Gift List Time

Hello, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when the traditional holiday shopping season kicks off. For the next month, parking will be my version of The Nightmare Before Christmas. The “be of good cheer” holiday music will not be reflected on the faces of the typical stressed-out shoppers. Ironic? I think so.

Although I will NOT be going out to shop on this Black Friday, I am starting to consider gift ideas.

Books are always great presents, right? It’s almost hard to believe that there is not a book out there for every person on a gift list. Someone doesn’t like to read novels much? What about a tabletop book filled with gorgeous photos? Or a travel book, cookbook, or volume of poems. Shoot, even a blank book is great for note taking, journal writing, addresses and lists of things to remember and to do. Truly I would love to spend my shopping time in stores picking out the perfect book for each person on my list.

Book lights are wonderful inventions, I think. Ingenious, really. Want to read while others are sleeping? Or dive into a novel while others are watching some lame movie (with the lights out)? A book light is the answer.

Fun writing pens are the best. I really hope that I’m not the only one who thinks so, but, writing, editing, and revising is ten times more fun with a really cool pen or (best of all) set of pens. I'm guessing this not just a writer thing.

Fun paper such as sticky notes in all shapes and sizes, playful pads, pages in wild colors, or (my personal favorite) graph paper. Pair funky paper with some great pens for a fabulous gift for the right person.

Write on, wipe of mugs are, in my opinion, a must have. What could be better than being able to scribble lists, reminders, notes to self, and the like onto a big, fat mug holding coffee, tea, hot chocolate or some other needed sustenance?

Okay, that's all I've got so far. Feel free to add to this list. ‘Tis the time of year!