Gifts for English Majors

In continuing with yesterday's theme, here are some gifts that I might recommend for an English Major. These are things I, as an English major (and a person with opinions), would totally appreciate, but keep in mind that these are only my opinion. Every English major is different.

First off, gift-giving hints:

1. There are a lot of lists on the Internet about "THINGS ENGLISH MAJORS WILL APPRECIATE." I will be completely honest with you: unless the English Major is interested in the cross-sections of Poe, Shakespeare, Austen, and loves the books they were assigned in high school, be wary of randomly selecting from these lists (including mine). I've met several English majors who can't stand Shakespeare. (I am not one of those people - I can't stand Samuel Beckett, and I say that after I wrote a capstone paper on him).
2. That being said, learn what sort of thing the English Major DOES and DOES NOT like. (This is a general gift-giving guideline, to be honest). See above about how some English Majors can't stand Shakespeare. If they're interested in Shakespeare, then you have a LOT of fun options. If they're not interested in William Shakespeare, James Joyce, Jane Austen, or Edgar Allen Poe, you still have options, but do ask because that means you'll have to do some more exploring.
3. Not all English majors want to be writers. (I do, but that's beside the point.) Not all English majors want to be editors. Not all English majors want to be journalists. Some English majors want to be teachers; others are going to grad school for something completely different. Many lists will include variations on the first three, but you may need to do more exploring.

Gifts for the Writer English Major

Definition: the Writer English Major wants to write fiction/ poetry/ etc. May have strong opinions on the Classic Works of Fiction.

1. This GO AWAY I'M WRITING bag. Ships from UK. 
2. Or any of these journals. Various prices. Ships from UK. 
3. This pin from Etsy on the attachment to fictional characters.
4. Or this "i write" one, also from Etsy.
5. Or quite possibly my favorite quote about writing, on a pin from Etsy.
6. This basic summation of writer's block.

Gifts for the Gothic Fan

Definition: Gothic works are basically dark horror and romance. There are different sub-genres (Southern Gothic, Romantic-Era Gothic, Victorian Gothic, etc) and I'm not very familiar with the differences among them. Edgar Allen Poe was a Victorian Gothic writer; Dracula, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre are all classic Gothic novels. Search Wikipedia and Google for more information.

1. This bracelet, with a quote from Dracula. $40, Etsy (note that the shopkeeper says she won't be shipping until January 4).
2. Seriously, just google Edgar Allen Poe quotes and find something.
3. Or Jane Eyre. If you get anything related to a "Madwoman in the attic" then you're on the right track. Wuthering Heights is my least favorite book so I'm not going to say you should go search for it. I cannot willingly inflict that book onto anyone.
4. Jane Austen isn't Gothic. Unless you're reading Northanger Abbey, apparently.

Gifts for the Jane Austen fan

Definition: Someone who likes Jane Austen.

1. There are so many Jane Austen things. Google "Jane Austen quote jewelry."
2. CafePress is also good for this.
3. And Etsy.

Gifts for the Shakespeare fan

about as ubiquitous as the Jane Austen merchandise, you'll be able to find a loooooooooooooot of things online (especially Etsy). Be warned, though: if they have a strong opinion against A Midsummer Night's Dream, avoid things that say "though she is but little, she is fierce."