The great American author Stephen King once said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Anyone who knows a writer knows that those two traits are especially true.
When it came to this year’s list of the best Christmas gifts for writers (see our 2019 compilation here), we wanted to focus on what items would make life easier for a writer. By no means is writing an easy task and giving someone the gift of convenience goes a long way.
If you’re ready, let’s start shopping!
Best Christmas Gifts for Writers in 2020 – Overview
While some of the items that we’ve selected might be a little extravagant, the benefits that these items present a writer with makes them worth more than any amount of money. We hope you’ll agree when you read on a bit further.
- Contigo Luxe Autoseal – $18
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) – $2149
- Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer – $11
- Readydesk 2 – $154
- ARTIX Typewriter Style Backlit Keyboard – $109
- Scrivener – $49
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – $278
- ViewSonic VP2458 – $199
- AmazonBasics Backpack – $33
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – $1049
- BenQ Screenbar – $99
- Apple iPad Air 4 – $749
- Herman Miller Aeron – $1919
- Kindle Oasis – $279
- On Writing by Stephen King – $12
See here for 2020’s top gifts for designers or 2020’s top gifts for photographers and more unique gift ideas.
Best Christmas Gifts for Writers in 2020
Contigo Luxe Autoseal – $18
The best part of waking up…
Like most of us, a writer’s day starts with either a great cup of coffee or tea. While a great mug may be something that a writer has used for the past 10 years (gross), if they like to do their writing in the park or at their favorite coffee house, having a traveling mug like the Luxe Autoseal from Contigo is a perfect choice. With an easy-to-use, “automatic” button on the side opens and closes the beverage hole and never leaks a drop when closed. A convenient lock ensures that the lid stays closed but even without that, you won’t have to worry about spills.
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- Seal it in: leak- and spill-proof Travel mug thanks to AUTOSEAL lid
- For the long Haul: stainless steel double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot up to 5 hours or cold up to 12
- Lend a hand: one-handed drinking convenience on the go
- Lock it up: lock feature prevents accidental pressing of AUTOSEAL button
- Squeaky clean: underside of lid opens up for thorough cleaning
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2020) – $2499
The perfect on the go laptop
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M – Radeon Pro 5500M | RAM: 16GB – 64GB | Screen: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone | Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD
While it’s definitely on the pricier side, the MacBook Pro from Apple is everything anyone could need in a laptop. With a 16-inch screen, the laptop is not as bulky and awkward to carry around as its size may lead you to believe. With excellent speakers and a keyboard that has been remarkably improved. Perfect for professional writers or those working on their first novel, the MacBook Pro provides a high level of quality that cannot be matched.
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- Ninth-generation 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- AMD Radeon Pro 5500M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer – $11
A warm cup of Joe all day long
Like we said before, many writers don’t start their day without a piping cup of coffee or tea to clear away the cobwebs from sleep and help them write their next masterpiece. The Mug Warmer from Mr. Coffee can help keep their coffee warm all day long. The last thing any writer wants to do is get up once they hit a zone to reheat their drink.
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- 17 watt mug warmer for use with coffee, tea, hot cocoa & more
- Easy to tote and take anywhere
- Surface easily wipes clean
- On/off switch with indicator light
- Longer power cord for increased mobility
Readydesk 2 – $154
The Best Affordable Standing Desk
While many writers may prefer to sit in a cozy chair, blanket, and cup of coffee at the ready, there are some out there who do their best work standing up. This not only helps improves posture but can also have a benefit to their health. The Readydesk 2 is a great option for those who may not yet be sold on the benefits of standing desks and don’t want to invest a large chunk of money either. The overall design makes it easy to set up and the real estate it uses is minimal at best. The shelves are adjustable so they can be set in just the right way.
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- Guaranteed to work. This standing desk converter is sold by the same people who make it in San Diego, California. Laptop stand and additional accessories available on the Readydesk website
- Readydesk 2 stand up desk is recognized as the first desk to give you proper posture while standing up. The independently adjustable shelves make it comfortable to work by adjusting to your body...
- Wide shelves with lots of real estate give you room for monitors, keyboards, notebooks, track pad, calculators, a mouse, etc. A sturdy base supports up to 75 lbs of equipment...that's 5X it's own...
- Featured on Business Insider, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, Slate, Casey Neistat and more
- Assembles and disassembles without tools
ARTIX Typewriter Style Backlit Keyboard – $92
The best piece of nostalgia for a writer
Weight – 2.89 lbs | Power – USB
If there is a universal symbol for writers then it has to be the typewriter. With its manual keys and the physicality that comes from imprinting text onto paper with each keystroke, there are many that even to this day prefer to write on a typewriter. For those who may not like the idea of giving up their laptops for typewriters, the Typewriter Style Backlit Keyboard from ARTIX can help them get their work done with a look to the past. With a retro typewriter feel, the keyboard can get any writer excited and with its backlit keys, can keep them writing all night long.
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- Keeps You Focused: Retro round keycap design, high-quality iron front panel with beautiful curve around is sure to help you polish off any assignment. The satisfying sound of the Artix Vintage Style...
- Works For You: Stable & Durable the Artix Keyboard is sure to hold up when you are at your bloggiest. Enhanced USB cable and Nylon connector are designed to keep you from detangling Wires. Each key is...
- Adjusts To Your Needs: Multi backlit modes are selectable but also you can DIY the backlight mode. You can adjust the backlit brightness and frequency according to your needs. The LED backlight...
- Connects To Your System: Plug & play, no drivers or software are required. Supports computer systems including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows VISTA, MAC etc.
- Your Satisfaction Guaranteed: The Artix Keyboard comes with a 1 year Hassle-Free Warranty & USA Based Customer Support. You can count on Artix!
Scrivener – $49
The best writing system for writers
While there are a lot of different writing programs available online, there is only one that writers keep coming back to and that’s the Scrivener program. For an incredibly affordable price, it provides a writer with tools that help them structure, reorganize, and recognize weaknesses in their story while they write. Writes from many different fields trust Scrivener every day with their writing and it’s safe to say that once someone tries it, they won’t go back.
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Sony WH-1000XM4 – $278
A portal to every writer’s dream – silence
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 8.95 oz | Cable length: 3.94 ft | Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz | Drivers: 1.57-inch | Driver type: Dome-type | Sensitivity: 104.5 dB | Impedance: 47 ohm | Battery life: 30 hours | Wireless range: 30 meters (98ft) | NFC: Yes
Writers can be finicky, to say the least. They like writing in either complete silence or with their favorite music playing in their ears. With the WH-1000XM4 from Sony, they can do both. The headphones sport amazing features such as multipoint pairing, autoplay/pause using a built-in sensor, and conversational awareness. With over 30 hours of battery life, the newest over-ear headphones from Sony are the best option on the market today and worth the high price that they command.
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- Industry-leading noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology
- Next-level music with Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
- Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
- Touch Sensor controls to pause/play/skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls
- Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations
ViewSonic VP2458 – $199
The best budget monitor for their new MacBook Pro
Size: 23.8 inches | Resolution: 1920×1080 | Connections: DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, USB-A x2, USB-B
While having a gigantic monitor with enough room to park a spaceship would be nice for a lot of people, a writer doesn’t need all that real estate cluttering up their desk. With the VP2458 from Viewsonic, they can get an additional 8 inches of screen space or use it as a second display with their MacBook Pro that you already got them (hint, hint). With a resolution of 1920 x 1080, it still has the chops to put a pretty picture on the screen if they want to take a break and watch a movie on Netflix.
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- PROFESSIONAL MONITOR: Full HD (1920x1080p) 60Hz SuperClear IPS monitor deliver lifelike colors perfect for graphic designers, photographers and more
- ULTIMATE COLOR ACCURACY: Screen wide 100% sRGB color coverage and Delta E<2 color accuracy deliver precise, lifelike images
- FRAMELESS DIGITAL CANVAS: A four-sided ultra-thin bezel shows off more of your masterpiece, and less of the monitor
- PRODUCTIVITY & COMFORT: Advanced ergonomics, and flicker-free technology with blue light filter help boost productivity for all-day comfort
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY: The VP2458 supports laptops, PCs, and Apple/Mac operating systems with HDMI 1.4, USB 3.1, DisplayPort and VGA inputs
AmazonBasics Backpack – $33
Perfect for carrying all of their favorite books.
Material: Canvas| Size: Fits up to a 17-inch laptop
While many writers will say that all they need is a laptop and an internet connection, you’d be surprised how much gear a writer actually has. Between notebooks, pens, books their reading, and then their tech, it can be a lot to carry around. Maybe a backpack with a padded back to help keep it comfortable and padded straps for their shoulders make it easy to use and durable. While there are other, flashier options out there, nothing beats a high-quality backpack that can stand up to whatever they put it through.
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- Large multi-compartment backpack with a padded sleeve for laptops
- Holds up to 17" notebook computer
- Mesh water bottle pockets at side
- Organizational compartments for pens, keys, and cell phone
- Internal Dimensions: 12" x 4.5" x 17.5" (LxWxH); External dimensions: 13.39 " x 7" x 19.29" (LxWxH)
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – $1049
The best smartphone for a writer. Period.
Weight: 208g | Dimensions: 164.8mm x 77.2mm x 8.1mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.9-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 3088 | CPU: Snapdragon 865+ | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | Battery: 4,500mAh | Rear camera: 108MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 10MP
Inspiration can strike a writer anywhere. Whether it’s the grocery store or while out on a run, once that lightning bolt hits them, they are in a rush to grab a pen and paper and get the idea out before it disappears. Thanks to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from Samsung, they can keep every imagined bit of genius right on their phone thanks to the S Pen stylus that allows them to write or even sketch their ideas right onto their phone. The phone also includes one of the best smartphone cameras available, capable of shooting in 8K resolution. We’re not saying that they will necessarily use that but it’s a really nice feature to have.
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- S Pen & Samsung Notes: Pen precision meets PC power with S Pen & Samsung Notes; So responsive, it feels like you're using a real pen; Jot notes, sketch ideas, then convert into Microsoft Word or...
- Intelligent Battery & Super Fast Charge: Adaptive power that meets your needs with an all-day intelligent battery that learns from how you work and play to optimize battery life; Plus, Super Fast...
- Display & Gaming: The best Galaxy mobile gaming and display experience yet; With a breathtaking screen refresh rate, adaptive Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, Galaxy 5G support & advanced processor, you get...
- HyperFast Processor: Multitask with Samsung’s fastest Note processor yet; Hyperfast process speeds transform your gaming and binging with less interruption; Catch every idea, knockout work, score...
- Point to share: With point to share technology, you can share information directly with other compatible Samsung devices; Simply select the pictures, videos or documents you want to share, then point...
BenQ Screenbar – $99
The perfect desk lamp for late-night writing sessions
Size: 18 x 4 x 4 inches | Weight: 1.17 pounds | Voltage: 5 Volts | Wattage: 5 Watts
We’ve all been there. The old, clunky adjustable desk lamps either don’t produce enough light or cause a terrible glare on the screen if it’s at the wrong angle. Well, those problems are long gone thanks to the Screenbar from BenQ. Designed to sit on top of a monitor and provide 500 lux of brightness without causing screen glare that is common with other lamps. With an auto-adjustment feature, the light adjusts automatically to keep it even and steady depending on the ambient light present in the room. While it’s not as affordable as a basic desk lamp, once you have one of these, you’ll want one for every monitor.
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- [Monitor Light/Lamp] Levels up gaming experience: Enhances immersion and focus, creates a comfortable gaming environment while playing with lights off - complements with backlight/RGB setups. Comply...
- Auto-dimming using a built-in ambient light sensor screen Bar adjusts the brightness level throughout the day for a eye-healthy workspace It can also be manually dimmed with the touch control
- Hue adjustment Adjustable color temperature to provide focus and comfort Warm light for relaxing cool light for work efficiency
- No screen glare Its asymmetrical Optical design only illuminates the desk and eliminates reflective glare off the screen found on most regular desk lamps
- Space saving breakthrough design mounts on top of the monitor saving valuable space on your desk
Apple iPad Air 4 – $749
A writer’s new best friend?
Weight: 458g | Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm | OS: iPadOS 14 | Screen size: 10.9-inch | Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels | CPU: A14 Bionic | Storage: 64GB/256GB | microSD slot: No | Battery: Up to 10 hours | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP
While not as common as using a laptop, some writers have started turning towards using tablets to write because of the portability that they offer. With the iPad Air 4 from Apple, that trend continues in an incredibly powerful tablet that is compatible with both the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. Inside its slim case, the iPad is powered by the A14 internal chipset, the same chipset that powers the new iPhone 12. And if you need further proof that the iPad Air 4 is perfect for writers, its also available
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- Stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color
- A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
- Available in Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue
Herman Miller Aeron – $1919
A great place to sit and write
We love chairs and when we find a good chair, we let everyone know about it. While there have been numerous chairs made since the Aeron from Herman Miller was first released, it is still the best chair you can buy. A design of mesh with clean lines that contour to a person’s body not only makes this a very comfortable chair but also borders on a work of art. 94% recyclable, the chair has a host of customization options and after 26 years, it is still the king of the mountain.
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- Your purchase includes One Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair – Size C, graphite color
- Chair dimensions: 43" H x 28.25" W x 18.5" D. Seat heights: 16”-20.5”.
- Tilt Limiter lets you set the recline range at one of three postures. Tension control lets you adjust the amount of effort needed to recline comfortably. Seat Angle Adjustment changes seat angle from...
- Try the Adjustable PostureFit Sacral/Lumbar support. Two individual pads flex independently and can be adjust to fit the curve of your spine
- Fully Adjustable Arms adjust from a height of 6.8” above the seat to 10.8 inches above the seat, slide backward and forward over a range of 2.5 inches, pivot 15 degrees outward and 17.5 degrees...
Kindle Oasis – $279
A great way to read in luxury
Screen size: 7-inch | Screen type: Carta E Ink | Storage: 8GB/32GB | Resolution: 300ppi | Weight: 188g | Front light: Yes | Touchscreen: Yes | Wi-Fi: Yes | 4G: Yes | Battery life: up to six weeks
Writers love to read almost as much as they love writing but you know the problem with having so many books to read? They get heavy. A great option if you know a writer that is also a voracious reader is the Oasis e-reader from Amazon. Lighter than the previous version, the Oasis has an IPX8 waterproofing rating so it can handle an accidental drop in the bathtub or puddle while walking. An adjustable backlight allows the light to be changed from white to warmer yellow hues that can help reduce the strain on their eyes. The storage options come in either 8GB or 32GB, so picking the right one may depend on how much they read but if they enjoy reading at all, this is a great gift.
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- Our best 7", 300 ppi flush-front Paperwhite display.
- Adjustable warm light to shift screen shade from white to amber.
- Waterproof (IPX8) so you can read in the bath or by the pool.
- Thin and light ergonomic design with page turn buttons.
- Reads like real paper with the latest e-ink technology for fast page turns.
On Writing by Stephen King – $12
Learn from the Jedi Master of writing
Whether they are a Stephen King fan or not, any writer deserves this book as a gift as a masterclass in writing. While the book delves into how his will to write helped him recover from the near-fatal accident that happened in 1999, it is also Writing Class 101. King’s “no bullsh**” approach to writing weaves through the book and focuses more on readability and clarity than style points and grammar. While overall, it’s a story of recovery, any writer will be earmarking pages to go back to years from now.
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- writing advice from horror-meistro Stephen King, a fine softcover
- King, Stephen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 07/06/2010 (Publication Date) - Scribner (Publisher)
Best Christmas Gifts for Writers in 2020
People who choose to write paint pictures with their words and create new worlds with every word they write. Giving a writer a gift that is not only heartfelt but understands who they are can help open those worlds and paint new pictures that people may read for generations to come. We hope that with our selections of the best Christmas gifts for writers, you have found a perfect gift for a writer in your life.
Happy Holidays!
The post Best Christmas Gifts for Writers in 2020 first appeared on JUST™ Creative.
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