Gift Guide for Bookish Families

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I think I’m having trouble letting go of the Build a Family Reading Culture series I closed out this past fall. I keep thinking of new info/tips/hacks that might be valuable to families. With that in mind, I thought I’d add a bonus track to the series in the form of a (hopefully) timely gift guide.

The blogosphere is overflowing with gift guides at the moment, and I’m hesitant to contribute anything that won’t add additional value. However, I’ve also noticed that many of the gift guides out there are geared towards very specific age groups. And, it makes sense really. We want the gifts we buy our loved ones to fit their unique interests and personalities.

But for the busy mom (or the busy anyone really) who has limited time to browse social media for gift inspo, finding the perfect gift guide for each child might not be realistic. I’m sure there’s a lovely gift guide out there for 3-5-year-old girls who love toddler origami and artisanal cheese, but let’s be real.

With your limited time in mind, I’ve put together a gift guide for the whole bookish family. There are a few age-specific items, but my hope is the items on the list can be enjoyed by many.

Record player

Not all book-loving families are also music-loving families, but there’s a substantial overlap. Plus, there’s something nostalgic and classic about a record player that pulls at the same heart string as the smell of old books. My oldest was gifted an old record player that he loves, but it’s on life support. When it inevitably dies, I’m thinking this version would be great. 

Fleece blankets 

Whether you’re older children are settling in for independent reading, or you’re getting ready to read to a group of littles, a warm blanket makes the whole experience far more pleasant. 

 Journals 

These little journals are of high quality but are inexpensive enough to gift to even little children (who love having their own special notebook for stickers, doodles, etc.) The bright colors are fun and the paper is more substantial than many similarly priced notebooks. 

Book Candles

I’ve seen these candles and other versions like it floating around the internet the last few years. It’s a novelty gift for sure, but a sweet one. 

Shakespeare Insult Bandages 

These would make a great gift for an adult or tween/teen who has been introduced to Shakespeare. I’m really thinking a middle schooler would absolutely love the concept of a beautifully worded insult in bandage form. 

 Magna Tiles

 Both this gift idea and the next are ageless (I enjoy creating with them). However, they’re ideal for younger children who want to be included in family read-aloud time but might need a distraction when their interest starts to wane. Magna Tiles also make a great group gift for multi-aged kids (think nieces and nephews). 

Art Supplies

There are hundreds of art supplies kits available. I like this version because of its sturdy case and paired down selection. This is the type of kit that can be used by kids of all ages. It’s packed with supplies, but not overly so. 

 More Ideas

So much of gift-giving depends on the personality of the individual, or family. Depending on how well you know the person(s), theater tickets might also be a great gift. If they don’t already have an Audible subscription, you could try that. Obviously, a gift card to a local bookstore or even a Barnes and Noble is always appreciated. 

If all else fails, a puzzle is a perfect low investment gift idea. They’re easy to wrap, inexpensive, accessible for most people and easy to pass on (if it’s not their cup of tea). 

Happy Gift Giving!