With December upon us, we are now deeply into the holiday buying season. If you’ve got an author on your list this year, here are some suggestions — some fun, some practical — for great gifts.

1. Trees
What better “off-set” present for someone who publishes dead-tree books than a living, breathing, oxygen-producing, bird-housing green thing? Trees Instead plants single trees, half-acres and acres in the US state or Canadian province of your choice, and provides a certificate and card to your recipient.

2. SPAN Membership
The Small Publishers Association of North America provides dozens of benefits to the self-publishing author. Membership comes with discounts on everything from shipping and advertising to Amazon and insurance. Plus your recipient gains access to articles, online discussion groups and other resources.

3. Subscription to a Publishing Magazine
A year’s subscription to Publisher’s Weekly in the US or Quill & Quire in Canada will keep your author in the loop with all the latest publishing industry news.

4. Autographed Copy Stickers
A roll of Autographed Copy stickers is a great item for book signings and events. You can often find packs of the stickers on eBay. Or try a Google search.  Make sure you buy stickers that are easily removed — you don’t want to damage book covers.

5. Framed Cover Art
Authors are generally quite proud of their book(s) – and rightly so! So why not give a gift that commemorates their publishing achievement? Have their dust jacket matted and framed for an elegant and special piece of art.

6. Author Buttons
There is no shortage of fun buttons to buy for your author. These are just a few we found in CafePress stores. Search on “author buttons” or “writer buttons” to find more.

7. Bookish T-Shirts
As with buttons, you can find just about anything on a t-shirt. This one from Printfection seemed particularly appropriate for the holidays.

8. Collectible Books
Most authors are avid readers and booklovers. When you give a meaningful rare, antique, or out-of-print book, your recipient knows you picked the item just for them. And guaranteed, they won’t get the same gift from anyone else. Do they have an author they particularly admire? See if you can get a first edition or autographed copy. Or look for antique books that are related to their field. AbeBooks, Alibris, and eBay are all good places to find out-of-print books.

9. New Books
Duh! We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention buying some new books for your author. There are many helpful writing and self-publishing guides that make great gifts. Here are four in particular that we like.

• The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter
• Book Design and Production by Dan Masterson
• Sell Your Book on Amazon by Brent Sampson
• Woe Is I by Patricia T. O’Conner

Happy shopping!