope you find a unique option here.

Pen and paper

It’s important to have the right tools when a great idea strikes.

For the writer who still appreciates the art of taking notes with pen and paper, a quality journal can be a great gift.

Or, if you’re shopping for someone who regularly experiences “shower epiphanies,” Aqua Notes makes a trusted waterproof notepad.

If you’re like me and are very choosy about the pens you use, you know that having a pen that’s just right is not to be underestimated.

A unique fountain pen can be a conversation-starter and keepsake. Etsy sells some stunning handmade fountain pens, like these stainless steel and olive wood and gold options.

Looking for more stocking stuffers? There are plenty of unique pens to choose from.

Erasable pens ensure notes stay nice and neat. Light-up pens are available for those writers who wake up with a brilliant idea, but maybe don’t want to turn on the lights. And these 2-in-1 stylus pens allow for a seamless transition between a tablet and notepad.

Subscription ideas

There seems to be a new subscription service every time I turn around. Some of them are perfect for writers.

If the writer in your life regularly skips meals or eats junk food due to a lack of time or hectic schedule, food subscription services like Blue Apron or SnackNation can be lifesavers.

SCRIBEdelivery sends a monthly goodie box filled with pens, notebooks, and other items for inspiration.

But, a physical delivery isn’t required for a great gift.

Subscriptions to Audible or Amazon Kindle Unlimited (no Kindle required) will make sure users always have something interesting to read or listen to.

For the writer that’s always learning, a subscription to MasterClass gives them access to online classes from Bob Woodward, Ken Burns, and more.

Finally, for those who have a hard time staying on task, RescueTime may be a solution. For a small monthly fee, the app tracks productivity, reminds you to stay focused, and can even block distracting sites and generate reports.

Game night winners

Game night is always a good way to unwind after a hectic news week.

There are plenty of fun games to choose from that are a great fit for creatives.

Bananagrams is a simple, addictive game that happens if Scrabble becomes a race to the finish and everyone plays at once.

Dixit is an award-winning game that gives players the chance to flex their creativity by seeing who can most successfully pair an image with a story.

In The Game of Things, players write answers to topics like “THINGS … you wouldn’t do for a million dollars.” The goal is to guess who wrote what. Just make sure to disguise your handwriting!

If you’re shopping for a video game lover, Elegy for a Dead World could be a winning gift. In this game about writing, players travel to three worlds and write stories about their dead societies, using the works of poets John Keats, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley to create their own masterpieces.

Décor for writers

Decorative gifts can help the writer in your life display their love of writing or literature at home or in the office.

What journalist or blogger doesn’t have a huge collection of books to organize? Consider these well-reviewed agate bookends or these social-friendly @ bookends to make a statement.

If you’re shopping for an avid reader or someone who wants to check off a few more must-reads, a scratch-off novel chart makes a great piece of wall art.

Candles are one of my go-to gifts. You can purchase some amazing book-scented and literary-themed candles from Homesick Candles, Etsy, and Uncommon Goods.

Shopping for the grammar lover? Reward their constant grammar policing with this grammar plate set.

Writer-friendly apparel

For those who prefer to show their love of writing in their clothing and accessories, we have a few gift ideas.

Custom bracelets, earrings, and cufflinks are available from a number of vendors and sites.

There are plenty of literary T-shirts out there, but Out of Print Clothing has some of my favorites. Each purchase also helps fund literary programs and book donations in underserved communities.

Tote bags can make your support for the industry known with options like these “Journalism Matters,” “Support the people behind the words,” and “I support free press” bags.

Finally, for writers suffering from Carpal tunnel syndrome or even a cold office, fingerless compression gloves can be a great help.

Tech and gadgets

For journalists and bloggers, tech is a critical part of the job.

Having the right piece of technology can make the writing process more efficient and effective.

Noise-cancelling headphones, like these from Bose or Sony, allow writers to block out the rest of the world and focus on putting words to paper.

Especially for freelancers or those who work remotely, a good computing device is a necessity. Tablets are a great option because they’re portable, versatile, and offer many useful features for writers. The Surface Pro from Microsoft and Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 are popular options for writers.

Whether it’s recording an interview or a story idea, a good tape recorder is a great tool for a journalist. This digital voice recorder can store up to 300 hours of recording, filter out background noise, and connect directly to a computer via USB for easy file transfer.

Recording interviews, editing videos, and emailing back and forth with an editor can drain a smartphone battery. A good solar charger or external battery pack will eliminate the need for writers on-the-go to locate an outlet.

Writing resources

There are many great, trusted writing resources out there for new and expert writers alike.

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression is a popular tool for fiction writers. It also can be useful for bloggers and journalists looking to convey the emotion and body language of an interviewee, for example, without being repetitive.

Writer’s Market 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published is a must-have for anyone looking to get paid for their writing. The guide is updated each year and the 2019 edition includes tips on covering live events and sending email newsletters, listings for consumer and trade publications, and more.

Another popular writing guide, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction helps writers in any genre by covering topics like knowing the audience, writing a lede, and interviewing.

For a journalist or blogger suffering from a bit of writer’s block, The Writer’s Toolbox is full of creative exercises, writing prompts, and spinner palettes to get the creativity flowing.

 

If you’re out of ideas…

Maybe you didn’t find anything on this list that works for you. Maybe you’re shopping very, very last minute.

Gift cards are a great way to let the writer in your life buy exactly what they’re looking for. Amazon and Visa gift cards, for example, never go to waste.

And since coffee is the life blood of many writers, you’ll never go wrong with a Starbucks gift card.

You also can check out our list from 2017, which includes more great ideas.

Happy shopping!

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Rocky Parker works in Audience Relations at PR Newswire. When she’s not working, Rocky can be found testing new recipes, binge watching a new Netflix series, or taking her pitbull puppy Hudson out around town.