I create a holiday gifts for bloggers (and writers) list each year because I hate lists of holiday gifts for bloggers. Seriously. As someone who once received a paper shredder for Christmas (Sorry to keep bringing that up honey, but it was a paper shredder for goodness sakes), I can tell you that practical is boring and just because someone blogs or writes for a living doesn’t mean you can’t step it up a little with the gifts. We can only receive so many books or journals. So when I create lists of holiday gifts for bloggers and writers, it’s mostly because I’m frustrated with the lack of creativity suggested by others.
Here’s my list, which I hope has sort of a balance between practical and fluffy.
Also? If you ARE giving your wife a paper shredder for Christmas, my suggestion is to wrap it with some bling. Otherwise she’ll blog about it every year.
21 Awesome Holiday Gifts for Bloggers
Disclosure: Some of these are affiliate links.
1. iPad
Now I know I’m not the only geek who has an iPad at the top of her Christmas list. Sleek and compact, this puppy travels well. Use it on a plane and carry it to conferences rather than lugging the laptop. I can probably think of about 800 reasons for wanting and iPad for the holidays. Let’s hope Mr. Ng can take this very subtle hint.
2. Kindle
For the record, the Kindle Wireless Reading Device has been the best birthday gift ever. I can read as many books as I want without cluttering up my end tables, and carry reading material around without breaking my shoulder. I can play Scrabble, read blogs, ebooks and magazines and even use the Kindle app to read using my Droid, and iPad and iPhone.
3. Web Hosting
Web hosting can get expensive, especially if you have to upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server. Show the blogger in your life you care by picking up the hosting tab for a specified amount of time. He or she will be so grateful.
4. Gift cards
Whether it’s for coffee, tunes, the Kindle or clothes, we love gift cards. They enable us to have exactly what we want for the holidays, and no returns.
5. Flash drives and external hard drives
You’re right! Flash drives are boring and practical. However, they make excellent stocking stuffers for geeks and we don’t hate them.
6. Coffee and related items
Maybe your favorite blogger could use a one cup coffee maker in his office, or maybe she’d like a pound of pumpkin spice coffee to have any time she wants. Bloggers love coffee. You could do a lot worse than a Starbucks gift card.
7. Conference pass
Let’s face it, at $500 – $1200 a ticket, plus airfare and hotel, it costs serious coin to attend a conference. You really want to get the blogger in your life a special gift? Send him to his favorite conference.
8. Laptop desk
If your favorite blogger spends a lot of time blogging in bed or from the living room couch, consider presenting her with a Laptop Desk . It eliminates the awkward balancing, as well as overheated knees.
9. Flip camera
I love my Flip UltraHD Video Camera
10. Donations to Charitable Organizations
A donation in someone else’s name is a gift that gives more than once. Donate to a blogger’s favorite charity as he or she is sure to be touched by the gesture.
11. Gym membership
When you sit on your butt all day, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to work out. If it’s someone else’s dime, you’re more inclined to show up at the gym each day. Encourage your favorite blogger to stay fit with a membership for a gym or exercise class.
12. Comfy desk chair
As someone who works from an old kitchen chair pulled up to a folding table, I can tell you than an Ergonomic Office Chair would be welcome.
13. Social media jewelry
Name one blogger who wouldn’t want to wear her Twitter handle. I know, you can’t. These goodies come from Survival of the Hippest, and, yes, that’s where I ordered mine.
14. Books
Now that bloggers are becoming authors, there’s a lot of good reading out there. Some of my recommendations include: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
15. Blog Custom Theme
It’s difficult for a new blogger to truly inject her personality into a blog because custom themes are so expensive. Give the thoughtful gift of a custom blog theme and watch her reap the rewards.
16. Courses, ebooks
Present your favorite blogger with a homemade gift certificate enabling him to take courses or purchase ebooks created by one of his blogging heroes. This may not have been something he could afford on his own and he’ll appreciate receiving the tools he needs to get ahead.
17. Child care
Why would a blogger who works at home need child care? Because it’s really difficult to work at home and tend to a child’s needs at the same time. (Ask the folks at BlogWorld about constant interruptions from my son, for example.) We work at home to be there for our kids, but sometimes we also need quiet time for a conference call or to meet a deadline and a babysitter sure would come in handy.
18. A night out on the town
All work and no play makes bloggers dull, dull, dull. Surprise them with dinner out, concert tickets, a trip to a sporting event or a day at a museum or the theater.
19. Pro accounts & Private forum memberships
Maybe your favorite blogger wants to join Third Tribe or subscribe to the Scribe SEO plugin. Give them the gift of awesome for the holidays.
20. Coaching session with a well known authority
Many top bloggers and social media professionals offer one on one coaching. There’s no better way to get ahead than by learning from the best and brightest stars in our world.
21. Magazine subscriptions
I enjoy my subscription to Wired but I’d enjoy it even more if someone else paid for it.
Thoughts?
Hopefully this list doesn’t suck and there are some useful and both practical and impractical suggestions for bloggers. And here’s your chance to weigh in. What is your recommendation for the ideal holiday gift for a blogger?
