Before the in-flux of posts about what to give and what to get kicks into high gear, I thought I’d write about something that doesn’t have to cost very much–gifts about writing. The idea for this came from my son the other night. After a particularly tense evening between him and his sister (and me), my son asked me for a notebook. Just an everyday, lined notebook for him to be able to jot down his thoughts and maybe the occasional doodle. I was so inspired that my digitized nine-year-old wanted such a simple creative outlet for his thoughts that it got me thinking about how some of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever gotten (and given) have been similar.

1. Taking a page (pun fully intended) from my sons book, journals make lovely personal books. My husband is a writer and one year he was given a series of empty notebooks ($4.49, Staples) that were simply labeled on the front:
– The Great American Novel || By: My Hubby Man*
– The Classic Screenplay || By: My Hubby Man*
– The Most Interesting Memoirs || By: My Hubby Man*
*real name withheld, not actual name used

2. I’ve already suggested poems and sonnets as a personal gift, and that suggestion still stands as a personal favorite, but a well written note–love, pen pal, thank you or otherwise–can become a timeless and treasured expression of how much you care.

3. One of the best gifts I gave to my mother was something I could not have given without my daughter. I enlisted the help of my (then) not-yet-one-year-old-daughter who was starting to doodle and play with crayons so I gave her a box and a white sheet of paper and let her go to town. I then got a white index card that could be mounted on her “work” and titled the card “About The Artist.” In addition to her name, I included information like:
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Word: Momma
Inspiration: Big Bird
I then got an inexpensive frame that I assembled myself and wrapped it for her. It hung in her hallway for a very long time.

4. I’ve been getting really ambitious about taking on new projects (maybe too ambitious) and I recently purchased the Treasured Moments sets for Mothers & Daughter ($38, Uncommon Goods – lead image) and Couples ($38, Uncommon Goods). These sets are about documenting moments, memories, thoughts and events from your past and present and I’ve been particularly sentimental lately. I’ll get back to you in a few weeks on my progress.

5. Indulge in some creative writing…like a really creative (maybe not as much writing), with Wreck This Journal ($15, Urban Outfitters).  Highlights include instructing the journalist to “bury this page in your neighbor’s yard” and “freeze this page.”

Related Links:
Gifts for Mother and Daughters
6 Really Cool Stationery Sites
Unique Gifts For The Love Of Your Life
10 Ideas For Holiday Cards