To paraphrase the Grinch (who, you’ll remember, tried to steal Christmas), not everything about Christmas comes from a store. Here are six things that freelance editors and proofreaders appreciate that don’t cost money.

1. Feedback (positive or negative)
It’s valuable to have feedback from a client on a job well done, or to have some suggestions for improvement. It only takes a few moments, but it can really help to make a freelancer feel that someone has actually noticed their work.
 
2. Thanks
Similarly, a quick ‘thank you’ from a client or a colleague acknowledges the effort that the freelancer has put in to meet a deadline, solve a problem, or give some helpful advice. Again, it doesn’t take long, but it’s sure to be appreciated.
 
3. Payment
Of course this costs money, but the speed at which an invoice is settled varies widely! Some clients go the extra mile to pay on time – or even before the required date – and that’s particularly pleasing for the freelancer.
 
4. Understanding
If freelancers are at home during the day, that’s probably because they’re working. Yes, freelancers might take a break to catch up with household chores, go shopping, or go out for lunch. But they really appreciate it when non-freelancing friends and family recognise that ‘being in the house’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘being available for a chat’ or ‘being available…’ for anything else apart from work.
 
5. Support
Many freelancers work alone, so they value the support they receive from colleagues. Sometimes that’s face to face, for example at an SfEP local group, but nowadays it’s just as likely to be online. The SfEP forums and the various Facebook groups for editors all create a sense of camaraderie and offer a place to air problems, share experiences and seek help, 24/7!
 
6. Friendship
As often happens in traditional workplaces, freelancing can lead to long-lasting friendships. Editors and proofreaders who’ve met through local networking, the SfEP conference, or online groups or forums sometimes discover that they have a great deal in common over and above their professional interests. It’s a very supportive profession, with fellow freelancers seen as colleagues rather than competitors, and even clients can become friends! 
 
So whether or not your seasonal gifts have a price tag, I hope you enjoy Christmas, and I wish you all the best for 2018.

Look out for the final post of the Advent Calendar on 24 December. It's something a little different...

There are plenty of options for the tea- or coffee-drinking freelancer, from Penguin Classics mugs and editing-themed mugs to those featuring a favourite hobby (Scrabble, for example). Then there are pint-sized mugs, elegant china mugs and insulated mugs. For a really bespoke gift, what about a mug – or even a set of mugs – dedicated to grammar grumbles?

We’ve talked about reference books, but there’s plenty of other reading material to interest the editorial freelancer. David Crystal’s books (perhaps The Gift of the Gab, or his autobiographical Just a Phrase I’m Going Through), Oliver Kamm’s Accidence Will Happen, Stephen Pinker’s The Sense of Style and Diane Athill’s Stet all come highly recommended. And a book token never goes amiss…

Depending on the freelancer’s office set-up and working habits, there are plenty of office accessories that could come in useful. A new keyboard or mouse can work wonders, and a second (or third, or fourth) monitor makes such a difference. Freelancers who use video, Skype or screencasting need additional equipment – a good-quality webcam, perhaps, and a suitable headset. Technology offers so many options, but it moves on quickly, so it’s important to choose carefully.

Back on the theme of keeping warm (see also 8 December), it’s great to have something to keep the feet cosy when sitting at a desk for long periods of time. How about a foot warmer that incorporates a hot water bottle? The one in the photo is a few years old, but there are plenty of similar ones available. It stays warm for several hours, and the only downside is having to remember to remove your feet before getting up to go and answer the door… 

Many freelance editors and proofreaders have a variety of projects on the go at once, with plenty of new ones scheduled for the future. Everyone has their own way of keeping track, whether that’s a wall planner, a bullet journal or a traditional desk diary. A tongue-in-cheek alternative is the Perpetual Disappointments Diary, which offers a downbeat yet humorous view of the year ahead and is the ideal gift ‘for pessimists, cynics and losers everywhere’. 

​Time is money for the freelance editorial professional, so anything that can save even a few minutes on a regular basis is worth having. Many editors and proofreaders swear by consistency-checking software PerfectIt, and it’s available for a one-off fee (with a discount for SfEP members). Another handy tool is TextExpander, which allows you to insert snippets of text, as well as images and other items, at the touch of a couple of keys. It works across all devices, and is available for an annual subscription. Why not give the gift of time this Christmas? 

​It’s been scientifically (or at least anecdotally) proven that chocolate is an ideal inducement to keep the editorial freelancer going through a difficult project. Even the promise of just a small amount can help, though if the material has been very hard work, a larger piece is definitely appropriate. The Literary Gift Company has a whole range of suitably packaged chocolate bars, but to be honest, it’s what’s inside the wrapper that counts.

​So many courses, so little time! Editorial freelancers value their continuing professional development (CPD), so it’s always worth investing in some training. The SfEP has a range of courses, both classroom based and online. There’s something to suit everyone, whether it's to strengthen existing skills or develop new ones.