If you’re not a writer (or even if you are), you probably know a writer – or at least follow a few on social media. So while you’re putting the finishing touches on your holiday gift-buying (or if you’re one of those ones who hasn’t started yet), I’m here to offer you a few tips on how to give the best gifts to those writers in your life. And some of these gifts won’t even cost you any money! Here are some ideas:

Buy their Books

Okay, this one might cost you a little money. But it’s money well spent. For sometimes less money than you just spent on your peppermint mocha drink, you can download an ebook and get hours of entertainment. It’s not a big deal for you, but trust me, for us writers, selling a book and providing information or enjoyment to one person is a big deal.

Review their Books

This is the next step you should do after reading the book. Truly, sometimes us authors appreciate a decent review even more than an actual sale. It only take a minute or two of your time, but it’s a great gift.

Leave them Alone and Let them Write

This is another big deal gift for writers that costs you no money to give. If you have a family member or close friend who’s a writer, give them the gift of solitude. Not all during the holidays – because whether we writers like it or not, we do need to socialize occasionally. But if your writer friend or spouse wants to leave the Christmas party an hour early, humor them.

Don’t ask them How their Book is Going

This is a great gift that’s super easy for you to give, because it requires you to do absolutely nothing. That’s right – don’t ask your writer friend how their writing is going or when their book will be finished. Believe me, we writers ask ourselves these questions all the time – and we usually have no satisfying answer. We’d really love it if you could just avoid the subject.

Buy them Pens and Journals and Such

If you want to wrap a package to put under the tree for your writer loved one, then thick journals and fancy pens are always fun. Even writers who exclusively use a computer or who write only with dull pencils in spiral notebooks appreciate these classy writerly gifts.

So there you have it! Now go forth and give every writer you know one of these amazing gifts!