You know ’em, you love ’em, and you probably have several waiting for you in your inbox. ‘Tis the season to peruse all the gift guides. I love a curated list of the “best this” or the “must have” that. To be honest, I’m starting to feel the pressure to get my shopping done AND gift the ideal treasure to each person on my list. Keep reading to see my personal recommendations tailored toward giving the best gifts for the readers and the grievers. Yes, you read that correctly. I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember, but only recently became a griever.
Spoiler alert: our society is not the best at coming alongside the grieving and helping people cope. I’m not here to shame anyone, but I am here to try and make the world a better place. So, I’ve included several items that have helped me in my ongoing journey to take care of myself and process these complex emotions. Prepare yourself. It’s about to get all kinds of cozy…
Best Holiday Gifts for the Readers
- Bookshelves and bookshelf-adjacent gifts: bookshelves and accessories that make bookshelves look aesthetically pleasing are having a moment. (We can credit TikTok and the BookTok community for this). Floating book shelves, succulents, functional storage, pretty book ends and candles with bookish scents all make great gifts.
- Covers and sleeves: protective coverings for print books and e-Readers are super popular this year. I’m a huge fan of the book sleeve. There are a variety of creators, different sizes depending on reader preferences, and it’s such a cozy, bookish accessory to give AND receive. Also, if you’re making an effort to shop small, this is a wonderful option. I like Grace by Shan, but there are countless options on Etsy. Here’s a picture of mine:
3. Ember mug: my husband gave me the original version last year and I use it all the time. Such a brilliant innovation! It’s a temperature-controlled smart mug. No more reheating your coffee or tea a gazillion times in the microwave because it got cold before you had time to drink it.
4. Unique bookish artwork: In addition to enjoying wonderful books, we bookworms appreciate art that proclaims our love for the reading life. First edition book art, tote bags, pins to pin on our tote bags, vintage library card accessories, tea tins, socks, throw pillows with references about being unable to quit reading …. I could go on and on. Uncommon Goods and Etsy are great places to shop for these gifts.
5. Reading Journals and book box subscriptions: I’ve enjoyed tracking my reading experience in a journal this year. I like to see what I’ve read, why I loved the book, who provided the recommendation, my takeaway message from the reading experience. It’s a method that’s not for every bookworm, so you might want to conduct some discreet research to see if your favorite reader will appreciate this particular gift. Here are two that I recommend. To Read or Not to Read: A Literary Journal for the Book Lover’s Soul is the one I’ve used and enjoyed. I’m also a huge fan of Anne Bogel, so I purchased her new reading journal called My Reading Life: A Book Journal. If you’d like to shop small, Anne and her publisher have made a concerted effort to get this journal into independent bookstores. Perhaps your local indie store has a copy in stock. They might even gift wrap it for you.
There are several reputable companies providing book box subscriptions. I’ve received and thoroughly enjoyed my boxes from Page 1 Books. They have several bundles and also a subscription box gift card bundle, which is a fabulous option, and one I’ll be adding to my personal wish list. Cratejoy, Book of the Month, and The Bookshelf Thomasville are all wonderful vendors with book box options that will appeal to a variety of readers.
And Now for the Grievers
In my opinion, based on limited personal experience, the best holiday gifts for the grievers in your life are the gifts that encourage self-care. Grieving can be a lonely process and the holidays often exacerbate some of the heavier more challenging emotions that are a natural part of the healing journey. Here are a few items that helped me and perhaps will help you or someone that you love.
- Cozy clothing: I have a personal guideline that I have to get out of my pajamas and into non-sleep wear every day. Since I work from home, if I stay in my pajamas all day, I don’t feel productive and it becomes too tempting to avoid my responsibilities. Having said that, pajama adjacent clothing is for sure the coziest and also my personal favorite. Barefoot Dreams brand is my go-to. Highly recommend. All the stars. You can’t go wrong, and they have product lines for people and pets.
- Spa Care: Uncommon Goods, Thistle Farms and Amazon all have unique self-care and at-home spa options. For those who enjoy taking a luxurious bath with all the must-haves nearby, how fun is this tray? I don’t like baths, but maybe I would if I had this in my life.
- Journal: not everyone who is grieving wants to make the effort to write about it. For me, getting some of what was inside my head out onto the page was cathartic. This Wellness Journal is so pretty and includes space to write down emotions, as well as track goals, wish lists, goals, habits, gratitude. Makes a great gift for the one who wants to live from a place of mindfulness.
- Essential oils diffuser: to be honest, essential oils tend to provoke allergic reactions for me, but that is not the case for many. Several of my friends have benefitted greatly from diffusing certain oils. If you feel comfortable gifting this, a diffuser and starter set of oils is a thoughtful way to help a grieving human feel seen.
- Cathartic novels: I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed reading and listening to novels featuring protagonists who are grieving. After losing my father to Parkinson’s, I thought I would want to avoid these types of books. So glad I didn’t skip these, because some of the best books I’ve read in 2021 have featured characters wrestling with grief. Here are my four favorites: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, The Ex Talk, The Guncle and Float Plan.
Thank you for taking the time to read my holiday gift guide for readers and grievers. I hope you find just the right gift for each person on your list.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links because I am an Amazon associate. If you click on these particular links and choose to purchase the item from Amazon, I may receive a small commission.
