With just over a week til Christmas, it’s usually about this time of year that I avoid the shops and opt to steer clear of the filled to capacity car parks, long snaking queues, and inevitable widespread Christmas rush.
Whilst online shopping has been a godsend in this regard, this year I am, like many, electing to make Christmas more about people and less about presents.
Despite that, I can’t help but satisfy my inner shopaholic by compiling mental lists of the many things I would love to give and be given, were I and my loved ones in the fortunate position of being ridiculously wealthy.
I’m not gonna lie; Villas in Italy and year long vacations are pretty high on the list. But for all the extravagances money could buy, sometimes it’s the simple things that make me happiest.
With that in mind and not forgetting, of course, my (and presumably also your) reading, writing and book-loving obsessions, I put together a list of ten things that I think many book lovers might appreciate.
Even if you can’t afford it this Christmas, it’s nice to just make believe, right?
Ahem. In no particular order:
- Bookends
No serious book lover can resist a good pair of bookends to keep those books standing tall. Check out this website for 13 Brilliant Bookends. - Personal library kit
Okay, so who hasn’t lent a book to someone only to wonder 6 months later who borrowed it and whether it was returned? A Personal Library Kitis the answer! Channel your inner librarian. - Bookshelves
From functional to fashionable to the down right funky. Why not make your own upside down bookshelf? Or check out 15 very cool bookshelves here. - Bookmarks
I’m not averse to the odd folding of corners and using dog ears to mark my place in a book (I know, I know), but there will always be a place in the world for bookmarks and there are some quite creative ones out there. Great stocking fillers too. My favourite is this DIY bookmark: - Furniture
Furniture? But of course! From book stools to reading chairs to lazy lounges. We want to be comfortable and fashionable while we’re cooing over our favourite reads, don’t we? - Boardgames
There are some literary specific games out there to challenge your book lover friends with. Just to get you started there is the It was a dark and stormy night board game, the Scrabble Book Lovers Edition and the Scrabble Library Classic. - Books Planter
Have a green thumb on top of your book addiction? Want to make your garden as good looking as your bookshelf? How about a Book Planter? - Personalised book
Sometimes there is nothing better than a hand made gift, personalised to the recipient. I’ve found Apple iPhotoan amazing tool for creating soft and hardcover books with pictures and text. - Ereader
They’re not going away any time soon. Kindle, Nook, Kobo. Pick one. They’ll love it. You’ll love it. - Books
And last, but definitely not least. What would a book lover want more for Christmas than more books? Vintage classics, rare editions, new releases, best sellers, hard cover special editions and the most treasured; those that you make yourself.
I can’t go past the Book Depository for their super cheap prices and free delivery worldwide.
10.1. Jewellery
Okay, so this list has a 10.1 entry, because I only today stumbled across these cool little charms for book lovers and realised there’s probably a whole world of book-related bling out there. Like the Jane Austen charm bracelet and this book necklace made of vinyl records:
Any other cool book-related gifts you’ve been dreaming about?
~storytelling nomad~
I love this! I sell books, am book crazy (myself) and would like one of each : )
Book crazies unite! ;)
i love that personal library kit – there’s just something so nostalgic about that library stamp.
Isn’t there just?! Back in the day when you could track its loan history…*nostalgic sigh*
I’ll take all of those to go, thanks. ;)
And the book ends are awesome! The magnetic arrows are so clever, and the “falling books” book end about to crush the little man is just fantastic!
You and me both, Jess! I love the bookends too!
I’m kind of obsessed with bookshelves. Thanks for feeding my addiction!
Happy to oblige, Lissa!
I do appreciate a good bookend! I love the dragon one you have the picture of!
And I really enjoy book furniture as well!
I must have the dragon bookend! MUST I tell you!
Wow, I could actually go for one of each, and I’m not a shopper! That bookmark is funny.
We’re a strange breed, us book lovers! Glad I could ignite your inner consumer, Angela ;)
Love books and love to read! That upside book shelf is pretty neat. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome :) I would just love to see people’s faces when they walk in and see books upside down on the wall. Party trick!
I just love all of these! The personal library kit is a particular favourite though! So clever.
Who would’ve thought such a thing existed, right?!
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I think, Make your own bookmark, is the simple and best idea! Nice post.
Hand made gifts are always something to treasure!
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