Yesterday I contacted a sponsor for my Cookerati blog (Dunkin’ Donuts) to see if they would be interested in giving away a gift basket here. I thought it would be a nice change from the usual fare and an awesome gift for the winner. It occurred to me that I could do a lot more of these giveaways if I had enough sponsors and prizes. The thing is, whenever I put out word that I’m doing a gift guide or that I would like sponsors for giveaways, I get a whole bunch of self help books and laptop supplies. Now, there’s nothing wrong with these, but every blogging and writing blog in cyberspace are giving away ProBlogger books (been there, done that) and surge protectors. I was looking for something a little less….boring.

So I put out word that I was looking for fun gifts for writers and received an impressive response.  The problem is, my definition of fun, and some publicists’ definition of fun are two totally different animals. I had offers of extension cords, a heart rate monitor, a light for the inside of one’s toilet so the men in your lives don’t miss at night, and epoxy glue. Yes, epoxy glue. To give away to writers and bloggers.

I ask you…

Are these fun gifts for writers or bloggers?

I’ve also been looking around at some of the holiday gift guides going up at blogs and websites about this time and they’re mostly all books and software. Again, there is nothing wrong with this, but where’s the frivolity? Are writers all so serious we’re only books and computers? Speaking as the girl who received a paper shredder as the “big gift” one year, I can tell you we don’t only want books and power cords in our stockings this year.

We can have fun! Really!

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I like to tell a joke or two. If it’s really funny I’ll even let out a big old belly laugh. And on my downtime I’ve even been known to let my hair down and enjoy the company of others…outside of the house!! I know!

I understand we need to be practical. I even represent the practical side in my own gift guides and giveaways, but we’re not all books and computer programs. We’re actually pretty darn human. I don’t get my husband, the accountant, calculators and slide rules for the holidays. Nor do I give my sister the teacher apples and attendance books.

Show a little imagination when buying for the writer in your life. Check out some vintage typewriter key bracelets or baskets of bath products. Send your favorite blogger a bottle of wine or the latest gadget. Trust me, we’ll appreciate the distraction.