Gift Guide #3: Bookish Gifts To Give Your Favorite Reader
Readers gonna read, read, read.
This post uses affiliate links, so if you purchase something from any of my links, I might get a small commission, which is no extra cost to you. This helps keep Beccaland free!
All images are from brand/ shop websites, so credit to the brands/sites. Graphics were created by me, and graphic design is not my passion; I’m so sorry. I’m doing my best.
I am a huge reader, so of course, I had to share with all of you a bookish gift guide. Yes, you can get your favorite reader books (this is my wish list), but there are so many more things you could get for your bookish bestie.
One of my closest friends got me back into reading, and she reads so quickly and a lot, so unless she tells me she’d like a specific book, I always try to come up with bookish ideas that aren’t books to give her during this time of year.
Also, as someone who also has a habit of buying whatever books I want, although I do love to receive books as gifts, I also love book-related goodies. So here are some great ideas to gift your favorite reader that aren’t books.
Tbr Jar (Purchased or DIY)
A TBR jar is a container full of prompts to help inspire readers to pick up something from their collection. Think of it like picking an idea out of a hat. My current TBR is not in a jar yet, but it’s a Google Doc, which I would love to share/print someday, since it has over 100 prompts; it will likely be my first paywalled post. You can find prompt inspiration all over Pinterest if you’re not sure where to start.
To DIY this, you can grab a jar, it could be a mason jar, a thrifted glass container, or simply just a jar you were about to recycle. For this gift, this is not a level up, but I do think you can either write/type out some prompts and cut them up and put them in the jar, or else you can purchase these (you’ll still need to write them, though).
I will give you seven prompts for ~free~:
A book cover that has your favorite color
A book that takes place during winter
A book title that starts with “The”
A book from an author that you’ve never read
The next book in a series you started.
Level Up: A cute and clever thing you can do is to customize the jar. Use some glitter glue or Mod Podge and have fun with it! You can pair this with a book that matches a prompt.
Annotation Kit
This was a gift request from one of my bookish friends last year. I did purchase one already put together, but you can easily DIY it as well. To DIY, grab up a highlighter or two, a post-it, some pens, some sticky tabs, and put them in a little pencil case or beauty case.
Level Up: You can curate this to be perfectly their aesthetic. Maybe they love pastels or are deeply passionate about one niche color. This would make the kit look super chic. Pairing this with a book is a great idea, or maybe a book journal.
Quirky Bookmark
An unhinged bookmark is always a good choice for a holiday gift for a loved one. You can also get a cute one, but a silly, goofy one is almost more fun. A bookmark is a small gift item, so it would be best as a stocking stuffer or paired with other gifts on this list. I actually have quite a few bookmarks on my wish list this year, but they’re more cute ones, though!
Level Up: You can get a custom bookmark made for the receiver! Like everything else on this list, this pairs well with a book. You could also add this to an annotation kit like above.
Art Related To Their Favorite Book
For this, I am going to skip specific items since this is such a deeply personal gift idea. In the past couple of years, I’ve gone to holiday markets with a friend, and she picked up a piece of “Alice in Wonderland” art that was allegedly for her mom (who was a huge fan). I do not know if she bought me a different one or got it for me, but she gifted me a piece of “Alice in Wonderland” art later in the season, and I love the piece so much. I think this could be a super special gift to a loved one.
Level Up: I think this is a great item on its own, but you can also pair it with another item inspired by the book, like a candle or a bookmark.
Candles
I think candles make for such a great bookish gift, but I do think they’re best paired with other little goodies. You can opt for a candle with a scent you think the recipient would like, or you can pick one with a bookish theme. They are ~soo~ many bookish themed candles for tropes, characters, and worlds your favorite reader loves. The options are legit limitless.
Level Up: Pair this with some other cozy bookish essentials, which I’ll go over below!
A Reader’s Night in Kit
Technically, this is something I cannot give you guys direct links to because it’s something you can put together yourself. Think of this like a gift box curated for your favorite reader. I do have an upcoming post on affordable and cute gift box ideas, but you’ll have to settle for this now. So don’t be surprised when you see this again.
You can easily source items to create the perfect night at home kit for your favorite reader. Below are a couple of items that’ll make the perfect night-in box.
A book ( This is an obvious one)
A couple of tea bags, hot chocolate packets, or coffee (depending on their preference)
A mug or something to drink a beverage out of
Stickers
Fuzzy socks
Bookmarks
A snack (maybe their favorite candy or something festive for the holidays)
An annotation kit
Hand lotion or lip balm
face mask or eye mask
A Blind Date With A Book
I love blind boxes, so I had to include this here! These are my favorite types of gifts to receive for the holidays! I’ve unboxed so many of these throughout the years, and I’ll drop an unboxing below:
These are something that you can buy someone from Etsy or maybe you’re local bookstore! For Etsy, I would recommend asking for your loved ones’ Goodreads lists. Also on Etsy, there are a ton of different themes for blind dates with a book, like a Swiftie one or maybe even a K-pop one ( this is high on my wish list, actually). However, I’m sure if you’re shopping in a store, you can find something that you think the receiver would love.
To DIY this, it’s pretty easy! You can pick up a book that you think your loved one will like, wrap it up ( I see a lot of people using this technique), and decorate it. You can use scrapbook paper or just write directly on the wrapping paper. Feel free to decorate it with stickers or other goodies.
Level Up: Not all of the blind dates with a book, but most include other bookish goodies. Some bookish goodies you can add to this if you DIY it are tea bags, a bookmark, and other little things, like a pen or highlighter.
For more bookish gifting inspiration, my lovely friend Marissa wrote this wonderful post, and you might find some familiar recommendations and more !
For more gift ideas, be sure to follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! And remember, everyone is welcome in Beccaland.