Gift Ideas for Readers and Writers They’ll Actually Love

Shopping for others can be tough: you want a gift that conveys meaning, but also something people will actually use. As readers ourselves, we understand how difficult it is to get something we actually want. We’ve been on the receiving end of those well-meaning, but ultimately uninspired gifts like bookmarks (which, let’s face it, are a bit boring) or clip-on reading lights (pretty impractical). 

That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to curate a gift guide designed specifically for readers and writers. This list is packed with thoughtful, creative, and useful items that will truly resonate with the bookish—whether they’re diving into a new novel, writing their next great work, or looking to cozy up their reading experience. You won’t find any Barnes & Nobles bookmarks here—just hand-picked items that we actually enjoy and recommend.

Books & Lit Mags Subscriptions

What better way to help the reader in your life curl up with a good book than via a subscription service that regularly mails them a new read? There are tons of book subscription programs on the market: CrateJoy gives used books a new life, Banned Books Box focuses on censored titles, and indie bookstore Books Are Magic’s Book Club offers the buzziest new literature.

For readers of print magazines, Journal of the Month delivers a curated selection of literary mags, offering a different publication to explore each time. It’s a great way to keep up with contemporary literature and for writers to scope out where they may want to submit. 

Candles That Smell Like Books and Libraries

Is there anything more hygge than lighting a candle and settling in for a quiet evening reading by its soft glow? For those looking to evoke the mood of a warm, musty library, Smells Like Books’s Library candle has rich notes of saffron, teakwood, mahogany, leather, and oak. Prefer the comforting scent of old book pages? Paperback by Demeter Fragrance delivers with hints of violets and potpourri. Or try Homesick’s Book Club, which blends nutmeg, vanilla, amber, and sandalwood, for a sweet escape. If you’re looking to splurge, Byredo’s Bibliothèque captures “the velvety quality of the paper embodied in a touch of peach, plum and vanilla” with notes of patchouli. For minimalists, Literie’s Late Fees at the Library keeps it simple with clean notes of paper and linen, inspired by New York Public Libraries.

Baseball Caps

Minor Cannon’s Dead Authors collection is an assortment of embroidered dad caps pays homage to legendary writers like Lucia Berlin, Italo Calvino, Doris Lessing among others: “The writers in this collection were never part of the literary mainstream—rather, they were members of that marginal counter-tradition (or its descendants) who either critiqued modernity from within or pushed outward from its fissures.”

A Bath Tray for Reading

A reading tray that can be used in the bath is the perfect gift for self-care. This Umbra bamboo tray has a book stand and two different cup holders—one for a stemmed glass and one for a mug—so readers can drink max while they relax. This bath tray is adjustable,  so you don’t need to measure your friend’s tub before buying. 

Lap Desk

There comes a time when writing needs to go from the page to the laptop. Desks, while ergonomically friendly, aren’t the coziest of spaces. (Though personally, I live for the seasonal photos of poet Gabrielle Bates posts of her incredibly cozy workspace). Lap desks can help writers work from their favorite comfy chairs, couches, and even in bed. I personally keep mine under my nightstand so there’s no excuse not to do a little writing when I first wake up. 

A Cozy Blanket

Perfect for snuggling on a cold winter’s day, this blanket from Etsy has a faux-fur backing and pale grey, fleece front that features the signatures of famous writers, Victor Hugo, Sylvia Plath, Rainer Maria Rilke, Toni Morrison and others. It’s a gift that will have the writer in your life dreaming of their own book signing. 

A Lock Box for Phones

It’s been a trying year and I’m sure plenty of us have spent hours hunched over the phone (hello, neck pain!) doom scrolling. A timed lockbox offers a practical solution for readers and writers looking to disconnect from the news and social media and refocus on the page. Mindsight’s timed lock box has three modes. The first locks your devices up for a set period of time and features a countdown, so you can see when you’ll get them back. The second locks the devices, but without the clock. Both of these modes allow the writer to set an override mode—so they can break in and get back to scrolling. With the third mode, the override code is gone. Writers can set it, forget it, and hopefully spend some quality time upping their word count. 

A Fancy Monogrammed Notebook

When I think about settling in for a writing session, materials matter—especially if I’m writing by hand. Leather notebooks, with their pebbled covers and earthy scent, feel nice to write in. This Papier notebook is customizable, so you can add the initials of the writer you’re gifting it to. And it comes with page markers, so writers know where they are in the notebook. 

A Literary Party Game

We might be a bit biased since we created it, but we truly believe Papercuts is the most fun and raucous party game for the well-read crowd. Picture a mash-up of Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity, but with a literary twist. As we like to say, Papercuts is the game Kurt Vonnegut, James Baldwin, and Virginia Woolf would play if they were locked in a room together with nothing to do but throw down cards. It’s all about witty literary zingers, and it’s guaranteed to get the laughs rolling.

Mugs

I know, I know, everyone has a shelf full of mugs. But I actually received this Greatest First Lines of Literature mug from Abracadabra as a gift (high school graduation, 2015) and it’s still a reliable favorite. The 14 ounce capacity makes it a perfect vessel for coffee and tea on days when I don’t want to leave my couch for a refill. And I do take it out and stare at it sometimes when I need inspiration for a strong opener.

Travel Mug

For an on-the-go option, we love this provocative travel tumbler from our friends at The Rumpus, which encourages writers to “Write Like a Motherfucker.” It also comes in the form of a mug. Or, if you’re looking for something cheeky, there’s the White Male Writer’s Tears Mug—a statement piece for any desk. 

A Literary Tea Blend

A mug needs something to fill it. These loose leaf blends from Uncommon Goods come with literary names like Don Quixotea and Pride and Peppermint. The line is called Novel Tea. Who doesn’t love a clever name? 

Literary Insults Poster

Insults might not seem like a thoughtful present. But they are good for a laugh. And when you’ve been sitting at your desk, fighting writer’s block and staring out at the vast, grey winter sky, sometimes you just need to glance at some wall art and chuckle. This Uncommon Goods poster features pithy lines like Shakespeare’s “the tartness of his face sours ripe grapes” or Oscar Wilde’s zinger, “he would stab his best friend for the sake of writing an epigram on his tombstone.” I know that last one sounds menacing, but I promise your writer friends won’t stab you if you gift them this. 

Tote Bags

Designed to invoke an old school library card—cue the nostalgia—this tote bag from Out of Print is the perfect accessory for traveling with a book. The reader/writer in your life is sure to appreciate it, especially since so many people will give them books that need toting. 

Book Sleeves

Speaking of traveling, readers know how much it sucks when a book cover gets bent or damaged. It’s convenient to toss a book into a tote or backpack, but it’s not always great for the book’s spine. Book sleeves, popular with readers on BookTok, are a trendy solution to that problem. Similar to a laptop sleeve, they protect books when readers need to put them in a bag. They’re a good way to protect any leather notebooks or reading diaries, too. These ones from Book Beau come in five different sizes and a number of cute prints.

Manuscript Consultation

For writers aiming to publish their book and seeking editorial guidance, Electric Literature offers personalized manuscript consults. Our team of editors provide detailed manuscript reviews, including comprehensive notes and a one-on-one video call. Open to writers at all stages of their journey.

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