A word of warning: when you brand yourself a certain way, people tend to purchase you gifts in connection with that particular passion.

For example, my husband is a big baseball fan. Not only did he play throughout high school and college, he has now coached at both of those levels as well. For six months of the year, when he is not with us at home, my husband eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. Typically for Christmas, his gifts reflect this passion. Goodies for the dugout like sunflower seeds, extra chapstick and a heated shirt to protect him from the brisk spring breezes and gloves thin enough to allow him to keep book during the game, but warm enough to keep his fingers from freezing off. (Spring baseball in the Midwest can really be a beast!) This year he even got a cup made from the barrel of a baseball bat!

Similarly, I found myself inundated with gifts to make my word nerd heart happy. In case you are also a bibliophile, a story-enthusiast, an office supply junkie or a writer-sort-of soul, I’ve decided to share my gifts here. Grab your gift cards and Christmas cash so you can swoop up some of these great items. Or, you can bookmark this page, so that next year around the holidays, you can have a head start on your list.

** Sometimes I add items to my Amazon cart when I see them, and then click “save for later”. This way I have an on-going wish list ready to roll. 😊

2020 Writer’s Digest Page a Day Calendar

I am a BIG fan of page a day calendars. For the past few years I’ve not only enjoyed the daily doses of inspiration, but also, torn off the pages and mailed them to people I think could benefit from the wise words shared. I am especially excited to dive into this writing-focused version in 2020. Thank you Jen!

Author Planner

I love planners. I love setting goals and keeping track of my progress. Just as I said above with the calendar, I am really looking forward to trying out a version that is specifically for authors. I’ll use this for a few weeks before I weigh in on how it’s working for me, and then I’ll be sure to update you on how it’s going. So, stay tuned! Thank you Mom and Dad!

Canva Pro Subscription

I’m addicted to Canva. Like, for real. I use this graphic design website on a near daily basis. With its intuitive format and extensive font/graphic library, I design blog banners, social media posts, teaching materials, graphics for my website, not to mention items for personal use like birthday invitations, cards, rummage sale flyers and more. This website is helpful, and it makes me look good. It’s also fun. So, fun. For the past few years I have been operating on the FREE version, which is fine, but this year, for Christmas, my husband and sons gave me a gift certificate to upgrade to the pro version… with even more fonts and graphics, additional branding tools and organizational folders. I can’t wait to create even cooler content! Click the ad/graphic below to give it a try yourself. Thanks boys!

The Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader

This beautiful book was gifted to me by my uncle… a person who reads even more books that I do. From one story lover to another, these words and the illustrations that accompany them, are truly a treasure that I will keep near my bedside for a long time to come. I’m certain that when I get done reading it, I’ll start at the beginning again. Thank you Uncle Tom! (And Aunt Sue!)

Audible Subscription

I listen to about 50% of the books I read. (Last year my grand total was 27 books, 15 paper versions and 12 audiobooks.) Since I devoted more time to writing, it left less time for reading. After a while I missed stories, the ones made up by other people. So, I turned to audiobooks. I now listen to stories while I drive, exercise, scrub my floors and fold laundry. I know I could get them for free from the library or overdrive.com, but I’m not all that patient when it comes to books. I want to read what I want to read, when I want to read it. (This is why I am more of a bookstore kinda girl too.) So, audible indulges me… and so will this new subscription. One book a month, throughout 2020. Thanks Matt, Kam and Riley!

My Weekend is Booked Tote

My co-worker got me this cute tote bag for our holiday gift exchange. She knows that I tend to carry each book in progress and every project notebook with me at all times… just in case I get the urge to read or work on one of them. But who knows which one that will be? I MUST HAVE THEM ALL WITH ME! Thus, despite my nerdy state of mind, I’m actually rather buff (and have back problems) thanks to bags like this that let me haul my literary life around with me wherever I go. Now, I’ll be able to accomplish this feat in style. Thanks Alissa!

Zephyr Rapid Lettering

Back before we had computers and in home printers, people had to hand letter everything. Think, those fancy picture boards you see of graduating classes or confirmands. Each of those names, hand written, but looking so perfect! My guess is that in addition to damn-good penmanship, the inscriber used a tool like the Zephyr Rapid Letter System. My uncle bought this for me for the bargain price of $2 at a rummage sale. While I’ll probably stick with Canva for most of my lettering needs, this vintage beauty will find a home on my office writing shelf and make me smile. Thanks Clemmer!

I know you’re thinking it, so I’ll just say it. I was spoiled this year.

I am so grateful for all of the gifts in my life, writing or tangible or otherwise. I’m grateful to you as well, for reading my weekly writing escapades and hope you continue on with me in this new year. Trust me when I say I’ve got a lot of good things in store.

Now go on, treat yourself.

Also, if you got a word nerd gift of your own, PLEASE, tell me in the comments below. It’s never too early for me to start making my list for next year, plus, my birthday in April is coming…

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