It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for book lovers! December is usually a month of restraint, where we resist the urge to buy new books in the hopes of an awesome haul from friends and family come Christmas Day. Of course, for non-readers, this can present a bit of a quandary: what should you buy for a bookworm? Don’t books seem too obvious? Never fear, I have you sorted! Here’s a short-list of the best Christmas gifts for book lovers, with something at every price point!

Under $10: Bookmarks
It might seem too simple, but trust me: a great bookmark never goes astray! Every book lover needs a stash of bookmarks, lest they find themselves forced to ruin their precious special editions with dog ears.
These Christmas gifts for book lovers show that you’ve noticed your loved one’s reading habit, that you care for them and want what’s best for them (and their books!), which makes them a very thoughtful present… not to mention insanely affordable! You don’t have to spend much to make a big impression this Christmas. Peter Pauper Press over on Amazon has a huge selection available, all under $10!
Under $20: Literary Mugs
The best accompaniment to a good book, especially when it’s chilly outside, is a hot beverage. And you know what you need for a hot beverage? A fantastic literary mug!
My personal favourite Christmas gifts for book lovers in this category are the mugs that are heat reactive, revealing new images or words when they’re filled with tea or coffee. I also love mugs with funny bookish quotes, and adorable illustrations. Check these out…
Under $30: Literary Shirts and Tote Bags
Bookworms will never miss an opportunity to share their love for literature through fashion. These gorgeous t-shirts are 100% cotton and emblazoned with detailed illustrations of classic book characters and covers (both masculine and feminine cuts available). A lot of the designs are also available on tote bags, which are the perfect size for carting around stacks of books!
Plus, the brains behind the operation – Melissa – is absolutely ace. She’s offering Keeping Up With The Penguins readers a full 20% off anything from her online store over the holidays! Enter the code KEEPINGUPWITHTHEPENGUINS20 and stock up!

Under $50: Book Ends
One of the most precious gifts I ever received was a set of rustic poodle-shaped book ends. A dear friend gave them to me for my 21st birthday, and I have carried them with me all across the country (indeed, eagle-eyed Keeping Up With The Penguins readers will have spotted them once or twice in my Instagram feed).
Book ends come in every price range, from under $10 to over $100, but in my opinion the best value is to be found in the middle. You’ll want something on the heavy side, to ensure durability and the capacity to hold up heavier rows of hardcovers and thick tomes. Here are some of my current favourites…
Under $50: Bookish Scarves
Bookish scarves are subtle but gorgeous – exactly what the book lover needs to stay warm in winter! Plus, scarves are the most versatile fashion item ever, so even if they’re not so into wearing them, you can be pretty sure your book lover will find a use for it somewhere along the line.
My favourite bookish scarves are the Austen-themed ones, but there are stacks of others out there: Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, generic book cover patterns, library punch cards, other classics…
Over $100: eReaders
If you’re a very generous friend or family member, this is the option for you. Maybe your book lover is stuck in the dark ages (like me!), still carrying paperbacks everywhere she goes. Or maybe you know a bookworm who has been all across eBooks since the beginning, but desperately needs a technology upgrade! Either way, an eReader is the way to go this Christmas.
You can get a tried-and-true Kindle, or you can branch out and try one of the many alternatives. You could even get a generic tablet, which works with most eBook formats and has a lot more functionality over and above that! Whichever way you go, your book-loving loved one will love you forever 😉
(Don’t worry, if you don’t have the cash to splash, there are other options! Amazon also sells refurbished models at a fraction of the cost, or you could pick them up a cover for their current reader, or even an Amazon voucher that goes that much further with eBooks!)
What’s your favourite Christmas gift for book lovers this year? Tell us in the comments below (or share with us over at KUWTP on Facebook!).
December 8, 2018 at 11:53 PM
Yes to all of these! I would never say no 😂
I love that you’ve featured a whole range of prices so that there’s something for everyone. Totally agree with you about bookmarks – it may be simple but all book lovers need a whole drawer full! There’s no such thing as too many bookmarks.
Great post!
December 9, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Yes! I know all too well what it’s like to be skint this time of year – and I’d probably get more use out of a great bookmark than any other more expensive item. 😉 Thank you! ❤️
December 10, 2018 at 6:26 PM
Thanks for posting this. Bookish swag is so cool. I have come to love readers so I think that they are the perfect gift. However, I know that they are not for everyone as some bookish folks just do not want to go the e book route.
December 11, 2018 at 9:10 AM
I’m sure even die-hard paperback readers (like me) would at least TRY an eReader if Santa brought them one for Christmas 😉 cheers, Brian!
December 11, 2018 at 12:32 PM
I love that this list is organized by price, and that there are $10 and $20 options on here. I feel like a lot of lists have items that cost at least $40-$50, and these cheaper options are great for office secret santas among bookish friends!
December 11, 2018 at 1:20 PM
Thank you! Very deliberate on my part – I know what it means to be skint this time of year and the pressure that comes with that, and I see *so many* gift guides that start, as you say, around $40-$50, which is just so out of reach for so many people. Plus, show me a booklover who WOULDN’T love and appreciate a beautiful bookmark?! ❤️
December 12, 2018 at 11:58 AM
I love all these suggestions (for myself!). Mostly though I just ask for books for Christmas. I use birthdays and Christmas as an opportunity to stock up on books I’ve had my eye on for ages. But these are great suggestions for gifting to book lovers when you’re not sure what books they already have.
December 12, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Cheers Jane! That’s exactly what I was going for! ❤️👍🏼
December 12, 2018 at 9:08 PM
best one I had recently was a plastic credit card thing which turned out to be a £20 book token. I was able to buy something on welding which I bet no one would have thought to buy for me otherwise.
December 13, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Nice!! 😉👍🏼