Do you have a bookworm on your holiday shopping list this year? If so, here are ten gift ideas that any avid reader will surely love. See the Additional Resources box at the end of the article for links to retailers.
1. The classic gift for bibliophiles, the Itty Bitty BookLight, has undergone a few changes, becoming smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Several different versions are now available. You can purchase the book light with a battery pack or with an electric cord. You can also choose the Paperback version, which is even lighter than the regular version. This gift is always popular and so very affordable at $16.99 to $29.79.
2. If you know the genre of books the reader on your list prefers, a personalized book gift basket from Enchanted Bookery will make the perfect gift. Available in a variety of themes, Enchanted Bookery offers a gift basket that will appeal to almost any reader. Try the Relaxation basket for the frazzled mom, the Who Dunnit? basket for mystery lovers, or the Love at First Sight for the romantic. There are even baskets for younger readers, from newborns to teenagers. Prices range from $60 to $325.
3.A set of bookends from GenericGifts.com will make an eye-catching gift for the book lover. They have bookends to complement almost any décor, from modern to rustic, from elegant to absurd. These well-made bookends range in price from $14.95 to $19.95.
4.It may sound trivial, but one of the most annoying things for an avid reader is trying to stay cozied up under a blanket while holding a book. The blanket inevitably falls. Eliminate this annoyance for your bookworm with an Eco Fleece Blanket with Sleeves. These double-sided fleece blankets are a very convenient way to keep the entire body, including the shoulders and arms, warm while reading. No more trying to keep the blanket from slipping each time you need to turn a page. These are available in sizes Small, Medium and Large and come in eight vibrant colors. ($107.50-119.50)
5.Bookworms seldom have enough storage space for their book collections. If you know a reader who is stowing their books in cardboard boxes and Rubbermaid bins, consider the Sauder Library Bookcase from Stacks and Stacks. This bookcase measures 72.5″h x 29.25″w x 11.5″d, and has five roomy shelves. The beautiful cherry finish will provide an attractive backdrop for the book lover’s favorite tomes. ($160; Stacks and Stacks)
6.Follow an age-old tradition of book lovers with a gift of custom bookplates for the reader on your list. You can design a one-of-kind quality bookplate for your bibliophile with the help of Bookplates.com. Any bookworm would cherish this lovely personalized gift. Prices start at $90 for 250 bookplates.
7.Readers will be able to protect their favorite book with a leather book cover from Ple Designs. These covers can be fully customized. Just provide the dimensions of one of your bookworms most treasured books, and they will make a cover to fit it. The cover can then be personalized with the recipient’s name or favorite saying. A beautiful, thoughtful gift ranging in price from $35 to $45.
8.Readers can accessorize their books with a gift from BookJewelry.com. This retailer has an original take on both bookmarks and jewelry, offering both ready-to-buy and custom versions of their bookmarks. The ribbon bookmarks are strung with beads and any of a wide range of charms. Choose from dozens of charms, from animals to occupations to spiritual, to find the one that best suits the book lover on your list. These pretty bookmarks cost around $10 and will make a wonderful accessory for any book.
9.Let your book lover show her flirty side with a “Reading Is Sexy” t-shirt from designer Sarah Utter. These playful tees are available in a yellow-and-green, cap-sleeve girl-cut version, a green ringer version, and a short- or long-sleeve blue standard cut version. They range in price from $14.95 to $16.95. Check them out at buyolympia.com.
10.For the bookworm who really needs to get away, consider a literary cruise. Several cruise lines are now offering cruises geared specifically toward book lovers, with authors and literary discussions. Although the popular AuthorsatSea.com is not offering another cruise until 2008, you still might plan ahead or look for another option. The Maryland Library Association, for example, is hosting a literary cruise up the Canadian coastline, scheduled for August 25-30, 2007, from $721 per person.
Reference:
- Itty Bitty BookLight: coolstuffcheap.com Book Gift Baskets: Enchanted Bookery Bookends: GenericGifts.com The Eco Fleece Blanket: nouviecomforts.com Sauder Library Bookcase: Stacks and Stacks Custom Bookplates: Bookplates.com Leather Book Covers: Ple Designs Bookmarks: BookJewelry.com “Reading Is Sexy” T-Shirt: buyolympia.com Maryland Library Association Canadian Literary Cruise: Contact Patty Suchy at novelexp@comcast.net
