Christmas gift ideas for book lovers: beyond the bookshelf

From a reading light for late-night chapters to a literary puzzle for a quiet afternoon, a thoughtful Christmas present can celebrate the pleasures of being a reader. Here are a few ideas to bring a little bookish character to everyday life.

For the reader with a sharp sense of humour

The Shakespearean Insults Mug brings some of the Bard’s most cutting lines to the tea break. It comes gift boxed and is both dishwasher and microwave safe, making it a practical present with rather more bite than the average mug.

For someone who would enjoy spending an afternoon piecing those barbs together, the Shakespearean Insults 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle offers a different take on the same theme. Give either on its own, or pair them for a Shakespeare enthusiast.

For the reader who always wants one more chapter

The Book Lover’s Reading Light – Alice is a practical little present for someone who likes to keep reading after dark. Small and lightweight, it clips onto a book and has adjustable brightness and a flexible neck to direct the light onto the page. The AAA battery is included, so it’s ready for their next chapter.

For the detective-fiction devotee

Covered with quotations, rules of deduction and intriguing details, the Sherlock Holmes Quotes Mug is a fitting companion to a mystery and a pot of tea. It comes gift boxed, and it’s dishwasher and microwave safe too.

For someone who still loves a handwritten note

The Reading Woman: Leisure Boxed Notecards brings together four artworks depicting women reading. The box contains 20 notecards, five of each design, with envelopes included. A lovely choice for a reader who also enjoys keeping in touch on paper, and something they can use long after Christmas.

For a bookmark worth keeping

Handcrafted in the UK from lead-free English pewter, the Owl Pewter Bookmark is a thoughtful choice for someone who appreciates a well-made reading accessory. Its flattened stem slips between the pages, while the detailed owl motif sits over the book’s spine. Supplied in a gift box, it makes a lovely present on its own or alongside a book you’ve chosen for them.

For a small stocking filler

For readers who like to return to a favourite passage, Book Darts are a useful little discovery. These paper-thin metal clips slip onto the page to mark an exact line without leaving a mark. They can be moved and reused, making them a thoughtful choice for anyone who likes to keep track of memorable words. This tin contains 100 darts in a mix of brass, bronze and stainless steel.

A little literary inspiration