Christmas/ Holiday Gift Ideas for Poets

08Nov 2020 by admin

“A Poet’s 2020 Gift Buying Guide.” – dimitrireyespoet.com

1) Pens

You’ll want to buy a pen that makes your writer want to write. For instance, my wife tried to get me an early Christmas gift (and failed because the box looked SO COOL!) of Harry Potter wand pens. She ended up giving them to me early as she said that “I couldn’t contain myself.”

You can watch me swish and flick one of them in my “Spooky Reading” Halloween YouTube video.

Harry Potter Pens

Lo and behold, I’ve used every opportunity since feasting my eyes on those pens to scribble poems, post it notes, to-do’s, and shopping lists. No blank piece of paper is safe from my 10 ¼ inch Willow with a slightly pliable bend 🧙🏽‍♂️

Caligraphy Set

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com ESSSHOP Handmade Glass Dipped Pen and Ink Set - Crystal Signature Pen for Art, Writing, Si[...](1)

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com ESSSHOP Handmade Glass Dipped Pen and Ink Set - Crystal Signature Pen for Art, Writing, Si[...]

These are cool because it really makes the writer feel like a writer— connecting to the scribes of the days before plastic. I’ve found that quills and different fountain tips make writing automatically look better! ✒️

Light Pens

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com Glovion Led Light Pen, Penlight for Nighttime Writing White- Pack of 3 Pens Office Products

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com Penyeah Pen with Light, Pen Light Flashlight, Lighted Tip Pen Light for Nurses, LED Lighte[...](1)

This is a great and highly useful piece of equipment for late night/ early risers. A particularly good piece for a writer to keep by their bed if after waking up in the middle of the night to record a dream or getting a wonderful idea when they’re about to fall asleep.

2) Notepads

Another overlooked and thoughtful gift, especially if you buy an awesome looking notepad that reflects your particular poet’s style.

Writing Pads

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com Ampad Gold Fibre Retro Writing Pad, Red Cover, Ivory Paper, 5 x 8, Medium Rule, 80 Sheets,[...]

My favorite notepad is a spiral bound legal notepad with a hard front and back cover with a spiral bound. This is in my opinion, the most optimal pad because it’s beneficial to both left and right handed writers and the hard back means they can wake up in the middle of the night and be able to write on the bed without the need for a table or other hard surface near by. This gift pairs perfectly with the light pen!

3) Reading Lights

This gift is so essential that it’s always overlooked. A comfy reading lamp is perfect for those late night or early morning readers. This can also allow (and encourage) your bookish gift recipient to read outdoors in the evening.

Neck Light

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light, Book Light for Reading in Bed, 3 Colors, 6 Brightness Levels, Benda[...]

We used to use this neck light when we were still doing vanlife to read at night and my wife still uses it when I’m sleeping. It’s comfy to rest on the neck and is also ergonomical enough to be worn while lying back to read. The great versatility to the lamp is how you can “dim” or “brighten” the light by using one both bulbs that also shine in a white or red light.

Reading Light

This is the standard reading light that clips onto your book. I had one of these when I was a kid— granted way bulkier and the book light has come a long way since 2007! They’re lightweight, rechargeable, and adjustable so no need to worry about a top heavy book or using batteries!

4) Essential Oil Diffusers

The sense of smell shouldn’t be ignored in the process of writing. There are studies that who how random scents are linked to memory. Surrounding yourself with pleasant scents or memorable scents can elicit certain energies or emotions that are good for creation. Additionally, consistently having a certain scent on while creating will ritualize the scent, and better prepare your writer’s brain to start building those creative connections.

Oil Diffusers

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com COOSA Glass Essential Oil Diffuser, 250ml Aromatherapy Fragrance Diffuser Ultrasonic Cool [...]

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com URPOWER Essential Oils, Upgraded 6 Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Essential Oils 100%[...]

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com COOSA Glass Essential Oil Diffuser, 250ml Aromatherapy Fragrance Diffuser Ultrasonic Cool [...](1)

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com COOSA Glass Essential Oil Diffuser, 250ml Aromatherapy Fragrance Diffuser Ultrasonic Cool [...](2)

Here are some great scent ideas and their benefits:

Peppermint = concentration
Lavender = oil of communication
Tangerine = joy & creativity

read the rest of that blog here

4) Bookmarks

If you or your gift receiver is anything like me, my book reading process is all over the place. I pickup books, put them down, and step into frenzies looking for certain poems hours on end.

A pack of bookmarks will help the poet with what pages they left off on or give them that extra special choice when determining which bookmark to use for their next book of choice.

Bookmarks

Screenshot_2020-11-07 Amazon com Silicone Finger Point Bookmarks Book Marker for School Supplies Stationery Assorted Colors[...]

Magnifying glasses, pointers, or ecofriendly bookmarks are just some ways to make the gift more thoughtful.

5) Gift Cards

I couldn’t end this list without giving a shout out to the hard work of indie bookstores and publishers. In the age of online shopping and retail giants, the small indie bookstore stays open by its commitment to the public and its personability among their audience. This year especially, many independent bookstores— even bookstores as large as Strand — are in danger of or indefinitely closing their doors because they’ve just lost too much business.

Being a good literary citizen is supporting these places by purchasing their merchandise. This allows them to keep their lights on and continue being important literary hubs for readings, events that writers so dearly need.

Here’s a brief list of some of the places you should support.

(New York)
https://www.strandbooks.com/gifts-apparel/gift-cards

(Los Angeles)
http://www.citylights.com/bookstore/?fa=books_giftcertificates

(New Jersey)
https://store.wordsbookstore.com/gift-card

(New York)
https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/gift-cards

(Portland)
https://www.powells.com/gifts/giftcards

(Pennsylvania)
https://www.farleysbookshop.com/home

(Seattle)
https://www.elliottbaybook.com/elliott-bay-gift-certificates