Gifts for Bookworms: 50+ Ideas That Aren’t Just Books

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What should you buy the book lover in your life for Christmas? What are the best gifts for bookworms that aren’t just more books?

You might think the perfect Christmas gift for a book lover is a book. But trust us when we say that they most likely have shelves of books they still haven’t read. So, why not buy them something different this Christmas?

From floating bookshelves to Jane Austen doormats and a book summary subscription, we’ve pulled together the most unique gifts for bookworms this Christmas.

Shortform Subscription

What is a bookworm’s biggest problem? We can safely say it’s having too many books to read in too little time. Almost 130 million books have been published in history, and an avid reader will only get through about 6000 throughout their whole lives. 

With a Shortform subscription, you can get the essential ideas from 1000+ non-fiction books in a fraction of the time it would take to read the whole book. Or, our comprehensive book guides can give you a taste of whether you’d like to read the whole book afterward or if you’ve gotten everything you need already. This way, you get all the key information and ideas from more books in less time. 

This makes the perfect gift for the book lover in your life because it will help them get through their “to-do” shelf much quicker. 

For a 5-day free trial, click here.

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a great gift for bookworms this Christmas, as they’re full of exciting, extra surprises you just don’t get from a book alone:

  • Try this Vintage Book, Tea, and Stationery Subscription Box which contains a surprise vintage paperback, pretty stationery, and some tea.
  • If they have a sweet tooth, we’d recommend the Chocolate and Books Subscription which includes a modern book that has taken inspiration from well-loved classics like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice, as well as a bar of artisan handmade chocolate. 
  • If the book lover in your life also happens to be an introvert, this Read and Relax Subscription is the perfect gift, coming with a book from your chosen genre, as well as a selection of introvert-themed bath products and candles.
  • Another gift for bookworms who enjoy a cozy night in is the Classic Book and Hot Drink Letterbox Gift. This ultimate bookish bundle arrives with your choice of beautiful literary classics as well as a choice of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. 

Hot Drinks

A good cup of tea (or coffee!) is an essential reading companion. Without it, reading just doesn’t feel as cozy. As Anthony Trollope quite rightly said, “what on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?” 

Here is everything your bookworm needs to make the perfect hot drink to complement their reading. You could make them a hot-drink gift basket, or could alternatively buy the gifts separately:

  • Of course, a great mug is essential. For a lover of books, we’d suggest an Ideal Bookshelf Mug (there’s one for every genre) or this Blue Library Card Mug. Both will get your book lover in the right mood for reading.
  • While reading it’s so easy to get distracted, leaving your hot drink to go cold. Help your bookworm avoid cold coffees with this Mug Warmer.
  • Now for the main ingredient—the drink itself. We love these Novel Tea Book Tins, each inspired by a work of classic literature. From War and Peach to Pride and Peppermint, there’s a tea to suit everybody’s tastes. 

For hungry readers, we have a selection of literary snacks that will perfectly accompany a hot drink. Try these Literary Fortune Cookies—or alternatively, The Little Library Cookbook, with over 100 literary-themed recipes to choose from. 

For something a little stronger, this Tequila Mockingbird Cocktail Recipe Book has everything you need to make drinks with a literary twist. Your book lover can pour themselves a Romeo and Julep, or A Rum of One’s Own to accompany their favorite book. 

Reading Accessories

Make reading easier by gifting your book lover one of the following reading accessories. From getting books wet in the bath, to constantly losing their reading glasses, these gifts will solve some of your bookworm’s biggest problems:

Personalized Gifts

Nothing quite shows someone they’re special like a gift made just for them, so the more personalized the better! Your book-loving loved one will appreciate the time and effort you put into giving them a truly unique gift. The following gifts are all from Etsy: 

A final personalized gift idea is a Keepsake Book, which allows you to record meaningful moments and memories in a personalized book. It’s the perfect book to add to the shelves of a sentimental bookworm.

Bookmarks

Is the bookworm in your life always folding pages or using old receipts to mark where they are in a book? Make sure they never lose their place again by buying them one of these beautiful bookmarks:

Bookish Candles

Candles always make Christmas seem that much more magical and cozy. Help your book lover set the mood this year with our selection of bookish candles: 

  • This Bookish Candle smells just like an old bookshop (trust us, they’ll love it!).
  • Transport your loved one to Narnia with the enchanting scent of fresh pine needles and crisp apple from this Narnia Candle. 
  • Uncommon Goods have a great selection of Literary Candles, each based on a classic tale. Recreate the floral scents of the Pemberley Garden with their Pride and Prejudice Candle, or the smell of crackling fires and wildflowers with their candle inspired by Jane Eyre.  
  • Wick and Fable also have a great selection of candles that make perfect gifts for bookworms. Whether they’re fans of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, or Outlander, there’s something they’ll love!

Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters

For the bookworm who likes to annotate and make notes, these pens, pencils, and highlighters are must-haves: 

Jewelry

For beautiful, literary-themed jewelry, look no further. Here are the bookish rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets we recommend as gifts for bookworms:

Games and Entertainment

For the bookworm who likes a bit of fun, these book-related games and gimmicks are great gift ideas:

  • For a bookworm who also likes a bit of blackjack or go fish, try these Writer Playing Cards. Rather than Kings, Queens, and Aces, these cards feature the faces of famous literary icons, like George Orwell, Toni Morrison, and Margaret Atwood. 
  • This unique 100 Books Scratch Off Poster features 100 iconic books to scratch off. As you read your way through, you can scratch off each one. 
  • This Personal Library Kit is a great way to personalize your books and to ensure borrowed books are always returned. 
  • Lit Chat contains 100 book-related conversation starters to get people chatting about books. 
  • This special version of Scrabble made with book lovers in mind is a must-have. 

Reading Journals and Diaries

Chances are your book lover is also a stationery lover—the two tend to go hand in hand. Here are the very best journals and diaries that make great gifts for bookworms:

  • This Bibliophile Reading Journal allows you to review books you’ve read and document books you want to check out. 
  • A popular choice for many book lovers, this Faber Poetry Diary for 2022, this week to a view diary contains a new selection of 40 poems each year. 
  • This pretty Reading Journal includes reading challenges, reading wishlists, reviews, and more. 
  • For a more sustainable option, try a journal from Attic Journals, who make one-of-a-kind upcycled journals from vintage books that were originally destined for dumpsters.

Home Decor

A book lover loves nothing more than a cozy night in with their books for company. For the perfect surroundings, we’ve found the best home decor gifts for bookworms:

Wearable Gifts

Here are some great literary clothing ideas to give as gifts, including bookish dresses, scarves, bags, and more:

Conclusion

We hope our holiday gift guide has helped you to find the perfect gift for the book lover in your life. From a Shortform Subscription to quirky bookmarks and bookish candles, there are plenty of unique gifts for bookworms that aren’t just more books. 

Gifts for Bookworms: 50+ Ideas That Aren’t Just Books

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Elizabeth Shaw

Elizabeth graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in English Literature. Growing up, she enjoyed reading fairy tales, Beatrix Potter stories, and The Wind in the Willows. As of today, her all-time favorite book is Wuthering Heights, with Jane Eyre as a close second. Elizabeth has branched out to non-fiction since graduating and particularly enjoys books relating to mindfulness, self-improvement, history, and philosophy.

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