Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
My family can turn any occasion into a gift-giving occasion. Beyond birthdays, Hanukkah, and rewards for finding the Afikomen, there are presents for the first day of school, the last day of school, calendars for New Years, chocolates for Valentine’s Day, presents for Rosh Hashanah, and more. I enjoy hunting around for a great gift for a loved one. Sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss, but those times when you surprise someone with something they love — and didn’t even know they needed — feel great.
I love to give books, of course, but sometimes you want to give a gift to a book lover that isn’t a work of literature. Here are some ideas for great presents for the book obsessed.
Book weight
My friend Jane gave me this awesome book weight many years ago. It was helpful when I nursed my infant years ago and hand no hands free to hold a book open. It’s also helpful for knitters and other crafters or musicians.
Bookmarks
In our house, we actually buy really cheap bookmarks in bulk because we tend to go through them so quickly. But for a gift, a special bookmark is a treat. I treasure the bookmarks friends brought me back from trips to Japan and Turkey. This bookmark shaped like the Met Museum’s mascot William would be a delightful way to keep my place.
Book ends
There are beautiful book ends out there to straighten and beautify your bookshelves. I particularly like these primary-colored bookends from MoMA. They will look great propping up your favorite books.
Book-themed t-shirts
Book-lovers are not shy about their passion, and I’m confident that they would enjoy wearing these fun and funny book-themed shirts from Out of Print. They have options featuring book covers from Fahrenheit 451 and The Outsiders to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Anne of Green Gables as well as choices with sayings like “Books turn Muggles into Wizards” and “Book Nerd.”
Book cover postcards
Penguin Random House sells a wide selection of postcards inspired by the books they publish. My favorite is this collection of 100 of their classic books. Whether the recipient uses the postcards as bookmarks or sends them as missives from their travels, they would be a delight.
Blank books
Book people like to write things down. Whether they are writing their own manuscript or making lists of books they have read or want to read next, we book folk needs places to WRITE STUFF DOWN. These moleskine blank books are petite and portable.
Cookbook stand
If your book lover also cooks, having a cookbook stand is a game changer. The one I have used for years is like this great stand with shield from Etsy. Having the acrylic shield if key for me, as it catches any splatters. I mean, it’s charming to have a food-stained cookbook on the page of a favorite recipe, but only to a point, right?