Every year around the holiday gift-giving season, e-readers make the tops of listicles, the world over aimed at shoppers searching for the perfect gifts for voracious readers in their lives. But for many low-income people celebrating the holidays, e-readers are not only out of reach but seeing them everywhere can feel like the whole world is making fun of those who can’t afford them (AND by the way, you can forget investing in the money-saving nature of ebooks-- in the long run it just isn’t a feasible option for anyone living paycheck to paycheck). Likewise, e-readers last for years, but Christmas and Hanukkah? Not so much. So, if e-readers aren’t an option and you’re struggling to keep up with your loved one’s to-read list, here are some options to get a bookworm you love, just in time for the holidays.
To bring books and fashion together, you can never go wrong with a book scarf. Storiarts is the brand quoted above, because they are by far the most popular brand, so if you want one of their accessories order now because they sell out fast! But, Storiarts is also the most expensive, so if you aren’t up to shelling out for the brand name, or you don’t know what book your loved one wants, fashionable non-specific scarves are also available on the Amazon marketplace from a variety of sellers.
2. Bookplates AKA “From the Library Of” Stickers
Bookplates are a way to give books a touch of personality from the person who reads them, and they're a way for readers to make their copies their own. You can by them with all types of pictures or saying, and even ones that are personalized. My grandmother got me a box of these for Christmas one year, and I loved them, even if I ran out pretty fast. But, if you are worried about them running out, alternatives such as an embosser or personalized stamps are also options.
For many, keeping up with book-lover’s newest favorites can be a task all on its own, but most have a few old loves they turn to again and again, and soon enough their true favorites are falling apart from being read over and over, so getting them a new copy with fresh pages and a gorgeous new cover can make them itching to fall in love with it all over again. Many book series come out with new box set editions once they're finished, such as the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series above, or you can find a starting place in Barnes and Noble, a company that has an entire line of collectible editions.
4. Their own copies of borrowed books they loved
Alternatively, you may notice that they can’t stop talking about a borrowed book they might have read thanks to a library or friend. Think about gifting them with a copy of their own that they can love for many re-reads to come, just like this nice shopkeeper from Beauty in the Beast!
5. Notebooks- Prices Vary
The secret to a good writer is to first be a good reader, of course, not every reader will turn out to love writing their own stories as much as they love reading other people’s but try getting them a blank book that reminds you of them and see if they take to to a new hobby. Take a look at what your local bookstore has to offer in this section and see if any of the covers jump out at you.
If someone close to you is always loaning out books and never getting them back, try a Personal Library Kit, so they can be sure to get their favorites back every time.
7. A Books Scented Candle- $18
Frostbeard is an amazing company that caters to book lovers. Not only is this candle available, but they also have other candles meant to evoke specific books from Harry Potter to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Or if you can't decide between several different candles, Frostbeard also offers 5 themed sample packs for $12 each.
8. A copy of one of your own favorites
Reading a book that someone loved is special in the same way that listening to someone else's favorite song is special, in that you can learn so much about a person from learning about the characters they relate to and the world they want to become a part of. This is something I do a lot with my own friends, where I re-gift books that I loved to friends that I think will love them as well. Don't expect it to be their favorite because it's yours, but it can still strengthen the bond between the two of you!
