The Ultimate Bookish (Non-Book) Holiday Gift Guide
Bookworms: Send this to your mom.
Hi, book friends.
There are a million and one book gift guides out there — but far fewer lists of gift ideas for readers that aren’t books. After all, it can be hard to know which books the readers in your life already own (or not). I used to have a list like this on my old blog before I moved to Substack, but that’s archived now. So it’s time for a new one!
Below, you’ll find nearly 40 different gift ideas at all price points, sourced from the Bookstagram community and sorted into five categories: my top recs, reading accessories, big gifts ($ or size), fun Etsy finds, and digital/last-minute gifts. And, of course, not a single Amazon link in sight. 😉 That does mean you have to shop early — unless, of course, you choose one of the digital gift ideas! But shopping early (and small) is a good idea anyway, not only for your sanity, but also because it’s tremendously helpful for small businesses.
One last thing before we dive in: Just because I don’t have any actual books on this list doesn’t mean I don’t think books are an amazing gift! Please please please buy your loved ones books, and buy them from your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org. Indie bookstores make the biggest chunk of their revenue during the holiday season and depend on that influx to sustain them throughout the year.
To help, I’m taking book gift recommendation requests in my free subscriber chat in the Substack app. Come tell me a book your loved one enjoyed (or about their interests more broadly), and I’ll recommend a book or two for you to get them. (And of course, indie bookstores’ book box subscriptions and gift cards are always good choices, too!)
Okay, onto the non-book gift ideas!
My top picks
Every reader needs a book cart. I don’t make the rules! I really like this one from Target ($40), which I have bought for myself and others, including @danielleisreading, who also recommended it when I asked for ideas on Instagram.
Did you know that many major library systems offer non-resident library cards? You pay an annual donation, and then you can access their big catalogues on Libby, Hoopla, etc even if you don’t live there. Two popular ones are Miami ($65; I use this one) and NOLA ($50). Bonus: Who wouldn’t love knowing that the gift you got them directly supported a library??
Simple, but guaranteed to be a hit: merch from their favorite indie bookstore! Think high-quality totes, mugs, apparel, etc. If they live in an indie bookstore desert (sad!), there are some famous ones like Strand Bookstore in NYC and Powell’s Books in Portland that I bet any bookworm would gladly represent. I own love this cute and sturdy tote from the Strand ($30).
Reading accessories
Multiple people on Instagram (@drmcmillonbrown, @overbookedbibliophile, @rachnreads, @paperandpods) recommended a book light — classic for a reason — but I didn’t expect so many people to rec a specific brand! My book light is so old that I’m out of the loop. But apparently Glucosent book lights are the way to go these days.
They have two rechargeable versions in a shape you might expect: this traditional one ($15) and this bookmark-shaped one, which I’m eyeing ($19).
They also have this kind-of-silly-but-kind-of-awesome one that goes around your neck ($32), which is reportedly also great for crafting.
If your bookworm is one who likes to mark favorite passages for later, get them a tin of book darts ($20 for 125). @definitelyra recommended these, but so do I — I got a tin of them with my Page1 book subscription a few years ago and used them all.
Another classic reading accessory is the book sleeve — a fabric pouch for your book so that protects it from getting damaged in your bag when you bring it on the go. Book Beau ($26) is a beloved small business who makes these. (h/t @stefhornung for the brand rec and @erinstebbins for the rec on sleeves in general.)
Book Beau also makes book pillows ($31) —formerly called “Book Beans” — that give you a platform for your book while you’re reading on the couch. (h/t @readingtomydogs)
Speaking of reading on the couch, don’t sleep on the little accessories that hold your book open for you. I have a Page Anchor ($40) and use it literally every day. I love how sturdy it is; I have zero fear of it ever, ever getting bent or dinged up. Book weights like this one ($30) are also super popular! (h/t @_lia_reads_) to hold the book open
I haven’t tried one myself — while I love stationery just as much as you all, I’m ultimately a digital journal kinda girl — but a reading journal might hit the spot! @arynanderfield recommends the My Reading Life Book Journal by Anne Bogel ($20, affiliate link).
Go big (in price or size)
Bookworms love warm beverages; it’s nearly universal. This rec would absolutely go in my top picks category if it wasn’t slightly expensive, but please trust me when I tell you that the Ember mug ($150) is absolutely worth it (and at the time of sending, they are having a 25% off Black Friday sale!). I got mine as a gift, but I use it every single day; if it ever broke, I would spend the money to replace it in a heartbeat. I love the new shade of green they added!
Why not go literally big with an Ikea Billy bookcase ($69)? This is the gold standard of bookshelves among all bookworms, and it’s not even expensive. Don’t sleep on the fact that there’s a cutout in the back for your baseboards so that it can sit flush against the wall. Trust me; this gift will be a huge (heh) hit.
This personalized blanket of their favorite books ($115+) looks soooooo cool!
I got my mom a Little Free Library ($190+) a few years ago, and it was such a fun gift. She loved it, and it gets a lot of use! Plus, I personally now have the perfect place to offload books every once in awhile.
@eunicek82 recommended this absolutely ridiculous but amazing book stand ($210), and if you buy this, PLEASE send a photo.
Fun Etsy finds
No prices listed here because you can find a ton of variations of most of these items across Etsy — shop around for good prices and shops with good reviews!
Another classic bookworm gift: a name stamp (h/t @emzi.reads) or embosser (h/t @incessantbookworm).
Maybe a personalized library sign — or something like this cool neon one??
I’m obsessed with this book flower vase — and these ones too.
I personally own approximately 800 bookmarks. A dedicated bookmark holder could be a very cute gift.
The CUTEST idea: a “sleep or one more chapter” coin that your bookworm can flip to decide at 1 AM.
A Smut St sign — enough said.
Does your bookworm have a Little Free Library where mean people come and steal all the good books to resell later? Here’s a stamp they can use to mark the pages to try to deter it. Or just mark the books for fun!
I love this cute little ”TBR” sign that goes right on their bookcase to mark a shelf of hopefuls.
Speaking of TBRs, this TBR jar is a very fun idea!
I own and love this awesome library card tray — it sits on our sectional and has been used every day for years, and it’s still in perfect shape. It was sold out for awhile, but it looks like it’s back, so don’t sleep on it!
The same shop also has this very cute set of coasters, if that’s more your thing.
Speaking library card decor, pillows!!!
Digital / last-minute gifts
Does your bookworm love audiobooks? Get them a bundle of Libro.fm credits ($30+, affiliate link) so they can buy their audiobooks from the best audiobook platform out there — which also shares revenue with indie bookstores! You can also gift a specific audiobook if you want.
StoryGraph is a Goodreads/Amazon alternative that focuses on helping readers really track and understand their reading habits (hence the “graph” part). Get them a StoryGraph Plus subscription ($50), and support this Black-woman-led company too! (h/t @hope_dorman)
A subscription to Everand ($17/month) is also a great idea. They’re basically like the library, except no wait times!
Do they have a favorite author? Does that author have a paid Substack or Patreon? Get them a subscription!
They might also like a subscription to The New Yorker or another literary magazine. (Support literary magazines!!
And finally, bringing it back to warm beverages: David’s Tea is the best tea. Trust me.
As always, thanks for sharing your corner of the internet with me! It would mean a lot if you were to take a second to like this post. I’d love to hear your gift ideas in the comments, too.
Finally, if you like this newsletter, please send a few friends my way.
See you on Instagram!
— Deedi (she/her)