The Procrastinator's Gift Guide (Writer's Edition)

Even though I've titled this "Writer's Edition", you can get these gifts for anyone, not just the person in your life who's probably ODing on coffee while querying. Just substitute "writer" with someone else whose gift-buying you've put off for far too long. 

If you have a CP or a writing friend, or just a friend, for whom you've been putting off buying a gift because they're a hermit you honestly don't know what to get them, I'm here to save you!

Sort of.

I'm going to list a few types of writers (and remember, you can substitute "writer" with "friend" or "coworker" or "mom", etc.) I've encountered over the years, and what types of last minute gifts they might appreciate. This is not an exhaustive list (and it definitely does not cover all types of writers, just broad categories), so feel free to use it only for inspiration.

THE GUIDE

• For the one who is constantly stressed (on deadline? querying? on submission? desperately in need of sleep?):
• A giftcard to a spa OR, if you really want to give them the most painful yet most rewarding gift, try to find a sports massage place. The people there will really attack those knots in their shoulders that they've developed from long hours hunching over their laptops.
• A pamper kit. Throw together some lotions, scrubs, bath bombs (Bath & Body, Lush, even you local CVS can supply you) into a basket, wrap in cellophane, and it's going to look great.
• Fuzzy socks/bathrobe/blanket. You can't go wrong with anything fuzzy. 
• The comfiest set of pajamas you can find. You care for them, right? You want to drop subliminal hints that they should be getting more than three hours of a sleep a night, right?
• THE SPLURGE ITEM: If this person is really special to you and/or you have a bit of money to splurge, consider getting them an essential oils diffuser. If you don't know what that is (I didn't before), google it--it's sort of like a humidifier that's primary purpose is to diffuse essential oils. This *might* seem like a superfluous or luxury item only found in yoga centers, but diffusing lavender essential oil in the bedroom can really help that stressed writer/friend unwind. 

• For the one who is constantly working (and a BOSS at it, so they aren't necessarily that stressed at all, even though you think they should be):
• A giftcard to their favorite writing nook - this can be a coffee shop that you know they like to frequent so that they can get an insane amount of writing/work done, or a bookstore. 
• N.B. You should avoid encouraging the super stressed writer from adding additional caffeine to their diets because they are probably drinking more than their daily limit.
• Notebooks. That might seem super ordinary, but you can up your notebook game by going for something with a nice tooth to it (makes the writing flow much better). Moleskins are a good option, and there are many others at your local bookstore. Remember, those writers who are pretty on top of things ALWAYS have a need for a notebook.
•  You can also go for a planner.
• A laptop case OR, if you're a more ambitious, a laptop messenger bag. Either will come in handy when they are trekking in the early hours of the morning to their writing nook. 
• THE SPLURGE ITEM: You might want to consider bleeding a little on nice headphones. Not the earbuds that I'm currently wearing as I'm writing this post, but actual headphones that block out all other noise and allow these masters of work to sync to their best working tunes. These will be a very nice gift if you know this writer loves listening to a playlist while they write. Frends are a stylish option, but there are also others.

Hope this list gives you some ideas and prompts your gift brainstorming if you haven't started already! I didn't mention any books because tomorrow I'll be writing a post specifically about some books I think would make great gifts. Keep your eyes peeled for that :)