Got a freelancer or two to shop for and missed getting something on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Maybe you’re the problem child on everyone’s list because you can’t ever think of anything you need. Not to worry.
The following goodies are tailor-made for freelancers. Or, the next time someone asks what you want, send them a copy of this. Bonus – everything is available online. Don’t forget, if you’re giving any of these as tax-deductible business gifts, the IRS’ acceptable spending limit is $25:
A cuppa Joe. What self-respecting writer doesn’t like coffee? With such connoisseurs, not any old java will do. Last year, my go-to gift for editors was a 12 ounce bag of Midnight Oil from Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee, Inc. Buy it and you’ll support fellow freelancer Pat Curry, who with her husband John started the Augusta, Georgia, roaster in 2010, and has been racking up accolades ever since. Buona Caffe has several gift items ($5 and up), or email Pat and she’ll create something to your specifications.
Books on writing. My new favorite is Ann Patchett’s essay book, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage ($27.99), which debuted in November. It includes a long chapter about how years of freelancing for the likes of Seventeen and Bridal Guide helped her career as a novelist. Buy it from a locally owned bookstore – Patchett and a partner opened one in her hometown of Nashville two years ago – and she wouldn’t want it any other way. Other ideas: My 5 favorite books on writing.
Tickets to a festival, lecture series or workshop. Speaking of Ann Patchett, I heard her speak last month as part of an author lecture series run by Portland’s Literary Arts. Tickets to this series are one of the best gifts I’ve received in recent years; I’ve heard Salman Rushdie, Abraham Verghese, Barbara Kingsolver and Annie Proulx, among others. Talk about inspiration! Not every town has such a series, but they do have book festivals and writers’ workshops; if tickets to events near you aren’t available now, you can always give a rain-check and follow up when they are. If you really want to splurge, send the writer in your life to a writer’s conference or retreat – and there’s always the 2014 ASJA writers conference April 24-26 in New York.
Pens. Most writers I know have a favorite pen. Mine’s a Pilot Precise rolling ball with extra fine point, in black or blue, perfect for to-do lists and filling out the New York Times Sunday crossword. These come a dozen to a box and cost less than $20, enough to have one at my desk, in my purse, on my nightstand and anywhere else I need it.
TaskRabbit. This time of year, there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it. The solution: outsource non-essential tasks so you can focus on work or more festive activities. One way to do that is through TaskRabbit, an online marketplace where you post tasks, pick how much you’re willing to pay or request bids, and then select a helper or let the system pick for you. TaskRabbit gift cards are $10 and up.
Evernote Premium. I’ve been a fan of the free version of this digital organizing tool for a while, but didn’t realize how truly fantastic it could be until I upgraded to the Evernote premium account. For $45 a year, you can find and “clip” information online and add it to digital notebooks that you can share with other people. This is extremely handy for anyone who uses a virtual assistant or intern because it means they can do research online and dump what they find into your notebooks.
What gifts for writers do you recommend?