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Practical, interesting and cheap ideas, whether it's writing novels or writing songs.

Writing can be painful-every writer knows this. (People who claim that writing is easy are not credible.) But if you have the right tools, the right environment, and the right headspace for creativity and productivity, writing will be much easier and more fun.

To find out which gifts are on the writer’s wish list, we asked writing professionals in different fields to recommend the essentials and non-essentials they use every day—or the gifts they really want this year. The reporters, reporters and authors we interviewed (including some Good Housekeeping’s own editors) recommend everything from the best pens and notebooks to coffee gifts, technology gifts and health gifts, whether it’s a long day on the keyboard or relaxing afterwards body and mind. This series of best gifts for writers also includes affordable gifts, productivity tools, and many top test products from the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Remember what kind of writer you are looking for. While journalists and reporters may like calendars, planners, and notebooks that can be carried around when the equipment is too cumbersome or intrusive, graduate students and feature writers need the right settings and tools to work at home for several days. (Although some people like technical tools, others may prefer to write things with pen and paper).

Regardless of their enthusiasm, there is always a gift for them.

For more Christmas ideas, check out the Good Butler Holiday Guide 2021 for holiday decoration ideas, Christmas games and activities, holiday recipes and popular gift ideas.

Leuchtturm1917 produced the author's favorite standard hardcover notebook, available in ruled, dot matrix, blank and grid paper versions. This special "Rising Colors" series has sunrise tones and can inspire your favorite writers, whether they are jot down lyrics, create their own plan or write the next great American novel. They will never have too much on hand.

When they are engrossed (or trying to meet deadlines), they can use the stylish and high-performance Ember Smart Mug 2 to keep coffee or tea at the perfect temperature. There is no longer a need for a cold, forgotten cup. 

Reading — and reading a lot — will help them grow as a writer more than anything else. Give them a Bookshop.org gift card and they can use it to shop online from hundreds of participating local booksellers across the country. This is a great way for them to choose their next reading while supporting the local bookstore.

Sara Hendricks, a senior editor at the credit card company Ness, said: "No matter what I do to stop it, whenever I sit down and write, I can't help but shrug." 

"I do some yoga or Pilates on this yoga mat every morning, trying to counter the effects of my hunchback. It is thick and heavy, and just enough to support my joints without softening too much to make me trip.​​ Pour. I also stand when I use a standing desk."

Related: 8 best yoga mats, according to top yoga and health experts

"If I'm thirsty, I can't write, but if I keep getting up and filling my glass, I can't write either," Hendricks said. "When I start a new day, having a liter of water next to me helps prevent thirst, and I can distract myself by using the Brita filter in the kitchen several times a day."

For relaxation after writing, Hendricks recommends this aromatherapy mixture for the vagus nerve, which is said to help regulate the relationship between the brain and the intestines. 

"When I feel really tired after staring at the screen for a whole day, smelling something good-such as this blend of essential oils-can help," she said. "The brand recommends rubbing it into your hand, holding them up, and spraying the oil, but I usually just pat it on my wrists and behind my ears to let the smell drift away."

A writer always needs a good pen. "About four years ago, I received this pen as a gift, and its life span is a little more than half of the promised life," Hendricks said. "It can be written easily without graffiti, and it will never dry out or leave ink stains."

"No writer I know does not have some form of chronic low back pain," said Wilson Wong, a culture reporter for NBC News. "This heated back brace has more effect on my lumbar spine than all my chiropractors combined."

Speaking of fountain pens, Wong recommends MUJI's popular (and recognized by Good Housekeeping) gel pens. He said: "For ten years, this baby has been the main tool for my writing utensils-and still slides on paper like Guan Yingshan." This pen was also named the best gel pen during our rest. 

Related: According to reviewers, 15 best pens for back to school and beyond

Wong also suggested giving away Aesop's signature hand sanitizer. "If you care about the hands of your writer friends in winter," he said, "this is a cleanser that exfoliates, fragrances and moisturizes."

Giving them a luxurious candle that reminds people of old books, leather chairs and a cozy morning may inspire them. "If you want to splurge, this smoky leather scented candle is the perfect wick for any activity, whether it's writing, bathing or sleeping," Wong said.

Work with planners to help them complete their tasks on time. Nicole Papantoniou, deputy director of the Kitchen Appliance Laboratory of the Good Housekeeping Institute, recommended this blue sky planner. She said: "I like its slimness, which can fit in a backpack or purse, but it has a monthly and weekly calendar, and there is enough space to shorten the deadline and to-do list."

Papantoniou also recommended a good portable battery pack, such as Mophie Powerstation Plus XL, suitable for busy writers working in coffee shops, festivals, airplanes and trains.

Related: The top 7 battery packs keep your gadgets running

Another charging solution for writers is this bamboo-wood charging station, which has a designated place for iPhone and smart watches. It does not come with any charging chords, so just make sure they are readily available.

Beautify their desk space with a pre-potted succulent garden.

Or keep them comfortable as they walk around the house, trying to put on some popular, fluffy slippers.

TV Guide writer Allison Picurro (Allison Picurro) recommends using Skims homewear when working from home. “When I first bought this lounge last year, I was skeptical about Skims, but it disappointed me,” she said. "It's comfortable and not too clumsy. I have reason to recommend it to everyone."

"I live in a small apartment, somehow I have worked at home for 20,000 years, and I still don't have a place to work," Picuro said. "Laptop desk sounds good, and it’s easier to carry on your back. That’s the most important thing."

If you can splurge on your favorite author, consider sending a great pair of noise-canceling headphones. "I live on a very noisy street, so I have been trying to flood it, and I am also one of those people who always need music to concentrate," Piccurro explained. "The noise reduction effect of my AirPods is not as good as I want, so this year I almost begged someone to buy me a pair of headphones like this."

Related: According to technologists, the 10 best noise-canceling headphones in 2021

Picurro also covets one of the best sunrise lights on the market. "I have always had a hard time falling asleep, and I'm not a person who likes to get up early, which means I'm always struggling to wake up," she said. "I read somewhere that Suki Waterhouse uses this sun lamp as a gentler way of awakening himself, which is enough for me. Anything that makes this process less painful."

Related: According to experts and critics, the 10 best sunrise alarm clocks of 2021

For technically minded writers (and students who need a lot of handwritten notes), Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and engineering director of the Good Housekeeping Institute, recommends giving away a top-tested smart pen like Livescribe Symphony. The pen digitizes handwritten notes and drawings, and the app also records audio synchronized with the notes.

Related: According to tech experts, you can buy the 7 best smartpens in 2021

For more traditional pen-to-paper writing needs, Rothman recommends the ergonomic Dr. Grip pen. According to Pilot, Dr. Grip is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation, and according to online critics, it is "the best handwriting solution for patients with hand problems."

In order to reduce eye fatigue after hours of reading or writing, Rothman recommends giving away a high-quality desk lamp with adjustable lighting settings. OttLite Prevention is a collaboration with health experts from Prevention Magazine and is supported by the seal of good housekeeping. 

Some of our best writing happens when we are not sitting at our desks. "I personally hang this waterproof paper in my shower room because there are so many great ideas there," Rothman said. 

If you want to make them laugh and help them be creative, Rothman also recommends shower wine glass holders.

If they work on site as reporters, waterproof notebooks will protect their handwritten notes from all kinds of weather.

This timeless aluminum rollerball pen from Baronfig comes in five different colors-it may be their pen of choice for years and years to come.

This elegant blanket scarf can help them stay comfortable when traveling or just sitting at their desk at home. Bonus: It is bundled into a pillow for flying!

Using the classic Bialetti Moka pot allows them to keep caffeine and focus on their work (the added benefit is that they feel like an elegant European writer). They will get a cup of espresso-like coffee in a few minutes.

Or buy three Brooklyn roasted coffee beans grown in Vietnam from Nguyen Coffee Supply.

Use this typewriter print owned by famous writers such as Ginsberg and Twain to stimulate their creative inspiration. The prints have many different sizes and frame options to perfectly fit their space.

Every writer needs a good office chair-but that is an expensive gift. Use memory foam pillows to transform their bad chairs into better chairs, providing coccyx and lower lumbar support for their hips and back. (At this moment, the author is sitting in a chair with the bottom of the pillow just right.)

An ergonomic laptop stand will also help them maintain their posture and prevent neck strains.

Diptyque candles are considered the best candles for a reason. This smoky, comfortable fragrance of Feu de Bois will create the perfect writing environment for them, especially in autumn and winter.

For some aromatherapy that is more affordable than luxury candles, consider giving your favorite author some rich basil hand-made pomade. This is super moisturizing, and when they fall into thinking about the next sentence, it is a great thing for them.