If you’ve been trying to come up with some great gift ideas for aspiring authors you could ask your family for, then you’ve come to the right place, my friend! Today, I’m going to share 19 great presents for children’s book authors with you that you can share with your loved ones.
These are my favorite purchases I’ve made this year that I bought specifically for the times I’m working on my own children’s books or those of my ghostwriting clients. I have mentioned a few of these before, and if you didn’t have a chance to get them yet, now might be the perfect time to ask for these, whether it’s for your birthday, Christmas, or some other major milestones you’re celebrating.
These gift ideas are…
- Specifically picked for you – an amazingly creative Children’s Book Author
- Meant to support you on your journey to becoming a Children’s Book Author
- Meant to support you in your growth as a Children’s Book Author
- At varying price points, so there’s something for everyone
- In short, these are perfect to ask for anytime during the year
The Best Gift Ideas for Aspiring Authors
1. Soy Candles (to get you into ‘writing mood’)
I light a candle every night whenever I’m working on one of my books. I make sure to always use soy candles, because soy wax burns much cleaner and results in less black soot compared to regular candles. If you’ve been experiencing a sore throat when sitting next to a candle, it might be time to switch to soy wax too. It really made such a big difference for me.
These soy candles right here are my absolutely favorite, mainly because:
- they smell heavenly (8 different scents)
- each beautiful tin jar has its own unique design
- each candle lasts for hours
2. Motivational Water Bottle (my new constant companion)
I’m one of those people that keeps forgetting to hydrate. This water bottle was on my Christmas list last year, and I’ve been doing so much better ever since I started using it.
The reason this one works so well for me (while so many others didn’t) is that it has motivational quotes and time markers on it that help me stay on track. I chose the frosted mint green version, and I love it.
3. Wall Mural (to turn my books into a piece of art)
This peel & stick wall mural is one of my favorite purchases this year. I got the smaller version for my office (66 x 96 in) and added some trimming along the edges. Then I took three 36 inch long floating shelves, painted them white, and placed them in the center of the mural wall.
It looks beautiful and is such a wonderful way to display a few of my books. It is now the new focal point of my office and makes me so happy every time I walk into this room.
4. Blue-Light Blocking Glasses (to prevent tired eyes)
If you haven’t considered wearing blue-light blocking glasses yet when you’re working on a computer (or any type of screen, really), I’d encourage you to wear them!
I’m looking at a screen quite a lot every day, so I wanted to make sure I protect my eyes. I have this pink and inexpensive pair right here, but they really come in all sorts of fun shapes and sizes these days!
5. A To-Do List (biggest game changer this year!)
This “tool” has been a surprising game changer for me this year! It’s a pack of 100 index-like cards with pre-printed check-off boxes.
BEFORE I go to bed each night, I write out what I plan on doing the next day; my tasks, so to speak. That way, I know right away what I get to do each day when looking at it the next morning. These are mostly writing-related tasks (e.g. what part of the book to work on, what article to write, what video to record, etc.), but you could use them for errands and other important get-to-do items as well.
I’m a bit of a procrastinator sometimes, so this has helped me so much!
6. Let It Be Easy (my favorite read this year!)
See how I wrote “get to do” (instead of “have to do”) when I was describing the To-Do index cards above? Well, that’s something I learned in my absolute favorite book I read this year, called Let It Be Easy by Susie Moore.
This book is filled with motivating and wonderfully refreshing wisdom, and each chapter is super short, so I’ve been able to read a page or two here and there throughout my busy days. Packed with gems, this book is such a treasure.
7. “Autographed Copy” Stickers (this adds such a nice touch)
I love adding these little stickers to the front cover of my books. It gives it such a nice touch and official feel. They come in different shapes (oval or round) and colors (gold or silver). This pack of 1008 gold-foil stickers right here is extremely affordable, so I’m a repeat customer for sure.
8. ID Case Wallet (my little business card hack)
I wanted to add this handy-dandy little zipper case, because this has been the best way I’ve found to carry my business cards with me, without having to stuff them into my wallet.
These little zipper cases come in many beautiful designs and are easily attached to a keychain, which is where/ how I carry mine. It is also a fantastic conversation starter, because anytime someone comments on it, I hand them one of my cards, which then leads me to telling them that I write children’s books.
9. Mini Bath Bombs (my personal relaxation “technique”)
These are not for my office per se, but I wanted to share these mini bath bombs with you because I love adding them to my bath. They help me so much during my creative stage, when I’m sitting in my bubbly bubble bath to come up with a story idea for one of my own books or those of my ghostwriting clients.
These mini bath bombs are natural and organic, so they can be used for little ones as well. My boys’ favorite scent is “Happy Farm,” and mine is “Lemon & Green Tea.” This smell is wonderfully relaxing.
10. Hammock (my mini vacation at home)
Speaking of relaxing…
I gifted myself this beautiful hammock after I reached a highly anticipated milestone of mine as a children’s author. I have always wanted a hammock like this! It’s so comfortable, comes with two pillows, and even has a little pocket sewn into it that is big enough to hold a book or two. I love the design and it is such a wonderful addition to my back porch.
11. Laptop Stand (this saves my neck daily)
I personally don’t own a PC and only use a laptop for all my work. But when sitting at my desk, I like to prop it up on this stand to bring the screen of my laptop closer to my eye level. That way, I don’t have to look down all day long, and my neck doesn’t end up being all stiff.
To prop it up, I’m using this laptop stand right here. It is offered in multiple color options – mine is pink gold.
So if you work on your laptop a lot and often have a stiff neck, I highly recommend using a laptop stand like this one!
12. Wireless Keyboard (also saves my neck on a daily basis)
Along with the laptop stand, I also got this wireless keyboard and comes with a mouse as well. It is small, very light, and extra quiet. This too comes in multiple different colors.
It fits perfectly below my laptop that is atop the stand. That way, the screen is at eye level, while the keyboard is where it normally would be. This laptop stand and keyboard combo has saved me from so many headaches and stiff neck that I used to get whenever I worked too much on my laptop. (Can you guess what color I got?)
13. Webcam Cover (a little peace of mind)
This might just be me, but adding this little layer of protection that I personally and physically control has given me so much peace. This is a simple sticker that is placed over the computer/ laptop camera. It’s really thin, so it won’t interfere with the closing of your laptop.
It has a little slider attached to it, so whenever you want to use your camera, simply move the slider to the side to open your webcam.
This particular one right here comes as a pack of three, and is available in many different colors.
14. Turmeric Ginger Tea (my new yummy)
I normally drink way too much coffee, especially when I’m writing. And that’s why I was so glad when I discovered this Tumeric/ Ginger tea this year. This one is so delicious! Sometimes I love adding some creamer and some Matcha powder, just to switch it up a bit.
15. Foot Massager Roller (my stress-relief tool)
My little desk setup wouldn’t be complete without this relaxing foot massage roller. The wooden massager boosts circulation with its different types of acupressure nubs. And the arched design mirrors the natural curvature of the feet, which makes it extra comfortable.
16. Side Table (my very own convertible)
This side table is one of my two bigger purchases this year. But it was so worth it, because it allows me to move my writing to my much more comfortable armchair (see below) to take a break from my regular desk every once in a while. I love it, because it conveniently changes from a desk-like setup to a regular side table, while also providing me with some extra storage space. I love convertible pieces like this!
17. Fabric Tufted Chair (a little vacation for my behind)
This arm chair gives my derrière a much needed break, especially toward the end of the day. It combines the classic Oxford chair style with unique and modern stitching and button tufts. The size of this chair isn’t too big, which makes it perfect for my little office space.
This is also the chair my boys snuggle up in whenever they come into my office and read a book (sometimes even one of my books).
18. Your Children’s Book Writing Guide (taking you from A to Z)
This little list of gift ideas for aspiring authors of children’s books wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my book How To Self-Publish a Children’s Book.
In this book, I’ve outlined the precise path to fulfilling your dream of becoming a published children’s book author. You will find everything you need to know to write, illustrate, publish, and market your paperback and ebook.
19. Publisher Rocket (still my favorite children’s author tool)
This is still my favorite tool for children’s authors, so I wanted to make sure to include it here as well. I have written more extensively about this Publisher Rocket in this article right here, but the reason I find this particular tool so incredibly valuable, is because I can use it throughout the ENTIRE book creation process, no matter what phase I’m in.
So if you want to invest in an author tool then this should be the one. Because I truly believe in its incredible applicability! To me, it truly is the best tool for children’s book authors!
My Favorite Part of my Annual Gift Ideas Guide:
These gift ideas for aspiring authors wouldn’t be complete without at least a few beautiful children’s books authored by some of my own readers, students, and clients. My boys own all four, and they are absolutely adorable. So if you’re looking to get some extra inspiration and perhaps even support a fellow children’s book author, here are four wonderful options for you.
I loved sharing my favorite purchases I made this year with you. If you bought something that is near and dear to your heart and relates to your children’s book writing, and you’d like to share, I would love to hear from you. Happy creating, my sweet friend!
~ Eevi