Five Star Gift Ideas

It's great that your dad has a passion for writing! For his upcoming birthday, you could consider a number of gift ideas that would be tailored to this interest.

1. Writing tools - To get started, a new notebook or set of pens may be the perfect gift. You could get him a high-quality notebook, like a Moleskine or a leather-bound journal, and a nice set of pens, such as Microns or Sharpies. These can inspire him to write more short stories.

2. Writing courses - If your dad is interested in taking his writing to the next level, you could look into online writing courses or workshops in your area or even writing retreats (when the pandemic is over). They may provide him with new techniques and insight into the creative process.

3. Books on writing - There are plenty of great books about writing that your dad might enjoy. "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King is a popular choice. Another recommendation is "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott.

4. Personalized pen - To take things up a notch, you could get a personalized pen with your dad's name or initials engraved. This way, he can connect with his writing on a deeper level and have a tool that's truly his own.

5. Publication - If your dad has written stories that he hasn't shown anyone, now might be a good time to encourage him to submit them to writing contests or literary magazines. Or you could give him a self-publishing course to guide him to publish his work himself.

6. Writing prompts - Sometimes all a writer needs is a starting point. You could make your own writing prompts for him or even buy him a book of writing prompts. For example, the "642 Things to Write About" book has a wide variety of prompts to get the creative juices flowing.

At the end of the day, the perfect gift for your dad depends on what he really likes. You know your dad the best and any gift you choose will be appreciated because it will come from you.

Or you can get him a star map with the date when he was born.

Bridget Shields says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“I wanted a keepsake to give to my father for his birthday as he has terminal cancer. He was delighted by his gift. The process of ordering was easy and delivery was prompt. A great gift idea.”