Style & Shopping

15 Perfect Gifts for Readers (That Aren’t Books!) for Every Budget

published Oct 1, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
POV of young woman relaxing at home reading a book lying on sofa. Lifesyle concept.
Credit: Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images

If you have friends who are avid readers, you know they’re some of the most fun people to be around. Not only are they able to converse about a variety of topics, but they’re also generally prone to finding beauty in everyday life. Their whimsical tastes also make them especially fun to shop for. Sure, a book is the obvious gift of choice for a reader. But there are so many other unique options that’ll delight your loved one just as much, if not more, as the next volume in their favorite series.

From a monogrammed Kindle sleeve to a pair of vintage-inspired bookends, we found 15 of the best picks. These are perfect regardless of whether you’re starting your holiday shopping early or you’re looking for a “just because” gift. And if you love to read as well, you might even pick up a couple of them for yourself! Without further ado, let’s get into our favorite finds for readers.

1 / 15
Michaels
$39.99

If your giftee loves crafts in addition to reading, they’ll get a kick out of this DIY book nook. It comes with all of the pieces they need to assemble a cozy miniature bookshop. When they’re done, they can slide it onto their bookshelf as a piece of decor. It’s so fun to look at every little detail!

2 / 15
Homesick
$29.95

There’s nothing like curling up with a good book and a scented candle burning on the bedside table during a cozy winter evening. Homesick’s Book Club candle is the ideal fragrance for the occasion, featuring notes of orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. It’s almost better than having a sheet of cookies baking in the oven.

3 / 15
Uncommon Goods
$30.00

Advent calendars are so much fun, whether you're a ready or not. There’s something about getting to open a fun little treat every day that has the power to seriously improve your week. This festive book lover’s calendar from Uncommon Goods includes fun but practical items your loved one will appreciate, including pencils, bookmarks, notepads, and more.

4 / 15
Amazon
$12.99

These horizontal reading glasses might look goofy, but they’re no gimmick. With these, your BFF can read while lying down — no neck pain involved! At $13 a pair, the spectacles are totally affordable, and they’re sure to become a mainstay on your giftee’s nightstand. They can also wear the glasses while watching TV.

5 / 15
Papier
$38.00

Many readers like to keep a log of the books they’ve finished, whether they have a Goodreads account or merely keep track of the titles in their Notes app. But this journal is a nice way to do that tangibly. It has a dedicated index where they can record what they’ve read, a wish list section for titles they want to read, and reflective journaling prompts.

6 / 15
Amazon
$19.97

A cozy reading session calls for a good blanket, and this fleece throw hits the sweet spot of lightweight and snuggly. The cuddly-soft fleece will be a go-to on chilly nights, and it comes in enough colors to suit every room. Best of all, it’s only $25!

7 / 15
Rifle Paper Co.
$22.00

For the most dazzling floral-print stationery and home decor, we turn to Rifle Paper Co. As you browse the brand’s notebooks and planners, don’t forget to check out this porcelain mug, which is adorned with classic literary titles. We have no doubt that your giftee will reach for it every morning.

8 / 15
Amazon
$8.69

A full bookshelf is its own decorative statement, but you can help your BFF upgrade their display case with a knickknack or two. We recommend this charming book-shaped vase, which went viral on social media not long ago. If you really want to delight your giftee, fill the vase with water, pop in a couple of their favorite flowers, and hand it over like that during your next visit.

9 / 15
Magnolia
$36.00

Bookends come in so many decorative shapes and sizes, so there’s no excuse for owning boring ones. We were instantly drawn to this pair from Magnolia. The bookends are shaped like blooming tulips and boast a vintage-inspired gold brass finish. They’re surefire compliment-getters.

10 / 15
Uncommon Goods
$50.00

Uncommon Goods is a treasure trove of thoughtful, personalized gifts. With this book nook, for example, you’re sure to make any reader’s day. The bedside accessory features a dedicated spot for their book (open to the page they’re on!), reading glasses, beverage, and phone for an organized display they’ll love returning to night after night.

11 / 15
Barnes & Noble
$50.00

Books can be highly personal, and you might not know what your giftee has up next on their reading list. Let them pick it out for themselves by gifting them a Barnes & Noble gift card. When the novel they’ve been waiting for finally becomes available for preorder, they can immediately snag it online, courtesy of you.

12 / 15
Walmart
$19.99
was $30.64

Instead of turning on a bright overhead light, this rechargeable, bendable neck light is more than sufficient. It features three colors (yellow, warm white, and cool white) and six brightness levels. It’s an especially great gift for someone who enjoys reading in bed and doesn't want to disrupt their partner's sleep with a bright light.

13 / 15
Anthropologie
$42.00

For the coffee table book collector, consider a design-forward marble book stand that lets them keep their favorite spread(s) on display. The compact, transparent cross frame hardly takes up much space, so photography or art books can shine on any tabletop and double as decor.

14 / 15
Amazon
$7.99

We’ve all used random items as bookmarks in a pinch — receipts, Post-its, flash cards. The next time your BFF needs a bookmark, they can reach for these miniature mushrooms instead. The Magic Sprouts come in a pack of four and make it look like mushrooms are sprouting out of the book while serving as placeholders. How cute!

15 / 15
Mark & Graham
$139.00

Mark & Graham has some of the best gifts when it comes to tech and travel organizers that you can personalize with your giftee’s monogram. This tech pouch is a prime example; it boasts multiple compartments for their phone, tablet or Kindle, AirPods, charging cables, and more, all encased in a sleek leather shell.

Nikol Slatinska

Contributor

I've loved magazines for as long as I can remember, which is what motivated me to study journalism in college. My proudest accomplishment since graduating has been landing a job in New York and moving to the city of my dreams. In my role at Apartment Therapy, I'm most passionate about making my home look organized and sophisticated and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces and sale posts, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience make informed shopping decisions. In my free time, I enjoy reading about fashion and design, watching reality TV, and exploring New York.

Get to know Nikol Slatinska
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