*Note: If you order these items now, they might not get here in time for Christmas*
With Christmas only 12 days away, I’m sure some of you are panicking, trying to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family. A lot of times, our friends and family don’t know what to get us, either. Most of us have so many books, they’re afraid to surprise us with a new one out of fear that we already have one. Here are five options that you can pass along, if anybody (including you!) needs any ideas:
1. Gift Cards
I know they’re not as much fun to buy, or as exciting to open, but a lot of times gift cards can be the best gifts. That way, the person can buy whatever book they want! It’s always nice to have a gift card when you’re buying a book. (Let’s be honest…we all know we buy more eventually!)
Some ideas for book gift cards are:
- Amazon
- Book Depository
- Book Outlet
- Half Price Books
- Local Indie Bookstore (Anderson’s Bookshop, etc.)
Personally, I would recommend getting gift cards to local indie bookstores. I go to Anderson’s for author events, which require a book to be purchased in order to join the signing line. They’re always full price, so it’s nice to have a gift card!
2. Books on Shirts, Totes, and Posters
This is something that I’ve always found so interesting! A website called “Lithographs” has over 200 books that are printed on T-shirts, bags, and posters. That’s right, they print the entire book with designs that are related to the book! They come in multiple colors. Below, I’ve included pictures of products of Victoria Aveyard’s “Red Queen.” You can browse the site and shop here.
3. Book Subscription Boxes
These can be a bit pricey, but that’s why they make great gifts! For those who don’t know, subscription boxes are (usually) monthly boxes that get delivered right to your door. They typically include a book and a bunch of bookish knick-knacks, such as bookmarks, pins, socks, etc. Adam Bryan at UrbanTasteBud.com wrote a great post with book boxes. I’ve never bought one before, but they look really cool!
4. Bookmarks
Bookmarks are always a good idea. I’m always misplacing mine, so they will definitely get used! There are a lot of pretty ones out there, so I don’t want to steer you towards any specific store. A quick Google search or visit to your local bookstore will give you some ideas. Bonus points if it’s related to a favorite book of the person who you’re buying it for!
5. Personal Library Kit
Although I don’t have one, I found a personal library kit on Amazon, and it looks so cool! It’s just over $15, and includes free shipping. Find out more information here!
6. Notebooks
Notebooks can have multiple purposes. A lot of book lovers are also writers, so it’s always nice to have a notebook around to write down your thoughts. Every year, I make a list of all of the books I’ve read that year, including the title, author, and the start and end date of when I read it.
7. Personalized Pencils
There might be better sites to get this from, but I found some on Oriental Trading. In 3rd grade, my teacher got my classmates and I pencils with our names engraved on them, and I loved it!
8. Book Stack Ornament
This one is a bit pricey, on sale for $20. However, it’s a pretty addition to any book lover’s Christmas Tree!
9. Blind Date With a Book
I couldn’t find anywhere online to send you to, but most indie bookstores have displays with books that are wrapped up in paper, and have short descriptions of the book that gives an age range and general description while not spoiling the title or detailed plot points of the book. This does run the risk of being a book that person still has, but still! You can always get a gift receipt if you’r worried about it.
10. Bookish Jewelry
You can find a ton of this on Etsy.com! There are necklaces, bracelets, etc. that are just generally related to books, or if you know a specific book or fandom, you can find a lot of really great specific jewelry. For example, for fans of the Shadowhunters novels by Cassandra Clare, there are a ton of pieces of jewelry that are related to and inspired by the series.
buried in a bookshelf 