Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well.
The last few weeks have been some of the busiest of my life. I’ve been travelling up and down the country due to family commitments but they’ve thankfully taken a pause for now.
I know it’s not Christmas, and Valentine’s Day is past us, but I’m very much a person who likes to purchase trinkets for my friends and family throughout the year. Whether it’s paying for their morning coffee or sending them a card - I’m incredibly over-affectionate and I’ve learnt that there really isn’t much wrong with that.
As a book lover, I’m always touched when I’m gifted book-related gifts on my birthday. A lot of my friends have started getting back into reading thanks to TikTok recommendations, which means I can return the favour when their birthday comes around. I recently went to Startford-upon-Avon and the best part of the trip, after Shakespeare’s Birthplace, was the shopping. I hadn’t been in a couple of years and I had no idea of the existence of a Harry Potter shop and an all-year-round Christmas shop.
My most successful blog post, in terms of views, engagement and shares, happens to be my 100+ Gift Ideas article which I published last December. The post was so much fun to write despite the fact I spent a good two hours taking photos of items around my house. I’m so glad that it helped people; getting emails from you guys in regards to how much the post helped them plan their gifts meant a lot.
A few of the gifts I wrote about were literary-related. I didn’t dive into too much detail since I had c.100 other gifts to describe but I thought writing a post on gift ideas for book lovers specifically would be a nice idea.
1. I mentioned bookmarks in my last post. I’ve been gifted so many I simply don’t need to own another. I went through a long period in which I purchased books solely from Book Depository and with every order, they send you a free bookmark. They’re cute, but I tend to throw them in as a freebie whenever I sell my books on Vinted.
If you’re going to get a bookmark I’d advise making it personal - you can get them personalised with photographs and names at Notonthehighstreet.
2. A book itself. It sounds like an obvious choice but I love when my friends ask me what books are on my to-read list, I think it’s really thoughtful. If you want to make it a surprise, see if you can find their ‘to-read’ list on their Goodreads account.
3. A book nook. I’ve seen a lot of Harry Potter and Narnia ones and I think they’re gorgeous.
4. A kit to make their own book nook - I would suggest only buying this for friends who you know will actually have the time to make it.
5. A subscription to a ‘Date with a book’ box. Every month for a period of time they’ll get a book delivered to their door. Depending on the company you use, they could also get a hot drink, candle, pair of socks, bookmark or postcard that corresponds to the text.
6. A bookend. I’m fortunate in the sense that my Harry Potter boxset serves the purpose for me but prior to me coming up with this solution I would awaken at different times at night to half the books on my shelf sliding off.
7. A book sleeve is perfect for commuters. I used to shove whatever book I was reading into my laptop bag, allowing my bookmark to fall out and for the pages to age at a quicker pace. You can get these in a variety of sizes and designs, some with pockets, some with buttons, etc.
8. Etsy art or prints of their favourite quote. My best friends Aimee and Isabel gave me a frame that says ‘she believed she could so she did’ which I keep on my desk at work.
9. You can also get prints of their favourite setting.
10. If they’re into puzzles, get them a jigsaw with the picture being their favourite book cover, character, setting, etc. I got given a jigsaw a few years ago of a bookshelf with all my favourite books on it.
11. I’ve seen personalised book candles on Etsy in which candle-makers create scents that are what they imagine the Weasley’s home in Harry Potter smells like.
12. A book journal to keep track of the books they’ve been reading.
13. An Audible gift card or a gift card for any bookshop.
14. Companies like Literary Emporium do sweatshirts and hoodies with literary quotations.
15. A book stamp has been on my wishlist for a while - you can get these personalised with names.
16. On Etsy, I’ve recently seen necklaces in which the charm or pendant is a book, in which there’s a quotation inside. Alternatively, you can get a bracelet, bangle or ring engraved with their favourite quote.
17. A jar full of their favourite quotes. You can make this yourself, decorate and personalise it with quotations particular to you.
18. Folded book art. I’ve seen a few of these and to be honest I find them quite freaky to look at. Alternatively, you can get artificial bouquets in which origami flowers are made from fake book pages.
19. A page weight. I desperately need one, it saves you from rearranging your place on the sofa a dozen times in the middle of one sitting.
20. A clip-on, detachable reading light. If only I'd had one of these as a kid.
21. I know it's controversial for a book lover to so much as look at these but a Kindle. They're great for commuters. If your commuter friend already owns one, consider getting them a case for it.
22. A postcard set with illustrations of their favourite classics. I've purchased a set from Bookishly to decorate my room.
23. A 'scratch with a coin' poster with the most-read books in popular culture.
24. A tote bag. These are ideal if your friend is a teacher or a library-goer, they're extremely durable.
25. Tickets to the cinema or theatre to watch an adaption of their favourite book. I'd be more than okay with this. Anyone would.
Hi guys - I hope you're well. The last few weeks have been really, really hard.
I've been journaling more. I've been writing poetry more. I've been crying more, to be honest.
Life is very much on a downward slope at the moment. I'm striving for happiness. Trying the best I can.
Hope you're well,
KT
xx