I know most of my readers are femmes, and all of you are nerdy bookish types like me. But perhaps you can drop this link to your significant others, so that you actually get something you want this year…
Alright, SOs. It’s that time of year again…you’ve exhausted all your good gift ideas at Christmas, your lady or guy has high expectations, and you don’t know what to do. Do they love books? Read on.
Honestly, they probably just want books. I know, non-bookish people think it sounds boring. Pat won’t buy me books because he thinks I’ll think he’s not putting enough effort in, but he’s completely wrong! I’d be thrilled if he bought me a few titles off my wishlist. Amazon makes this SO EASY. All you have to do is add a bunch of titles you’re into to a list, share the link, and the books get sent right to your door without the buyer needing to know your address. If you’d rather support indie bookstores (always my recommendation), you still can view the wishlist for ideas and know you’re striking gifting gold. I honestly don’t know why he’s never done this!
If they don’t have a wishlist, you could check out this list of Best Books of 2020.
But if you’re anything like my boyfriend and for some reason refuse to buy a bookworm a book, here are a few book-adjacent ideas for the Valentine’s day:
A “Comfy”
The Comfy is the new snuggie. I honestly don’t know the difference besides the fluffiness level of the inside of the Comfy, but Snuggies are out and Comfies are in. My boyfriend got me the burgundy one, and let me tell you, I no longer wear anything else at home. I feel like Baymax from Big Hero Six when I’m wearing it.
I was jellyfishing around our house wearing my Comfy the other day. Pat looks at me and goes, “I don’t know why I bought that for you. You’re never going to dress sexy for me again”. He’s not wrong, not that I wore anything besides sweats prior to getting the Comfy.
Anyways, it’s the most comfortable thing I own and I’d be perfectly happy never taking it off.
Get yours here!
A Library Embosser
I just think these are the coolest thing. Do you lend out your books to friends? Do you worry about getting them back? This embosser can be personalized to match your tastes or book blog brand. There are so many different types available on both Amazon and Etsy. The best part is that once you have the embosser, you can get multiple plates to use in it! I think this would be an adorable way to personalize wedding invites or thank-you cards, too.
If you don’t want crimped pages, there are also an assortment of personalized book stamps that serve the same purpose!
Get yours here!
A Page Holder
Does your bookworm complain of sore fingers after a long reading session? Are hefty hardcovers too big for their small hands? This fashionable pageholder keeps pages open with less stress on delicate fingers, and looks great on the shelf between uses.
Get yours here!
Bookish Sweatshirts/T-Shirts/etc
For Christmas, Pat got me a sweatshirt that says “Dogs & Books & Coffee”. I love it–my whole personality summed up in one phrase! (Actually, I also like naps and hiking and travel. But you get the point). Bookish attire makes for the perfect Instagram shot!
A BOTM Subscription
You all know I love Book of the Month. It’s an amazing deal, and there’s nothing better than having new-release books show up at my door at the beginning of each month (which reminds me, it’s almost time to pick again!). There are tons of other subscription box options out there, but this is the one that I use and can recommend.
Use my referral link to get a discount on your first box.
Candles
I think candles are the perfect way to set the mood while I snuggle up with a good read. Especially in the winter! It’s fun to try to match the candle scent with the scenery in the book, so I always need a good variety of candles available.
Bonus: You can use them for adorable Bookstagram shots!
An Audible Subscription
If you’ve ever checked out my monthly wrap-ups, you know I listen to a TON of audiobooks. I listen literally all day at work, which is the only reason I am able to read so many books so quickly. If your booklover often has their hands full, Audible may be for them!
I love gifts that are something I want but would never buy for myself. My Audible membership fits into that category–it was a gift from a family member. I love it and use it constantly, but I don’t think I would have bought it for myself if it wasn’t a gift first!
Here’s the sign up link for a gifted membership: Audible
If they don’t have a kindle yet, snag one here from Amazon’s Kindle Valentine’s Day sale!
If you like these suggestions, shop this list on Amazon here!
What not to get
I figured I’d dedicate a quick paragraph to what NOT to get the book-lover in your life. Of course, everyone is different, but these are the things I either don’t want or don’t need:
Books that aren’t on my wishlist.
Unless I’ve specifically mentioned a book you don’t see on my wishlist, it’s best to skip it. I keep my wishlist pretty up to date, and there are plenty of options on it. Why risk it with a book you’re not sure I’ll like?
Books with movie/TV scenes on the cover
This one is a huge pet peeve of mine. Nothing ruins a good book cover faster than putting the actors from the screen adaptation on it! I don’t understand why publishers do this. If you’re buying a book, always buy the version with the original cover.
Bookmarks
Bookmarks can be cute and all, but I just have SO MANY of them. So do most of the book-lovers I know. I enjoy them, but it’s not worth spending the money on unless it has particular meaning to the two of you. More often than not, I’ll just shove whatever flat object is within reach between the pages to mark my spot anyways.
Mugs
Don’t get me wrong, I love a cute mug with a funny saying. This is just another thing I have way too many of. Know what your bookworm already has, and don’t buy more of something they already have too many of! Unless it’s books. You can never have enough books.
What do you want for Valentine’s Day?
Let me know in the comments!
