Wearable Literary Gifts
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Sometimes buying a gift for a bookworm can be daunting. Bookworms tend to like subtlety and it can be difficult to keep up with their very particular likes and dislikes. Don’t be discouraged — approach the case like a good mystery and you’re on the hunt for clues that can lead you to the perfect literary gift. A little research on my end + a little research on your end just might = a great bookish gift for a reader you love. May this gift guide give you a good head start.
Sherlock suggested I begin with a list of wearable literary gifts. (I think it’s because he’s become something of a fashion icon these days, as you will soon see…)
perfume
Let’s start with the possibly crazy idea first. Literary perfume? Indeed. A few years ago, Sarah introduced me to the In the Library scent made by CB I Hate Perfume. I fell in love. It smells exactly like a delightful room filled with old well-loved books — a little musty, but the good kind, not the moldy kind. It is the magic of a beautiful hardback book in scent-form. Christopher Brosius (the creator) describes the scent as “a warm blend of English Novel, Russian & Moroccan Leather Bindings, Worn Cloth and a hint of Wood Polish”. Each of his perfumes is inspired by a story and reading those stories is almost as fun as smelling how perfectly he captured exactly what he describes. This scent can work for men and women both. If you’re not quite sure how you feel about plunking down money for a perfume someone may or may not like — you can always get the trial size as a stocking stuffer.
jewelry
If you don’t know about Etsy, set aside an hour (or two) and start perusing. It is a treasure trove of unique gifts like these:
- Penguin Books Cufflinks
- Sherlock Holmes Cufflinks (made by JezebelCharms — sponsor of our Literary Brass Cuff Giveaway!)
- Narnia lamppost necklace
- Les Misérables book locket
clothing
Sometimes it really is as simple as the right t-shirt. Even someone who doesn’t normally wear printed tees in public might secretly love wearing one to bed. Out of Print has a whole line of shirts and sweatshirts printed with the vintage covers of famous books available for men, women and children.
- Hound of the Baskervilles tee (Sherlock sleeps like a baby in this.)
- Pride & Prejudice tee or sweatshirt (I can vouch for the t-shirt…and kind of still want the sweatshirt, too.)
- Penguin ‘Future Reader’ onesie — comes in black, yellow, pink and blue (Too cute, right? But aren’t you already wracking your brain trying to think of someone you can buy this for? Caught ya.)
So many of my favorite things on this list right now!! Great, great gift ideas.
you introduced me to at least one! plus, we both have matching p&p shirts. :)
Oh my goodness – I love these!!! Totally bookmarking that little onesie too to give as a baby shower gift in the future. :)
Such a great roundup!
stumbled across that onesie and was trying to figure out if i could get clivejane to wear one… ;)
Lamppost necklace! Les Mis locket! Guh, love!
Omg. The future reader onesie! I’m getting my kiddo one for Christmas right now. Love it. And my Librarian sister needs at least 3 of the things from Etsy. You made my day Bet Mercer!!
Yay!! I’ll be sharing more gift ideas each week. Glad to know there will be a cute kid out there with a sweet penguin onesie. :)