"Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness, wrapped in a story."
— Richard Bach
— Richard Bach
Storytellers are the keepers of memories, masters of emotion, and architects of connection. Whether they're crafting personal essays, performing on stage, or spinning tales for friends, they thrive on tools and experiences that spark creativity and elevate their craft. If you're looking for the perfect gift for the storyteller in your life, here are ten thoughtful ideas that blend practicality, inspiration, and a touch of magic.
It is necessary to choose a visual aid that is appropriate for the topic and audience.
1. A beautiful leather-bound journal
Every storyteller needs a place to capture ideas, fragments of dialogue, or observations about life. A high-quality, leather-bound journal feels timeless and personal. Consider personalizing it with their initials or a meaningful quote to make it extra special.
Why they'll love it: It's a tactile, classic tool that turns everyday thoughts into cherished memories.
Every storyteller needs a place to capture ideas, fragments of dialogue, or observations about life. A high-quality, leather-bound journal feels timeless and personal. Consider personalizing it with their initials or a meaningful quote to make it extra special.
Why they'll love it: It's a tactile, classic tool that turns everyday thoughts into cherished memories.
Image source: Amazon
2. Books on the craft of storytelling
Help your storyteller refine their skills with books that explore the art and science of storytelling. A few classics include:
Why they'll love it: These guides and collections provide insights, inspiration, and real-world examples of storytelling at its best.
Help your storyteller refine their skills with books that explore the art and science of storytelling. A few classics include:
- "The Storyteller’s Secret" by Carmine Gallo
- "The Art of Memoir" by Mary Karr
- "The Moth Presents: All These Wonders"
Why they'll love it: These guides and collections provide insights, inspiration, and real-world examples of storytelling at its best.
Image source: Zurich Storytellers
3. Tickets to a live storytelling event
There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live storytelling show. Events like The Moth, or Zurich Storytellers, or any other local story slams, are perfect for inspiration and connection with other storytellers.
Why they'll love it: It fuels their passion and exposes them to new storytelling styles and voices.
4. Tell a story about them
One of the most meaningful gifts for a storyteller is to have someone turn them into the subject of a story. Write a heartfelt anecdote, record a video message, or perform a story that celebrates their uniqueness, experiences, and impact on your life.
Why they'll love it: Storytellers spend so much time telling others' stories—this lets them experience the magic of having their own story shared and honored.
There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live storytelling show. Events like The Moth, or Zurich Storytellers, or any other local story slams, are perfect for inspiration and connection with other storytellers.
Why they'll love it: It fuels their passion and exposes them to new storytelling styles and voices.
4. Tell a story about them
One of the most meaningful gifts for a storyteller is to have someone turn them into the subject of a story. Write a heartfelt anecdote, record a video message, or perform a story that celebrates their uniqueness, experiences, and impact on your life.
Why they'll love it: Storytellers spend so much time telling others' stories—this lets them experience the magic of having their own story shared and honored.
Image source: Unsplash
5. A cozy writing kit
Put together a comfort-focused writing kit: a soft throw blanket, scented candles (level up the level of detail with a library-scented candle), and a selection of teas or coffee. This kind of gift encourages long, uninterrupted writing sessions in a cozy atmosphere.
Why they'll love it: It shows you understand the importance of comfort and atmosphere in the creative process.
Put together a comfort-focused writing kit: a soft throw blanket, scented candles (level up the level of detail with a library-scented candle), and a selection of teas or coffee. This kind of gift encourages long, uninterrupted writing sessions in a cozy atmosphere.
Why they'll love it: It shows you understand the importance of comfort and atmosphere in the creative process.
Image Source: Etsy BeyondTheShelfShop
6. Literary posters
Decorate their writing space with posters featuring famous literary quotes, illustrations of classic book covers, or portraits of renowned authors. These visual cues can provide daily inspiration.
Why they'll love it: It personalizes their creative space and surrounds them with reminders of why they love stories.
Decorate their writing space with posters featuring famous literary quotes, illustrations of classic book covers, or portraits of renowned authors. These visual cues can provide daily inspiration.
Why they'll love it: It personalizes their creative space and surrounds them with reminders of why they love stories.
Image source: Unsplash
7. Bath tub book holder
For the storyteller who loves to read or jot down ideas while soaking in a warm bath, a bathtub book holder is the perfect blend of relaxation and creativity.
Why they'll love it: It allows them to unwind and be inspired by stories while enjoying a luxurious soak.
For the storyteller who loves to read or jot down ideas while soaking in a warm bath, a bathtub book holder is the perfect blend of relaxation and creativity.
Why they'll love it: It allows them to unwind and be inspired by stories while enjoying a luxurious soak.
Image source: Amazon
7. Writing toolbox
Equip your storyteller with a creative writing toolbox, complete with prompts, exercises, and tips for overcoming writer’s block. Options like The Writer’s Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan provide fun and interactive ways to spark creativity.
Why they'll love it: It keeps their creativity flowing and helps them break through mental blocks.
Equip your storyteller with a creative writing toolbox, complete with prompts, exercises, and tips for overcoming writer’s block. Options like The Writer’s Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan provide fun and interactive ways to spark creativity.
Why they'll love it: It keeps their creativity flowing and helps them break through mental blocks.
Image source: Unsplash
8. A high-quality microphone
If your storyteller shares their stories through podcasts, audiobooks, or spoken-word performances, a quality microphone can elevate their recordings and ensure their voice is heard clearly.
Why they'll love it: It helps them present their stories professionally, whether they're recording from home or on the road.
If your storyteller shares their stories through podcasts, audiobooks, or spoken-word performances, a quality microphone can elevate their recordings and ensure their voice is heard clearly.
Why they'll love it: It helps them present their stories professionally, whether they're recording from home or on the road.
Image source: Unsplash
10. A custom illustration of one of their stories
Bring one of their stories to life with a commissioned illustration. Find an artist who can capture the essence of a key moment or scene and turn it into a unique piece of art.
Why they'll love it: It celebrates their work and immortalizes a story that means a lot to them.
Practice storytelling with ZST
Would you like to get more practical experience on how to craft a story? Sign up for our in-person workshops or join one of our shows in Zurich!
From concept to script to shining on stage - a practical 2h workshop on how to tell a story.
Join one of our upcoming shows to share your story with the live audience as get feedback. Just listening is fine as well.
About Zurich Storytellers
ZST live events are an intimate high-energy evening of 5-minute stories by people who have a passion and the desire to share authentic true stories with their hometown crowd. The stage is open to everyone, but our (very cool) L200 event space has limited seating - reserve yours now.
“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”
Joan Didion 1924- 2021
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