What gifts can you give to your blogging friends? What gifts would you like to receive?

This gift wish list has essential items we bloggers need including many free things like plug-ins or tools.

But it also includes splurge items bloggers don’t know they need until they get them.

I’ve added affiliate links to some of these gift ideas so if you use them I’ll be able to save up to get my dream gift so I can write more, write faster ans keep active. What is it? You’ll have to read to the very end to find out.

Leave a comment telling me what’s on your gift list for you and your blogging friends.

Free Gifts for Bloggers

1. Give your time. Make a recommendation to new bloggers or help them out. You could offer to help them set up their Facebook page or give them tips on how to get started on Twitter. Or if you’re clever with the techie stuff you could help install some plug-ins.

Time poor? It doesn’t take long to send someone an email saying:

“Hey, I noticed you’re not on Twitter yet. I think you’d connect with some great people there. I’m @BloggingMentor so say hi if you join. There are some great Twitter tips here ^[1] to help you get started.

Happy *insert celebration name here*!”

I regularly recommend these to new bloggers:

Feedburner ^[2]

Twitter ^[3]

Facebook ^[4]

Google Analytics ^[5]

Mailchimp ^[6] – To manage your email subscribers. It’s currently free up for lists with up to 2,000 subscribers which should be enough for new bloggers then there’s a monthly charge after that.

Hootsuite ^[7] – A social media management tool that let’s you manage Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn from one dashboard. I love it because it allows you to add RSS feeds so you can auto-tweet blog posts, both your own and on other blogs. The free version let you add 2 RSS/Atom Feeds but I use the pro version which allows me to add unlimited blog feeds and saves me huge amounts of time for only $5.99 a month.

Gmail ^[8] – Get all your emails forwarded to one place and stored online so you never lose them free.

Rapportive ^[9] – It’s a free add on to your Gmail account which shows you everything about your contacts right inside your inbox so you can immediately connect with them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more.

Dropbox ^[10] – Free automatic storage of all your files for up to 2GB.

WeTransfer ^[11] – A quick and easy way to send big files to people.

Evernote ^[12] – Saves your ideas and allows you to input or access them from your computer and most mobile devices.

Pamela ^[13] – Skype recording software. The free version records for 15 minutes or you can upgrade for a low price to record longer Skype calls and videos.

Plug-ins: Akismet, Word press editorial calendar, Tweetmeme and Tweet old posts

2. Free Ebooks

It’s the thought that counts. Just email them the book with a message:

“I thought you might like this ebook. Happy *insert celebration name here*!”

Personal Writing Magic ^[14] – I just released it free on Get In the Hot Spot to teach the benefits of personal writing for bloggers and give tips on how to get started.

Ebooks the Smart Way ^[15] – Pat Flynn’s great free ebook about creating ebooks. You just have to subscribe to his blog Smart Passive Income to get it.

Essential Gifts for Bloggers

3. Web Hosting – Boring but essential.

4. Kindle – So they can get all those kindle releases.

5. iPad ^[16] – I already have one but I’d love to upgrade to an iPad2 for the video. My iPad is brilliant for reading books, listening to podcasts and working anywhere on. I love taking notes on it then I can just copy and paste them into a draft blog post and share them fast.

^[17]6. Web custom theme – Like Thesis ^[17], Headway, Genesis. We use the Thesis Theme for WordPress on this blog. Learn more about Thesis here ^[17].

7. Books

Two suggestions: Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields which is excellent or any book by Seth Godin: I’ve read four of Seth’s books so far. Start with Purple Cow and Permission Marketing. Check them out here ^[18].

8. Ebooks

Successful Blogging in 12 Simple Steps ^[19] – By me so you’ll be supporting this blog and Kiva by buying it. Click here ^[19] to find out more.

^[20]Problogger books – The Blogger’s Guide to Online Marketing ^[21], Problogger’s Guide to Your First Week of Blogging ^[22] and the classic 31 Days to a Build a Better Blog. ^[20]

Gifts for Bloggers Who Have Everything

I have all of the above and now I’m craving more. Like voice recognition software so I can write faster and stand up while I “write”. Then maybe a treadmill or exercise bike so I can keep moving and keep my bottom looking perky.

9. Conference Pass – They’re not giving away entry to blogging conferences. Ticket prices vary but anything from $150 for a one day conference to around $500 for a big event like BlogWorld ^[23].

10. Social media jewellery – Like these cute necklaces from Survival of the Hippest ^[24]. I want one for @GetIntheHotSpot ^[25] and @BloggingMentor ^[26]!

11. Guest blogging course ^[27] – With expert tips from Jon Morrow. I enrolled last month. I’m particularly enjoying the video lessons, the helpful forums and the impetus to write better and be more strategic.

To sign up you need to add your email address to the box on right of his home page then you’ll be notified when the next course starts. Even if you don’t do the paid course you’ll learn a lot from watching the free videos here ^[27].

12. Voice Recogniton Software – Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software ^[28] comes highly recommended. It will let me dicate my blog posts so I can move around while I work and write faster.

13. Treadmill – Now I’m not sitting down typing thanks to the voice recognition software I can exercise while I work. Just a gentle stroll. I’ll still do my morning beach walks too but I’ll be standing up more. I’m not sure if this idea would work but it would be fun to try it.

14. Peter Alexander ^[29] Night Wear – Bloggers can spend all day in their nighties or pyjamas so help them look great with PA pjs. This is an Australian brand which has gone global. I may or may not have a Peter Alexander obsession. I pore over his catalogues for hours.

I love the prints, design, comfort, photography and the little doggies. Even though I’m a cat person. You’ll have to check out the new catalogue to see what I mean. Bloggers’ husbands also look great in Peter Alexander sleep shorts and t-shirts. My Mucho Man ^[30] does anyway.

15. Chocolate – It’s obvious why this is on my list. I eat it daily. Several times.

16. Digital camera – I have two cameras, a big SLR and a small Panasonic point and shoot that fits in my handbag.

17. Video – I’ve got a cheapie JVC Picsio Waterproof video camera that’s brilliant. All touch screen and it does still shots or audio recording only as well as video.

18. Microphone – After learning about podcasting with Dave Thackeray, @thePodcastGuy, I realised my little headset isn’t good enough for quality sound recording. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone ^[31] that sits on your desk looks great.

19. Coffee or tea – Blogging is thirsty work. I drink copious amounts of chai but other bloggers can’t blog unless they are fueled by coffee.

20. Exercise ball – I love mine but it’s got a slow leak. I’ll bounce on it when I get tired of strolling on the treadmill while I dictate my blog posts and emails to my new voice recognition software.

21. A Big Hug

That’s what we all need most, but anything else would be a bonus.

Which gift would you most like to give?

Or receive?!