With less than a week to go before Christmas, in one of the strangest years in over a century, you’ll be forgiven if you’ve waited until the last minute to get that perfect gift for the writer, the reader, or the creative in your life.
Luckily, even in these times of difficulty, there’s adventure, knowledge, and joy in the pages of books new and old. There’s also a little of that adventure, knowledge, and joy in the books that some of us have started this year.
It might be too late for some gifts to arrive in time to stick under the tree–but that doesn’t mean you can’t make sure that what arrives, WHEN it arrives, inspires creativity, hope, and happiness. To help with that, we’ve put together a shortlist of amazing gifts for the holiday season.
- Help Them Get Organized with the Bibliophile 2021 12-Month Planner from Chronicle Books!
From the website:“The ultimate weekly planner for bibliophiles!Jane Mount’s joyful illustrations of literary treasures and other book miscellany adorn this charming, gorgeous agenda. Each week features a spot illustration and some fun literary trivia, including anniversary dates of important literary people and milestones, and every month opens with one of Mount’s iconic book stacks. There’s even space for avid readers to record what they’re reading every month. Packaged in an elegant hardcover format, with useful features like tabs and month-at-a-glance pages, this planner brings bookish beauty to every day of the year.”
- Support Local Bookstores:
Local bookstores always need your support. I know it’s easy to get online and order from the giant corporate retailers, especially during a pandemic. But, once the pandemic is over you’ll be glad to have independent local bookstores to browse again. I’ve included three of my personal favorites from the area.
Each store is independent, locally owned, and devoted to their communities. Whether you’re looking for books, games, or literary-themed socks, you’ll find plenty for your creative loved-ones at any of these stores–all while supporting local businesses.
- Get them Games that Promote Storytelling:
Chances are, even if you’ve never played a tabletop game of Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, or Fallout–you’ve heard of at least one role-playing game.
Role-playing creates the opportunity to fire up your imagination, embody strange characters in heightened situations, and to solve complex problems in abstract ways.
And, while it’s tough to recommend a traditional game where you invite friends over and sit around the table–at least right now, there are several amazing options for remote gaming that are ideal for both the novice and the seasoned gamer.
If you’re a seasoned gamer, you might consider firing up Zoom or Skype and playing a game via video chat. But, for a little more direction you might consider a website like Roll20.
The site has a robust set of tools that can handle everything from map and character displays to statistics trackers, virtual dice, and ready-to-play adventure modules in the marketplace.Oh! And, if you’re a D&D loving parent looking for a great way to get younger kids into the hobby, look no further than No Thank You Evil!, a game designed by decades-long industry veteran Monte Cooke specifically to help kids ages 5-and-up dip their toes into the role-playing waters.
From the Site:
“No Thank You, Evil! is a tabletop game of creative make-believe, adventure, and storytelling. In No Thank You, Evil!, you create a character based on a couple of cool, descriptive, imagination-firing traits. The Guide (a special role often played by a parent or older sibling) presents a dilemma, and the players set off on an adventure of the imagination. Along the way, you use your character’s special skills, companions, and equipment to overcome obstacles. Maybe you’ll rescue a friend from Dragonsnot Falls, save the world’s biggest adventure park from an ancient curse, or fix Whizbang’s broken time machine before it’s too late! Whatever you choose, you’re sure to solve mysteries, gain friends, confront bad guys, and have a wild adventure!” - Check Out Amazing Work From Your Friends and Peers!
A lot of the teachers and peers that you’ve interacted with here at the Writing Barn have some great books available this holiday season. We only have space to list a handful, but everyone on this list is a current member of the Writing Barn family (as a teacher, a fellow, or a staff member).
1. Rebekah Manley‘s Debut Picture Book for Grown-Ups, Alexandra and the Awful, Awkward, No Fun, Truly Bad Dates
2. Nicholas Solis‘ self-illustrated children’s book Staring Contest is available from Peter Pauper Press.
3. Writing Barn Youth Director Evan Griffith‘s new book Secrets of the Sea doesn’t hit shelves until March, but you can pre-order it now.
4. Writing Barn Founder Bethany Hegedus‘ sports-themed bedtime story (which I got for my nephew this year over at Lark & Owl in Georgetown), Huddle Up! Cuddle Up!
5. Courage to Create staffer and Barn teacher Lisa Katzenberger has her new book It Will Be OK available for pre-order over at Indie Bound. - Get them the Gift of Creativity and Choice with a Writing Barn Gift Card!
If you’re reading this blog there’s a good chance you’re a friend of the Barn. I hope you’re a friend of the Barn because you’ve taken something important away from the time you’ve spent with us. Whether your positive time here was through yoga, writing, editing, illustration, or just the community, it’s rewarding to think that your experience with us may have helped you grow at all as a writer or a person.
If you ARE here because of that sort of joyous experience then you know, more deeply than I could describe, what the Writing Barn has to offer to the aspirational writer or creative.
What better way to ring in 2021 than by watching the writer in your life start the class that leads to their first novel, picture book, or poem? Pick out the perfect class for them, or stuff their stocking with a gift card and let them choose the next step in their literary journey.
Whatever you choose–and however late you chose it–we hope you have an amazing holiday season. Stay safe, be smart, and please stay inside and curl up with a book if you need adventure–at least for a few more months.
About Steven Kilpatrick:
Steven Kilpatrick is a freelance writer and journalist from Oak Cliff, Texas. He earned his BA in sociology and his MA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of North Texas. During his time at UNT he wrote about sports and entertainment for the North Texas Daily, and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the North Texas Review.Since graduating in 2015, Steven has worked as a beat reporter covering the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks (and currently has a weekly column with Sports Illustrated). When it’s not on hiatus, he’s also editor of The Writing Barn’s Porchlight: Craft and Community Newsletter.