1. Calendar. Make it funny, inspirational, or pithy. Choose a desk, wall, or my personal favorite, a mouse pad calendar. Check out those cute little kiosks in your local mall or retailers such as Hallmark, Wal-Mart, Staples, or Office Depot for a variety of styles to choose from.
2. Professional Membership. Okay, this might get pricey but if your favorite editor is a freelancer, a gift such as this might be just the thing they need to help them advance professionally through networking, educational seminars, and regular meetings.
3. Magazine Subscription. Check out writing magazines such as Writer’s Digest or Poets and Writers. Don’t forget industry-specific, business, or news publications such as Forbes, or Time. Inspire them with subscriptions to such magazines as Guideposts or Reader’s Digest. Or, add a little fun and choose a magazine about their favorite hobby.
4. Music CD or DVD. Maybe you just happen to know that your editor of choice loves unwinding with action movies or cleaning house to an oldies CD. Expose them to a new artist or movie in the same general genre they enjoy. A gift subscription to Blockbuster or Netflix is another good option.
5. Books. Okay, this is a no-brainer. No clue what they want? Gift cards are the perfect solution.
6. A Hobby-related gift. Think photography, scrapbooking, athletics(running, biking, organized sports), or some unique pasttime that you know they enjoy. Search for equipment, tools, or supplies that would help make doing their hobby more enjoyable, safe, or rewarding.
7. Fun office supplies. Try designer binder clips, funky notepads, psychedelic pencils, unusually shaped rubber bands, colorful staples--anything that you know will brighten your recipient’s work day.
8. A “Gift of-the-Month” Club. Send anything from fruit, desserts or flowers to coffee, perfume, or pasta.
9.Online classes. Help your recipient acquire new or sharpen existing skills from the comfort of their own home by paying for them to enroll in an online class of their choosing.
10. Services. Think massage, mini-makeover, or a simple pedicure and manicure. Are they always complaining about the clutter in their office? Call a professional organizer to help de-clutter their office. Try a practical gifts such as a car wash or an errand service.
11. Gift card. Call it the easy way out if you want but it can be a true lifesaver, particularly when you’re buying for the writer/editor who has everything or have completely run out of time. Save yourself even more time by checking out the gift card display now available at many grocery and drug stores.
