	Bob Hostetler > Writing

Gift Ideas for Writers…to Give

by Bob Hostetler

Writer’s magazines often feature suggested Christmas and Hannukah gifts for writers: fancy pens, award-winning books, writing aids, and coffee mugs sporting famous writers’ mugs. But those gifts are intended to be received by writers; what about the writer who has trouble finding gifts to give? So glad you asked.

The following list is intended to suggest thoughtful and meaningful gifts for writers to give this holiday season:

• write a letter to your parent(s), thanking them for the things they did rightin raising you;

• purchase a blank journal for a friend or loved one, and write short messages of gratitude and encouragement atop each page before giving it to him or her;

• write an original love poem for your husband or wife;

• create your own book titled 101 Things To Be Thankful For ,listing one praiseworthy thing about your child or spouse on each page;

• write an affectionate letter of remembrance to your sibling(s), recalling the highlights of your childhood together;

• pen an original prayer for someone;

• print an original, personalized award certificate for each family member, emphasizing each person’s unique and praiseworthy qualities (awards might include phrases like, “Best Red-haired Volleyball-playing Animal-loving Math-Excelling Daughter in the world!”);

• write a “Book of Promises” to someone you love;

• create an “Encouragement Basket,” stuffed with rolled, ribbon-tied slips of paper containing specific messages of encouragement for someone. The basket can be placed on a counter or makeup table and a new message read each day;

• write and bind an anecdotal family history, complete with photographs, to give to your children the Christmas before they leave for college, or to your parents on an anniversary or retirement date;

This holiday season, give the gift of “a word fitly spoken”--or written--that will shine brighter than “apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11, King James Version of the Bible).