… Nine literary Christmas present ideas
For those of you who have had your Christmas presents in the back of the wardrobe since March, this post may seem a little late in the day. For everyone else though, I expect round about now you’re frantically running around the City Centre in search of gift inspiration, or desperately checking when next day delivery is no longer really the next day. Well, fear not! This is the post for you. Bookworms, writers, artists and lovers of all things literature are bound to adore any of these gifts we’ve collated for you. From the stocking fillers to the big gifts, we’re sharing some of our favourite literary themed goodies, perfect for a family member, friend or that Secret Santa you keep forgetting about.
1. Shakespeare’s Pencils, £3, Literary Emporium, available here. 2. ‘The Ode Less Travelled’ Poetry Guide, £8.99, Waterstones, available here. 3. V&A Bookmark, £2.99, The Literary Gift Company, available here. 4. Agatha Christie Tea towel, £7.95, The Literary Gift Company, available here.
These gifts are all under £10 so are ideal if you’re sticking for a budget. Great for any aspiring writers, Stephen Fry’s book contains “enjoyable exercises, witty insights and simple step-by-step advice” for anyone who fancies putting pen (or these snazzy quote pencils!) to paper but isn’t quite sure where to start. V&A designs are always beautiful and both The Literary Gift Company and the V&A shop have a huge range of gifts bound to please anyone arty. If it’s practical you’re looking for, this tea towel acts as a bit of fun, inspiration and hopefully motivation to get the household chores done too!
1. First Lines Mug, £10.95, The Literary Gift Company, available here. 2. Vintage Penguin Instant Mini Library, £18, Not On The High Street, available here. 3. Literary Quotations Perpetual Calendar, £15, Not On The High Street, available here. 4. 100 Postcards from Penguin, £14.99, The Literary Gift Company, available here.
Between £10 and £20, these gifts shouldn’t completely break the bank but still offer something special and a bit unique. Whether it’s for someone who adores getting cosy with a good book and a hot chocolate or the writer in your life who runs on a steady diet of caffeine based drinks, this beautiful mug also comes in a range of other styles, featuring quotes from many authors and poets. If you’re shopping for a friend from afar, Penguin Vintage Mini Library is sent out gift wrapped by Bookishly, so this is an ideal gift if you’re away from loved ones. It also comes in a kids edition so you can start them on the classic book trail early! This calendar is more like a work of art than a practicality with its stunning illustrations and isn’t year exclusive so makes a great long lasting gift. Pop birthdays and special occasions on it and then use these Penguin postcards to send a wee message with a quirky, personal touch.
Lucy (our SWC Twitter Queen!) introduced me to Persephone Books a little while ago. They are a publisher and bookseller that “reprint neglected fiction and non-fiction by mid-twentieth century (mostly) women writers.” While this subscription service is expensive, it works out at £10 a month for a beautiful printed and likely unheard of book. However, have a nosy round their website for gift vouchers and their bookshop if you love the idea but don’t want to splash out on such a big gift!
Hopefully something on this guide jumps out at you and gives you some much needed inspiration at gift giving time. If you’ve planned not to do gifts or don’t want to spend much money at all, why not get your creative head on and write something for your loved ones? Some of my best family memories come from sitting around, writing poems and then laughing hysterically for the rest of the evening at how awful or brilliant they can be. Have a fabulous Christmas!
Words by Kath Warren.
Images from The Literary Gift Company, Literary Emporium, Not On The High Street, Waterstones and Persephone Books.
