BY TIFFANY SCIACCA
So, you somehow captured in your circle of friends, the elusive unicorn that is the Poet. Not just the odd bird that dabbles a bit, you know the one that always takes up half the space on the birthday card making its rounds around the office. Or the one to turn to for that perfect eulogy, but an, "I eat words for breakfast, lunch and dinner," type of poet. P.S. It is okay to skip meals. No one is perfect. I skip poetry for dinner most times. Well now, your Poet friend has a birthday, or has moved into a new Economy studio or better yet, holidays are right around the corner and you really want to give them something nice, but useful, but not too boring. I am one of those poets who will not turn her nose up at a dozen newly sharpened pencils, but pencils are not for everyone, so I have compiled a little list of other gifts that the poet in your life just might appreciate.
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1. Gourmet marshmallows
For those moments of panic when after searching for an hour for another word for dark and come up empty handed or just to toss in a giant mug of hot chocolate for a job well done.
Cardamom Marshmallows, $6.50 at whimsyandspice
via whimsyandspice
2. Fancy nails
I am a sucker for nail polishes. At least the funky colors, even though between typing and being me it never manages to stay on very long. But hey, I look at my nails more than anyone does and it does not cost much to pamper yourself with a pop of color. LiteraryLacquer is an Indie polish brand with colors that take their names from everything from Anne Rice novels to Lord of the Rings. Yes please!
And This Mystery Explore, Smoky Gray/Copper Microglitter $10 at LiteraryLacquer
via LiteraryLacquer
3. Book Lapel pin
Perhaps your poet friend is a bit too shy to walk around with a t-shirt emblazoned with POET or POETRY ROCKS! A little pin like the one above is just enough of a reminder to them or anyone else they let closer than arms length.
Solid Brass book, brass plated pin. $10 at inthelavenderhaze
4. A vintage book of poetry
I give a vintage book to one of my best friends every year for her birthday. She is a wonderful woman, and an awesome poet. I usually give her works by authors she admires or vintage travel and cookbooks about her native country, Denmark. It is easy to find decades old books for pennies. Try library book sales! I have found many in great condition and they are at most times extremely hard to find. The book below is Nikki Giovanni’s earliest works.
Black Feeling, Black Thought, Black Judgement, 1971, $22 at ProfessorBooknoodle
5. A cozy throw
Perhaps it is because I am writing this up on a cold November day in Sicily, but all I can think about right now is warmth. Right now, I am wrapped up in a little blanket only a toddler could love, but this throw from IKEA is a little more refined. If you want to stretch your dollar a little more, you can try your local thrift store. You can probably find something vintage or brand new (my local Goodwill received donations from Target!) and spend your change on dry-cleaning.
VÄGMÅLLA Throw in blue. $14.99 at IKEA
via IKEA
6. A great hand lotion
I spend more hours writing than anything else lately and with cold weather, my hands are constantly dry. I have yet to use this product, but it has received great reviews. I currently use Prep, The Original Formula. It claims to be calming, soothing, and refreshing. It smells like a smoother version of what my great grandmother used, but the scent is oddly satisfying and it works well. I picked it up for under a few dollars at the local Lidl.
Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème, $9.99 at Boots
via Boots
So, here is your head start and remember, these are just suggestions that will hopefully spark other ideas for the Poets and other artists in your life. You can definitely find drugstore or higher end versions for all of these items. Now start shopping!
Tiffany Sciacca is a writer who has recently moved to Sicily from the Midwest. Her work has appeared in the Silver Birch Press, SOFTBLOW and DNA Magazine UK. When she is not learning a new language or trying to blend in, she is reading horror anthologies, binging on Nordic Noir or plugging away at her first Giallo screenplay. @EustaceChisholm