Dads are notoriously hard to shop for.
My father was always happy with tools, but then I knew that he had most of the ones he needed, so it was always difficult not to get a duplicate. Any other gift was a gamble.
This year I’m thinking about all the writers out there—those who are fathers, too. I’ve featured several here on Writing and Wellness, and I feel for the unique challenges they face. Just like moms, they struggle to balance their work life with their responsibilities as fathers while trying to fit writing in there somewhere.
If you’ve got a father, brother, or son that’s a father who’s also a writer, I’m hoping to make things a little easier for you. Below are some cool gifts I found that any writer dad will be likely to enjoy.
Happy shopping, and happy Father’s Day.
1. Writer’s Wall Clock
This is from Cafe Press, and costs $24.99.
Any writer checking out the words for the hours will get it. I especially like the “write, tea, edit, panic!” progression that happens between three o’clock and six o’clock.
Requires just one AA battery. The first one is included.
2. Red Stone Leather Journal
Let’s face it—a lot of journals are a bit “girly.” Those that aren’t are kind of plain, with simple black or brown covers. They look sort of like notebooks one might use in college, writer or not.
This one is different. Made by Rustic Town, it’s 7″ x 5″, 200 pages, and made of geniune goa leather (from goat skin).
Looks like it’s available wholesale only from the company, but I found this one for sale at SoulfulCollection.com for $30.
3. Aqua Notes
How many times do we all get ideas in the shower? Too many times to count, right?
And what a pain it is to reach out and try to scratch them down on a piece of paper while dripping water all over it.
You can solve that for Dad with Aqua Notes. These notepads are waterproof, come with suction cup holders, 40 sheets of paper, and a couple pencils, and cost about $7 each.
Let the shower ideas flow!
4. Massage
Writers commonly suffer from aches and pains in the upper back, neck, shoulders, and lower back. It’s from all that time sitting at the keyboard or hunched over a notepad.
Stress also contributes, especially the kind that appears around a deadline or book launch.
Make an appointment for dad for a much-needed massage. Let an experienced therapist knead out all those knots and watch his mood—and his creativity—improve.
5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
If the dad in your life has nowhere to go to write, and must heed the call in the midst of his family life, this may be the perfect gift.
Even if he has an office, it may not be all that soundproof, and when number-one son starts practicing his drum set, suddenly Dad’s great American novel may turn very Steven-King-esque.
You can go fancy on these—the top-of-the-line Bose type run about $250—or you can spend about half that on a pair of Plantronics or Beats by Dr. Dre. (Find PC Mag’s “Best of” here.)
6. 3,000 Classical Books
If your dad is a reader, he’ll love this. It’s only $14.95 for a USB containing 3,000 classics, including those by Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, H.G. Wells, and many more.
Simply plug and read. Available from Innovations.
Another similar idea—how about a subscription to Amazon’s Audible? Dad will have access to over 70,000 titles he can listen to on the way to work or while working out.
7. Healthy Snacks
Writers snack.
We need that fuel to keep the ideas coming while we’re typing. Unfortunately, the snacks are often unhealthy. They can expand our waistlines while expanding our word count.
Not good.
How about getting Dad a subscription to Nature Box, a company that makes and delivers to your home healthy snacks? You can choose the type that would best benefit Dad’s health.
High-protein snacks, for instance, or high-fiber. The company has “less than 150 calories” for those that need to watch their weight, or low-sodium for those watching their blood pressure.
You can also choose according to Dad’s preferences. There are fruit & nut bars, chips, pretzels, popcorn, baked treats, and even vegan options. They don’t have high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils, and are made from real ingredients.
Choose how many snacks you want per box, and your delivery frequency. Investing in Dad’s health is a good choice, for sure.
Can’t afford the delivery? Try making your own by putting some healthy things like nuts, raisins, whole-grain crackers, and dark chocolate pieces up in small plastic bags that Dad can easily use while writing.
8. Standing Desk
Speaking of health, have you thought of a standing desk?
Sitting is the new smoking. Standing all the time isn’t the answer either, but alternating between the two—sitting and standing—is a lot better than doing either all day long while writing.
A standing desk would help Dad get up out of the chair more often, creating a healthier day overall. There are options to suit every budget, from the most economical types you can break down and take with you (great for traveling writers) to those that move up and down at the touch of a button.
Find more about your options here.
9. Starbucks Gift Card
There may be some writers out there who don’t drink coffee, but they’re not in the majority.
Chances are, your dad likes a nice hot cup when sitting down to type. Or in the morning after a late night of edits. Or when taking a break at noon to get a few pages in. Or after work to pick himself up for an evening of creativity.
You get the idea. Coffee lovers love their coffee, and would be thrilled with a gift card that lets them choose their favorite brew.
10. The War of Art
What writers need most of all is motivation and a reason to believe in themselves.
Writer extraordinaire Steven Pressfield penned the pinnacle of motivational books when it comes to writing. This one won’t coddle Dad, but will instead give him a good swift kick in the pants to help him get over any “resistance” that’s slowing him down.
The Kindle version is only $9.99—a definite bargain for the guidance available here.
If he’s already got a copy, find some other inspirational titles at Lifehack and Write to Done. A stack of books in a basket or box are guaranteed to make any writer Dad smile.
Do you know of the perfect gift for a dad who’s also a writer? Please share your ideas with our readers.