The Subtext Writer's Gift Guide
Think beyond the Moleskine. Ditch the coffee mug with a typewriter on it. This gift list / wish list proves that gifts for copywriters can be thoughtful, without thinking too hard.
Written By 
The Subtext Editorial Team
Published on 
Dec 15, 2023
6
 min. read

The gift giving season is hurtling towards us whether we like it or not. And if you’re anything like us, your family and friends don’t really know what you do. Cue questions like: 

“A copywriter? So you work in the legal field?” 

“I saw a billboard that was clever on the 101 – was that you?” 

“Do you just sit around and drink like they do in Mad Men?”

“Branding is the same thing as marketing, right?”

We digress. Despite our loved ones not knowing exactly what we do, they still try to find gifts that feel apropos. And as your friends, we’re here to help you avoid the tired and cheeseball gifts that inevitably end up in your care – art prints of vintage typewriters, cheesy “Keep Calm and Write On” t-shirts, and inspirational quote notebooks. Although, a fresh Moleskin is always appreciated. 

Whether you're an "I don't need a thing!" kind of person, or you believe it's better to receive than give – odds are, someone’s going to ask you what’s on your wish list. So, we did you a solid and compiled a list of thoughtful things you might actually want or use. And if you have creative friends, this might be just the gift guide you 're looking for. You’re welcome!

The Reader's Rest

Book/Shop and Glor collab on these one-of-a-kind beauties made for chillin’ with a nice read. 

Ed Ruscha tote

Ed Ruscha, the visual artist famous for wielding words, speaks to all of us with this tote. 

“Don’t Burn Out” candle

Burnout sucks, this candle doesn’t – and it benefits L.A.’s Downtown Women’s Center. Nice. 

Image: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53a9419fe4b00d7a9215bdb6/1626169620579-U8OX0EX5CUHFW9AUX98C/olivia-candle-1-edit.jpg?format=2500w 

“Sorry I’m a Creative” hoodie

NGL, we’d love a comma in this copy, but this hoodie is fire so all is forgiven. 

Image: https://forthecrewclothing.com/cdn/shop/files/FTCRESIZE5.jpg?v=1690911337&width=1200  

Pear Pod organizer

This little cutie keeps all your pens, sticky notes and midday snacks contained. 

Image: https://qualydesign.com/international/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PearPodThumbnail_01.jpg 

Brown Parcel Press 2024 letterpress calendar

Printed and designed by a mother-daughter duo, this calendar is a beautiful labor of love and celebration of life's little joys. 

Image: https://brownparcelpress.com/cdn/shop/files/2024_marchsquare_small_b900de2a-d6d0-4732-b77c-dceedcc25a5e_1400x.jpg?v=1695242056 

Author Clock

What an insanely creative way to tell time, using literary quotes for every minute of the day.

Image: https://assets-global.website-files.com/647eccd9162c5306c7943cb6/651e124c65755e8ac6fe5a22_VOL1_1.png 

Fine Arts T-shirt

For art lovers, art students, anyone who's made a career out of being creative. This tee's for you. 

Image: https://www.meganhuntz.com/cdn/shop/products/image_3a8597f7-9ebd-4b67-9cd0-83b5f3fca4e3.jpg?v=1688745358 

A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters

We’re big fans of pretty much anything Dan Nelken creates, especially this book that teaches us how to kick self-doubt’s ass.

Image: https://sonderandtell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TheBook-1024x629.png 

The Sip champagne membership

A monthly delivery of bubbly makes anything a celebration – getting a new client, getting paid, getting out of a Zoom marathon. 

Image: https://thesip.com/cdn/shop/products/211015_TheSip_2.jpg?v=1667852657 

The Criterion Channel gift subscription

Get creative inspo from the best streaming service for lovers of films, not movies.

Image: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Gr3GlfzYL.png 

Magnetic Poetry: Moist Edition

Everyone's favorite fridge poetry gets gross with a collection of the most cringe-inducing words. 

Image: https://magneticpoetry.com/cdn/shop/products/moistOPEN_grande.jpg?v=1571438854 

The Subtext T-shirt

Say less. 

Lighthouse portable lamp

Your desk's best friend with minimalist vibes, three lighting settings and an auto-off function to boot. 

Image: https://store.moma.org/cdn/shop/products/e458f37f-4d6a-4163-ad1d-02f0d3cfacac_1296x.jpg?v=1676392448 

Karel Martens 2024 tear-off calendar

Designer and printmaker Karel Marten's calendar fills your space with impeccable design, day by day.

Image: https://www.presentandcorrect.com/cdn/shop/files/km24_2.jpg?v=1697217647 

Joan Didon: What She Means

A companion to the exhibition at UCLA's Hammer Museum, this book surveys the eternal, essential life and work of Joan Didion. 

Image: https://store.hammer.ucla.edu/cdn/shop/products/joan-didion-what-she-means-26_grande.jpg?v=1665171481 

Matisse scarf

When the home office gets chilly, bundle up in this gorgeous wool scarf.

Image:https://www.goodeeworld.com/cdn/shop/files/MATISSE-SCARF-HM-48.000445.jpg?v=1693941869 

Unsubscribe hat

Sometimes it's best to let your hat do the talking.

Image: https://pretendstore.co/cdn/shop/products/Pretend-Store_Unsubscribe-Hat-1_1920x.jpg?v=1642808580

The gift giving season is hurtling towards us whether we like it or not. And if you’re anything like us, your family and friends don’t really know what you do. Cue questions like: 

“A copywriter? So you work in the legal field?” 

“I saw a billboard that was clever on the 101 – was that you?” 

“Do you just sit around and drink like they do in Mad Men?”

“Branding is the same thing as marketing, right?”

We digress. Despite our loved ones not knowing exactly what we do, they still try to find gifts that feel apropos. And as your friends, we’re here to help you avoid the tired and cheeseball gifts that inevitably end up in your care – art prints of vintage typewriters, cheesy “Keep Calm and Write On” t-shirts, and inspirational quote notebooks. Although, a fresh Moleskin is always appreciated. 

Whether you're an "I don't need a thing!" kind of person, or you believe it's better to receive than give – odds are, someone’s going to ask you what’s on your wish list. So, we did you a solid and compiled a list of thoughtful things you might actually want or use. And if you have creative friends, this might be just the gift guide you 're looking for. You’re welcome!

The Reader's Rest

Book/Shop and Glor collab on these one-of-a-kind beauties made for chillin’ with a nice read. 

Ed Ruscha tote

Ed Ruscha, the visual artist famous for wielding words, speaks to all of us with this tote. 

“Don’t Burn Out” candle

Burnout sucks, this candle doesn’t – and it benefits L.A.’s Downtown Women’s Center. Nice. 

Image: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53a9419fe4b00d7a9215bdb6/1626169620579-U8OX0EX5CUHFW9AUX98C/olivia-candle-1-edit.jpg?format=2500w 

“Sorry I’m a Creative” hoodie

NGL, we’d love a comma in this copy, but this hoodie is fire so all is forgiven. 

Image: https://forthecrewclothing.com/cdn/shop/files/FTCRESIZE5.jpg?v=1690911337&width=1200  

Pear Pod organizer

This little cutie keeps all your pens, sticky notes and midday snacks contained. 

Image: https://qualydesign.com/international/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PearPodThumbnail_01.jpg 

Brown Parcel Press 2024 letterpress calendar

Printed and designed by a mother-daughter duo, this calendar is a beautiful labor of love and celebration of life's little joys. 

Image: https://brownparcelpress.com/cdn/shop/files/2024_marchsquare_small_b900de2a-d6d0-4732-b77c-dceedcc25a5e_1400x.jpg?v=1695242056 

Author Clock

What an insanely creative way to tell time, using literary quotes for every minute of the day.

Image: https://assets-global.website-files.com/647eccd9162c5306c7943cb6/651e124c65755e8ac6fe5a22_VOL1_1.png 

Fine Arts T-shirt

For art lovers, art students, anyone who's made a career out of being creative. This tee's for you. 

Image: https://www.meganhuntz.com/cdn/shop/products/image_3a8597f7-9ebd-4b67-9cd0-83b5f3fca4e3.jpg?v=1688745358 

A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters

We’re big fans of pretty much anything Dan Nelken creates, especially this book that teaches us how to kick self-doubt’s ass.

Image: https://sonderandtell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TheBook-1024x629.png 

The Sip champagne membership

A monthly delivery of bubbly makes anything a celebration – getting a new client, getting paid, getting out of a Zoom marathon. 

Image: https://thesip.com/cdn/shop/products/211015_TheSip_2.jpg?v=1667852657 

The Criterion Channel gift subscription

Get creative inspo from the best streaming service for lovers of films, not movies.

Image: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Gr3GlfzYL.png 

Magnetic Poetry: Moist Edition

Everyone's favorite fridge poetry gets gross with a collection of the most cringe-inducing words. 

Image: https://magneticpoetry.com/cdn/shop/products/moistOPEN_grande.jpg?v=1571438854 

The Subtext T-shirt

Say less. 

Lighthouse portable lamp

Your desk's best friend with minimalist vibes, three lighting settings and an auto-off function to boot. 

Image: https://store.moma.org/cdn/shop/products/e458f37f-4d6a-4163-ad1d-02f0d3cfacac_1296x.jpg?v=1676392448 

Karel Martens 2024 tear-off calendar

Designer and printmaker Karel Marten's calendar fills your space with impeccable design, day by day.

Image: https://www.presentandcorrect.com/cdn/shop/files/km24_2.jpg?v=1697217647 

Joan Didon: What She Means

A companion to the exhibition at UCLA's Hammer Museum, this book surveys the eternal, essential life and work of Joan Didion. 

Image: https://store.hammer.ucla.edu/cdn/shop/products/joan-didion-what-she-means-26_grande.jpg?v=1665171481 

Matisse scarf

When the home office gets chilly, bundle up in this gorgeous wool scarf.

Image:https://www.goodeeworld.com/cdn/shop/files/MATISSE-SCARF-HM-48.000445.jpg?v=1693941869 

Unsubscribe hat

Sometimes it's best to let your hat do the talking.

Image: https://pretendstore.co/cdn/shop/products/Pretend-Store_Unsubscribe-Hat-1_1920x.jpg?v=1642808580

Further Reading

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Emily Ash Powell Interview
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The Subtext Editorial Team
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Icing Out Customers: Why The Anti-Everything to Everyone Works
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Without Studio
min.
Wall of vintage pulp magazine covers.
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