The dilemma
Your loved one is an avid reader. Paperbacks litter every free space on shelves. Stacks of hardbacks line up like soldiers against any open wall space. Books are their love language. But the holidays are coming and you want to give your bookworm something unexpected. Something that’s not another book.
The Solution
Delight your reader with something from one of the stores below this holiday season!
*I am not an affiliate for any of these brands. I just love their products.*
Imaginary Authors: According the About page, Imaginary Authors says they think of fragrances like books: A person should have many on their shelf. To that end, their products are a bibliophile and perfume connoisseur dream. Each of their fragrances has its own story, literally. The descriptions read like back cover copy, including plots and characters. I suggest picking up a sample set (like Beach Reads and The Best Short Stories) so your bookworm can test them out and discover their own favorite story scent. My go-to from this brand is Fox in the Flowerbed :)
Obvious State: Literary inspired art and stationery is what this shop is all about. It’s a creative studio and indie publisher created by a married couple. Their mostly black and white art, like this Leo Tolstoy design, is stark and stunning. So is this Shakespeare one with a cat. I do wish they offered more mystery themed offerings beyond this one Agatha Christie print and a bit of Poe. I’ve given their bookmark and notecard sets as gifts before and the recipients loved the items.
Frostbeard Studio: This store specializes in candles, and by golly there’s a scent here for every booklover. I, of course, love Sherlock’s Study and Bookstore. While the Studio’s permanent selection is limited, they do continue to add new scents and even bring back retired fan favorites if there is a large enough demand. Additionally, they offer subscription boxes you could gift to your reader.
The Reader’s Catalog: The Reader’s Catalog offers a smorgasbord of items readers and writers will adore! An array of notecards (like these Booklover Holiday Cards and Glen Baxter notecards), puzzles (featuring Classic Covers, Edward Gorey, and Sherlock Holmes), and other home and office goods offer something for everyone. For younger readers, try the BabyLit books (yes, I know I said no books, but these are adorable and encourage reading) and The Young Booklover’s Holiday Advent Calendar.
Out Of Print: The go-to place for literary themed clothing, accessories, and home goods. Among my favorite items are the Nancy Drew selection (including this tote bag and these socks), these Sherlock Holmes socks, and this Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy pin set.
Uncommon Goods: I could get lost on this site for days. There is soooo much to gawk at. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: this interactive mug, a literary insults chart, a tea collection for booklovers, Agatha Christie murder mystery mugs, this booklover’s card game, and this Solve The Case Escape Room. Just a tip, things sell out fast so if you find something you love, snag it!
The Strand: The Strand bookstore has been a New York City staple since 1927. Here, focus on the Studio Strand for iconic one-of-a-kind tote bags, book accessories, stationery, and other gifts.
The New York Public Library Shop: A wonderful place to find gifts for your reader! Look at the calendars (like this NYPL calendar with vintage illustrations), this King Kong bookend set, the NYPL Library Card blanket, and this NYPL Read Banned Books pennant.
The Library of Congress Store: Tons of unique gift ideas live here. The Brunnhilde and Floradora bookmarks, the book spine pencil cup and magnifier, the bookfan, and this Library Bookshelf silk scarf are all things I’d love to receive. Or this reading shawl with pockets. And they offer an awesome selection of prints, too.
Other ideas
How about a subscription (print or digital) to a magazine? Bookmarks and Oh Reader are great for readers who crave articles on reading and books written by other bookworms. On the short story front, choices include Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine.
For readers who like to annotate but don’t want to write in the margins of their books, transparent sticky notes (like these from Post-It) could be a great stocking stuffer.
For your “just one more chapter” readers with significant others, a sturdy book light could be handy. These days there are tons of inexpensive options and many have adjustable and ambient lighting.
A reading journal provides detail-oriented bookworms with a place to document their thoughts on all the books they read, or plan to.
Bookmarks. I love getting bookmarks! Buy some from a store or make your own to gift to your reader. Either way, your reader will think of you when they use it.
My last suggestion is a cozy and warm blanket for your reader to curl up under when they read their books.
Wow, that was a lot more than I intended to suggest!
Bookworms love reading, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to books when giving out gifts. And, if in doubt, a gift card to the local book store is always a winner…
Happy holidays!
I'm glad you enjoyed the suggestions!
What fun ideas! Thanks for putting this list together, Kate!