Musings on...Offerings for the Omnilegent
Basic, but never bland, gifts for your bookish friend
I’ve always been bookish, and I had a habit of writing reports on books and topics I loved. I actually assigned myself the task of writing book reports for no grade or recognition. In my free time, for fun! As an adult, I turned my teenage habit into its modern iteration- a book blog. Let’s be honest: a book blog is just a book report with SEO. After some technical issues beyond my coding ability, my website imploded. I was dragging my feet deciding if I should have it redesigned, when I thought of this Substack. Since I’m always musing about books, I’ll just house it here alongside my other miscellany and revisit the archives from time to time. Substack is also free, so my decision may have been heavily influenced, but thanks for nothing GoDaddy Tech Support.
I love reading the holiday gift guides, not to shop for others, but for interesting things I can gift myself once I’ve completed my family’s list. #isaidwhatisaid. This gift guide was published on my book blog in 2016. The suggestions have aged well and I’m particularly happy the Etsy sellers are still flourishing. I’ve confirmed the links and updated the notes as needed. If you have a bookish friend/co-worker/neighbor, this list will make next week easier. If you are playing Santa to yourself, this elf on the shelf won’t tell.
December 15, 2016 It is not difficult to shop for your favorite book lover and you still have time to get a special and well-thought-out gift for your literary-loving friends and family. We (and I’m speaking for everyone) will accept and love the most stereotypical items if they show that you have been listening to our ramblings about a beloved author or book series. Basic is fine, as long as it’s bookish. Below are a few of my favorite places for wonderfully book-centric gifts. Many of the sites still guarantee delivery on time, but even if it arrives a little late, I can guarantee your bibliophile will appreciate the extra effort. I'm going to let you in on a secret-her nose is probably buried in a book, making her oblivious to date and time.
A Cup of Tea
C.S. Lewis said: 'You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me' and most book lovers will agree. Books and tea are perfect partners, and your booklover will appreciate you restocking the tea tins. She can now spill the "Literary" tea!
The Modest Mug
What comes first-the tea or the tea cup? Doesn’t matter when you give both. Continue the bookish theme with a magnificent mug to boot. The more mugs, the merrier. The home of the best literary adaptations, Masterpiece Theater, offers a heat-transforming Jane Austen mug for your classicist friend. The fair maidens change from walking attire into evening clothes with the temperature change. I think your book snob friend will appreciate this mug embossed with all the first lines of literature. My personal favorite is the Shakespeare insult mug. My love of the bard makes me an impartial judge, but what could be more fun than drinking your cup of coffee, getting an invitation to your 20th Zoom meeting and having the following retort at hand: "Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes! (Richard III). I don't suggest verbalizing the sentiment, but it makes for a humorous mental break.
Nothing is more classic than Edward Young's 1935 design for Penguin Books. You can gift stellar style with this collection of bistro mugs. The merchandise page is not easily navigated, but your perseverance is rewarded when your exemplary design sense is the catalyst for a chic collection that deserves pride of place in the kitchen cabinets or gracing a nattily designed desk.
Monthly Correspondence
When you don't know what to choose, let the experts at justtherightbook.com do it for you. I consider this the best of the book subscription services with well-curated options for women, men, teen or children. The curation is not an algorithm, but real people that offer real suggestions. In addition, you can tailor the selection to the receiver's preferred genre (mine are non-fiction or biography if you are curious). Whether you decide on a 3-month, 6 -month or 12-month gift, there is a generous substitution policy and free shipping. If you put your bills on autopay, why not do the same for your gift-giving?
Loungewear
If she likes to wear her heart, and love of books, on her sleeve, this is the place for great tees and sweatshirts dedicated to the love of reading. I really love the kid's tees and onesies sporting the covers of "Cordoroy" and "Bunnicula”-If you’ve never read this book about the vampire bunny, you haven’t lived! Imagine the entire family wearing their fave books to the bookstore, a book fair or the library. It is the epitome of #geekchic where everyone can show off their fashion and book sense.
Scented Candles
If you don't know what book she wants (hint: she wants them all), send her to the library instead. Inspired by the smell of libraries and I'm not talking about a smelly college library during finals. Whether the smell of paper, leather-bound books or comfortable leather couches triggers her olfactory memories, the beautiful packaging will look great on a bookshelf.
A Book Bazaar
Everyone knows that Etsy is the go-to destination when you need something unusual and eclectic. Book lovers have plenty of great items to choose from on those colorful pages. Some of my favorite sellers and items:
Like mugs, one can never have too many candles and Lost Birch Candle Shop soy-based candles are "puntastic" riffs on classic books. Choosing between Grapefruits of Wrath, Tequila Mockingbird or Secret Life of Beeswax is like choosing one book at the bookstore. This is a funny and cool gift any book lover would welcome.
Few people functionally use pencils anymore, but they make for great Instagrammable office décor. From Tolkein to Austen, the pencil sets by IceyDesigns are beautifully packaged for gift giving. Great stocking stuffer!
Do not let them lie to you: every book lover is territorial about their inventory and star seller Delightful Stamps has a beautiful array of personalized bookplates, stamps and embossers to mark that territory. It is a thoughtful and classy gift. So, if the book loan becomes victim to a biblioklept, this old school airtag might help a well-loved book make its way back home. At minimum, opening the book will make the thief feel guilty. I really want to put a Scarlet Letter pun here, but I will practice discipline-this time.
The Ultimate Collectible
Car lovers have Maserati and Bugatti, fashionistas have Birkins and watch lovers have Philippe Patek. Book lovers will not be left behind in the game of extravagant connoisseurship. In 2012 famed nose Geza Schoen in collaboration with Gerhard Steidl created a unisex fragrance dedicated to what Karl Lagerfeld called "the silent smell of paper". The patron saint of all bibliotaphs, Lagerfeld’s personal library housed over 300,000 titles. (Admire Lagerfeld's insane library here!) Set within the Lagerfeld-designed book, the scent was exclusive to a very select group and is no longer available for retail purchase. If you want to blow her away and make her the envy of her book club, indulge in a little "Paper Passion Perfume”. ** Lagerfeld’s death has elevated this to a once in a lifetime purchase for any book, design, fragrance or fashion historian and collector.
Available through the following book sellers:
Amazon (Sometimes)
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