Buying gifts for people can always be a challenge. You want to make sure you get them something they don’t already have, something that they might not treat themselves to usually, and above all else, something that they’ll truly love. If you have a friend or family member who adores the written word, getting them a literary-themed gift is a no brainer. However, with all the books they surely already own or have read, buying them a new novel might not be the wisest decision. If you want to give the readaholic in your life a great gift, here are some alternative options.
Kindle/eReader
They might already own an eReader, but if not, this could be an ideal gift for them. While the majority of people say they prefer to have a physical book in hand, eReaders have their purpose. Ideal for those who travel a lot and can’t carry a stack of books around with them, these light-weight gadgets enable readers to download hundreds of books from online stores that they can access with ease.
Book Subscription Service
Subscription services have seen huge success and there is one for pretty much everything. There are plenty of book subscription services to choose from, and gifting a readaholic with a year-long subscription is a great way for them to test out the service and discover new books. A great example of this type of subscription is heady mix, which offers readers the opportunity to discover a range of voices from underrepresented groups.
Merchandise
There is a lot of literary merchandise available to purchase as great gifts. From mugs to posters, stationery, and even tea and coffee caddies, these items are perfect alternatives to a book. Find out what your readaholic’s favorite book is and buy some beautiful artwork or an item of clothing with a quote or illustration from it. You can even get merchandise from their favorite publishing houses, too!
Novelty Books
Some services offer to re-write classic books and insert your name into the narrative in place of the main characters. They make fun and quirky gifts and allow book-lovers to insert themselves into their favorite stories! You can do this for both kids and adults, making them perfect gifts for everyone.
Reading Hamper
If you want to make your gift truly personal, you could always create a reading hamper. Buy one or two books you know they have on their wish-lists and include other smaller items. Bookmarks, stationery, tea and biscuits, and candles would all be wonderful things to include in a reading hamper, preparing them for a cozy afternoon or evening of escaping into a good book!
Bookends
Although this might seem like a cop-out, there are loads of beautifully crafted bookends available to purchase. Not only are they a practical gift, but they will add some decorative flair to a room or bookcase that the readaholic in your life will adore!
Books are always wonderful gifts, but if you want to give them something a little bit different, the suggestions above are brilliant alternatives.
