Holiday shopping can be stressful—especially once you're down to the wire with only a couple of weeks or even days left to find the perfect gifts for everybody on your left on your list.
Stocking stuffers not only come in handy for holiday shoppers in a rush, but they can also be an inexpensive way to add a little else something to a gift you've already got wrapped up and ready to go.
If you've got a writer in the mix, finding stocking stuffers for them is a sinch! There are so many options to help them stay organized, embrace their creativity, and show your support for their writerly dreams.
Not sure where to start? Keep scrolling for some ideas!
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any companies or products mentioned, nor is this a sponsored post.
Pens And Pencils
While they don't sound overly exciting or festive, these are the writer's tools of the trade and we never want to run out!
Challenge yourself to find out which brands or models your writer friend gravitates towards and pick up a pack of those. Or, for a little fun, find a novelty pen or one that feels fitting for their genre—like a Star Wars pen for a sci-fi writer or a ballpoint pen that looks like a quill for a writer of historical fiction.
Earbuds (or Earplugs)
Many writers concentrate better when they listen to music or ambient noise. Others prefer blocking out external sounds and working in total silence when possible.
Either way, earbuds (or earplugs), make for great stocking stuffers! They also got a shout-out in my recent list of gift ideas for writers because they are such a solid option.
Earbuds got a mention in my recent gift ideas for writers, but they're small enough to tuck into a stocking, too!
Psst, if you want to learn more about the earbuds I use, check out this post!
Flash Drives
In the day and age of the cloud, we don't always think about backing up our writing.
But sometimes, you need to manually transfer files between devices or just need extra storage.
Flash drives offer a backup plan. They're an inexpensive peace of mind.
For a touch of whimsy or a White Elephant gift, you can find plenty of novelty flash drives taking the form of anything from a sword to a rubber duck to a literal thumb drive!
Flash drives can be a stocking stuffer that says, "I believe in your stories—and want to keep them safe." You could even pair it with a keychain or lanyard for writers on the go.
Fingerless Gloves
Writers are known for keeping cozy, especially during the colder months. But we still need to use our fingers.
Fingerless gloves can offer comfort without losing functionality. Plus they fit right in with the writer's aesthetic.
Pair them with some hand warmers for even more warmth on chilly nights or a matching nail polish for that writer who loves manicures as much as they love working on their manuscript.
Headlamp
Hear me out.
If your writer friend is like me, they do a lot of their writing and reading at night, so you can't go wrong with shedding some light on their situation.
I've used a headlamp for reading for years. It was a happy discovery after the Home Depot I worked at at the time ran out of flashlights ahead of a storm so I ended up grabbing some headlamps by the register just in case I lost power at home.
Now I can't imagine reading or writing in bed any other way.
In the past, I've had reading lights that left dents in the covers of my books and the pages would brush against the light arched over the book, sometimes even tearing slightly, making for a moderately inconvenient experience—almost as inconvenient as needing to hold a flashlight in one hand and trying to turn the pages with the other!
Headlamps are hands-free and won't damage your books. They typically have different brightness settings and are adjustable.
Sure, you might look a tad dorky wearing one, but nobody said writing or reading were always bound to be stylish endeavors. Plus they're also good to have in an emergency.
Wax Melts
If you want to include something fragrant as a stocking stuffer for your writer friends, wax melts can very much be the definition of good things coming in a small package. They're commonly sold as bricks that break off into cubes, so you get a good amount of use from them.
Mixing and matching scents makes wax melts a more customizable stocking stuffer.
I most often buy my wax melts from ScotlinScents on Etsy. I have their Baby Powder scent in my warmer as I'm working on this post, and I love the delicate, clean scent it spreads through my space.
And if they don't already have a wax warmer, getting them one can make for a lovely gift, too; I also suggest including some liner cups, as this makes it much easier to swap out scents without the mess.
Psst, if you want to find some scents that are great for writers, check out this post on bringing aromatherapy into your creative space.
Thinking Putty
Thinking Putty is one of the most-used tools in my writer's toolkit. I've got multiple tins in my collection, including one that I keep in my bag to break out at work if I find my ADHD revving up during a shift.
It's also good for writers who need something tactile to fiddle with while they're brainstorming and it's quiet and portable, making it perfect for writing sessions in libraries or coffee shops. The simple, repetitive motions of playing with the Thinking Putty can help them stay on track as they mull over plot holes or run through dialogue in their head.
Thinking Putty comes in a wide array of textures and colors, with some quirky options like glow-in-the-dark, so there's one for every writer out there.
Computer Cleaning Kits
Writers spend a lot of time with their computers, so they might appreciate a gift that helps them keep their devices clean.
Whether it's a tin of goop that's made to pick up bits of dust and debris in their keyboard, a screen cleaning set to wipe away smudges, or even a mini vacuum to catch all of those eraser shavings and snacktime crumbs, these gifts are as practical as they are affordable.
Additionally, you could also get them a cable organizer to help them sort out all of their computer cords and straighten up their desk.
Although stocking stuffers are small and inexpensive goodies, they can be thoughtful gifts for the writers in your life. Whether they're practical or just for funsies, they're a great way to show your support for their goals.
What would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
