December 16, 2024
If you’re a reader like me, you freeze when someone asks you what books you want for Christmas. While I am always thankful for whatever books I get from people, sometimes an awkward moment arises when a book I’ve received from someone is a book I already own. Thankfully, there is a long list of budget-friendly book-related goodies that will make any reader on your list feel special! Though, if you’re like me, you may be tempted to buy a few of these for yourself!
Disclaimer: To not support the billionaires, I will be linking to small handmade shops and niche websites. I do not have affiliations with independent sellers, nor do I earn anything from endorsing them.
Book Nook Kits
One of the more popular items I’ve seen lately online for book lovers are DIY book nooks. They fit in between your books and are a fun, eye-catching addition to your shelves. You get to build it yourself with instructions, and you can buy one as easy or as hard as you’d like. Most of them do not come with glue or scissors. Think of this as the bookworms version of a model car.
A few shops that sell these are:
Wedge Pillows
Having a pillow like this is heaven-sent for my back when I read in bed. If my aim is to read and not sleep, I need to sit up higher and my regular pillows offer no support for that. It may seem a little bulky but it provides plenty of neck support. It’s one of the best ones I’ve found so far, thick and heavy with plenty of filling and it keeps its shape.
Book Safe with Key
I got this one thinking maybe I would put it on the shelf and forget about it, but it provides a little peace of mind and is easily disguised on your bookshelf. This one in particular has a strong locking system, and you can hide whatever you want as long as it fits. I also did some product testing, and it does not crack open under stress, which is a good thing to prevent someone from prying it open, but a bad thing if you lose the keys!
Get yours here at selfdefenseproductsinc.com
A Warm Chunky Knit Blanket
Blankets and books just go together. So well, in fact, that it’s second nature to burrow under a well-loved blanket and crack open my newest read. One of my close friends recently made her first arm knit chunky blanket and it was a resounding success. However, if you’re not a crafty DIY fabric person (I’m definitely not), there are plenty of options to buy one for a book lover.
If you are a crafty type, and would like to make one as a gift, I found this handy guide for making one! Happy knitting!
Personalized Page Embosser
Personalized embossers are incredibly popular right now among book lovers and collectors. Having your name in your favorite books, making them feel more timeless to you, it’s a lovely bespoke gift. And getting one now is easier and more portable than ever. I got one for Christmas last year, and I had a lot of fun using it on my favorite books that I was certain I was going to keep and pass on to my own kids.
A few shops that make and sell these are:
Wooden Bookmarks
Readers seem to fall into three bookmark camps. Those who use designated bookmarks, those who use just about anything as a bookmark, and the maniacs who dog-ear their books. Wooden bookmarks are a fantastic and durable option that brings that craftsmanship feel to the gift. They make great stocking stuffers, and some makers offer laser engraving options that customizes the bookmark for your giftee. You can even buy them in bulk for your book club or family from some makers.
Here are a few makers who offer them:
Book Journal
Some people like to record their reading prowess online, but some like to write about their books with pen to paper. Journals like these provide individual pages dedicated to a book apiece. You can review the book, fill in your star rating, and even designate where or whom you got the book from. It’s a helpful way to slow down and absorb what you just read, by writing about it. It’s a nice keepsake and later on you can flip through and read about the books you read.
Here are a few places you can get one.
Bookends
Bookends are a classic and timeless way to bring personality to bookshelves. There are so many unique options that can be made custom or suited to any style. If you know your loved one, you can probably take a guess as to what style they lean towards.
Here are a few shops to pick out yours
Rating Stickers
This one is related to the book journal idea. If you want to make your own book journal, these are a fantastic option to add to your pages. Or they can be coupled with a blank journal as a gift. They even come in peppers for, you know, spice levels for your book ratings. If you know, you know. They even come in stamp form, I’ll link one of those below. Another great stocking stuffer option for a book lover!
Find yours here:
- PurplePiscesCreations on Etsy
- ScrawlStudio1 on Etsy (This is the stamp)
- TyrianDesigns on Etsy
Thumb Page Holders
I have a couple of these thumb holders, and I love them. When I read my physical books and they’re one of the big chunky books, these help relieve stress on my hand and keep the book open. The sky is the limit with colors and designs on these, since many of them are uniquely made from resin. Some are made from wood too, and my wooden one is well loved and used often. These also make great stocking stuffers.
Find yours from one of these makers:
Book Cart
I’m seeing these on a lot of wishlists and Youtube videos, and Booktok girlies have integrated these into their libraries. These are great if you’re limited on space in your house, don’t have a lot of physical books, or if you want to have a whole book reading zone station next to your reading space. (Think: Spot for a drink, pen cup for highlighters, and space for annotating supplies…) and they’re very budget friendly. I picked mine up from IKEA, but now they’re at Michaels as well. While I wish I had room for the big metal library carts you’d find in an actual municipal library or school, these do just as great and they can be dressed up or repainted to your hearts content. Assembly is required but it’s super easy.
Book Sleeves
Book sleeves are a charming little accessory to put your book in, protecting maybe a borrowed book from damage in your bag. While a bit of size limited depending on your book, these handmade sleeves could come with a pocket for a highlighter and pen. Or, if you have an E-reader that isn’t your phone, you can find a padded one to protect your device! All the ones I’ve seen are quite stylish.
Get one from one of these makers:
Personalized Library Sign
If you’re like me, you like having knick-knacks displayed in front of your books on your shelves. A personalized sign would be a perfect addition to a home library. It’s not usually something your bookworm would get for themselves. Just like the personalized embosser, it is a lovely home library detail that makes the space more intimate and personal.
Get one from one of these makers:
Book-Themed Drink Tumbler
2024 was even more the year of the large tumbler with a handle. They’re getting ever more fancy, with custom engravings and you can order a custom tumbler in whatever style you can think of. Name-brand ones like Stanleys obviously fetch a higher price, but there are several custom book themed containers on the market. With your drinking receptacle an increasing status symbol, this would make a perfect gift.
Get one from one of these makers:
Neck Book Light
I can see where these would come in handy. If your spouse wants to sleep and you don’t want a lot of light in the room, concentrated light coming from this would help you read late into the night. It would save you holding your phone awkwardly as you read. I also see this as a good thing on a train or plane trip if you’re around other people.
Custom Book Tote
I got one of these as a gift from my wife, and I’m in love with it. I can take it with me to bookstores and it always brings up conversations at the checkout counter. It is an eco-friendly and cute solution to plastic bags, and the thick canvas protects your newest book haul. There are so many options online for screen-printed custom bags; you can go in any direction.
Get yours from one of these makers:
Book-Lovers Coffee Mug
Coffee and books go hand-in-hand. The concept of enjoying coffee during your reading session is so intertwined that when I make my coffee I want to pull out my book automatically. To help encourage your bookworm friends, offer them a fun book-related mug. It will always connect the fated pairing of coffee and reading sessions. This is a fail-safe gift option, after all you can never have enough mugs, right?
Get one from one of these makers:
I hope some of these gift ideas makes it easier for you to get a one-of-a-kind book themed gift for your friend or loved one. After all, it is hard to keep up with their book buying, and if I’m honest, I wouldn’t dare try. If you do end up getting a gift from one of these makers, comment below and tell me what you got from where!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Please like and share to spread the cheer.
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