It’s November, and that means the holidays are coming up! It’s often difficult to figure out what present to get someone. So here, I am providing a list of ideas to gift your literature-loving friends or family members!
For Readers
First, books are always a great option. But it can be difficult to know what kind of books someone might like, let alone what books they have already read. One way to find out is by looking at their “Want to Read” list on Goodreads. Another way is by asking one of their family members if they can go look at their bookshelves and see if they own a certain book. You could also get a good old-fashioned gift receipt, or you could just get them a gift card to a bookstore and allow them to pick out what they want! As a reader, I always love receiving books, because even if I don’t have time to read the book right away, I am excited to dive into it when I can!
Bookish items are also a great option. Some examples are bookmarks, annotation tabs, candles, sweatshirts with book quotes on them, tote bags, bookish-patterned tumblers, book sleeves, or cozy blankets. You can find cute things like this from Etsy or The Bookish Goods! I have a purse from The Bookish Goods that says “bookish” all down the strap! It is very cute.
If you know of a specific book or series your loved one enjoys, then a present themed around that would be cool! For example, if they love Pride and Prejudice, you could get them a sweatshirt that says “what excellent boiled potatoes.” If they love the Harry Potter series, you could get them a scarf that matches the color of their Hogwarts house.
Bookish jewelry is also very cute! Earrings shaped like books or swords, a necklace with a book charm, beaded bracelets with a short bookish phrase on them, et cetera.
Book trackers are a cool idea as well. I have seen reading journals at places like Books-A-Million where you can write down each book you read, what you rated it, and a review of the book! It’s a great way to feel extra accomplished after finishing a book, as well as being a device to help you not quickly forget what you just read about (a common problem for readers).
If you want to gift something homemade rather than bought, here are a few ideas for that! You could decorate or crochet a bookmark or book sleeve, you could make beaded bracelets with book titles or characters’ names on them, or you could even annotate a copy of a book you already own and gift it to them.
For Writers
If your loved one is a writer, then writing accessories are a perfect gift! There are lots of options for both digital writing and writing by hand.
Notebooks are always a safe bet. As a writer, I love receiving notebooks. There are so many cool and cute notebooks, and I always want to own them all! One of my favorite brands is Decomposition, which you can find at Target. The cover designs are so cool, and they have spiral-bound binding and sewn binding options. They are also eco-friendly! Target has lots of other cool notebooks and journals too, and you can also find cool notebooks on Etsy or Papier. Occasionally, you can find notebooks or journals at thrift stores too! I thrifted my current journal, and it is beautiful and vintage looking.
What is a notebook without awesome writing utensils? Some of my personal favorites are EMOTT Fine Line Pens, Sharpie S-Gel pens, and Paper Mate Inkjoy colored gel pens.
As for writing digitally, laptop stickers are a fun present! Candles or string lights are also a cool gift idea for writing ambience. Another cute writing accessory is a Palm Pal stuffed animal! They are so cute and soft, and they are small enough to sit on your laptop and be your writing buddy. I have Petunia the butterfly!
Another gift idea for writers is buying them a subscription to a writing program like Dabble, Scrivener, or Pacemaker Planner Premium. An intuitive writing program with a myriad of tools can be an exciting gift! Or you could purchase a Spotify Premium subscription for them, as music is vital for any writer.
Or you could simply offer to read and provide feedback on their draft! A writer values any feedback they can get (as long as it is constructive, of course).
I hope these ideas were helpful! Happy Holidays!