If you have visited me in the past, you know that I love to gift books and that I believe they make (among) the best gifts too. And if you already have non-book gifts in mind for loved ones, I feel you can make it better with words! Books have a way of turning any gift into something truly memorable. So let’s look at five creative ways to better every gift with the perfect book companion!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links as well as paid links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. For Amazon links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. That said, please note that I will only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself.

How to Make Every Gift Better With a Book!

1. Add a Themed Book to Match the Gift

Pair the gift with a book that complements its purpose or theme.

• For example:
  • A coffee table book on design to go with a decorative vase.
  • Or maybe you are gifting a tea set? Add a book of tea recipes or tea-inspired poetry.
  • Pair workout gear with a fitness guide or motivational book.
  • Add The Alchemist or Atomic Habits to a planner or desk set.
  • Or enhance a travel-related gift (like luggage or a trip) with a travel guide or themed journal
• Why it works: It creates a cohesive and thoughtful experience around the gift, adding a layer of value, inspiration, variety, and motivation. And it shows you thought about how they’ll use the gift.

2. Include a Book That Shares the Gift’s Story

Some gifts have a story all their own. If you find books that help you tell that story, add them to the gift, or maybe make a mini-book (or maybe a photo-book) to give it along with the gift.

• For example,
  • If you picked handmade local jewelry during a trip, add a book about the craft or the cultural history of that place.
• Why it works: It connects the recipient to the gift’s origins, making it more meaningful.

3. Bundle Fiction for Pure Entertainment

For a cozy or relaxing gift, add more indulgence with heartwarming light fiction that lets one relax further.

• For example
  • Add a bestselling mystery to a blanket-and-candle gift set.
  • Include a sweet romance to a spa certificate
  • A heartwarming read with gifts of tea and chocolate. (and if tissues are needed, then those too!)
• Why it works: It makes the gift experience feel indulgent and complete.

4. Wrap the Book as a Surprise Bonus

Just add a book – any book – as a surprise bonus to your gift, by tucking it into the main gift bag/package.

• For example,
  • You can pick one of those mystery books from bookstores (the ones where they come pre-wrapped in brown paper so you don’t know the book title) and add it to your gift. Here, you have no idea too!
  • Get one of those small delightful mini-books to enhance your gift.
  • Or any one of these unique books
• Why it works: It’s an unexpected delight that enriches the entire gift.

5. Make it Bookish!

The last one, of course, is that you simply gift bookish gifts!

5 Ways to do this

1. Curate a personalized book set. Tailor it to the recipient’s interests and passions — cookbooks for foodies, thrillers for mystery lovers, or self-help for growth enthusiasts.
2. Gift a basket of bookish accessories, like a cute bookmark, a reading lamp, or a mug for cozy reading sessions. Of course, you can also add a book to it, or a gift card to a bookstore with your recommendations, adding a personal touch.
3. Bundle a series, so they have a complete set to binge through.
4. Create a cozy reading nook kit: Label it “Your Next Best Weekend” to make it warm and inviting. (Again, feel free to add a book to it)
5. Look for signed copies or special editions of their favorite authors. Vintage or collector’s editions make for timeless, unique gifts. I love exploring and finding old copies of favorite books!

Why it works: It’s books!

Wrapping it Up

Whatever you choose to do, wrap your gift up creatively (depending on what it is) and personalize it further with a handwritten note about why you chose it or what makes it special. Add a reading journal to close the deal!

The Bookish Five: Things are Better with a Book After All!

(1 & 2) Book Beginnings and First Line Friday

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

3 Friday 56

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice (currently by Anne at HeadFullofBooks) To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up and visit others in the linky. 

4 Book Blogger Hop

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

Dec 6th-12th – Can you recommend a book that catches the spirit of year-end thoughts or generates a sense of nostalgia in you?

Little Women is one such book that does both – catches the spirit of year-end thoughts for me and generates a sense of nostalgia. And on the other side, as I am figuring out ways to keep myself busy so I don’t keep calling my kids (both in college this year), I want to read books like From Mom to Me Again by Melissa Shultz. I have started reading it, and at the same time, keep thinking, am I not Mom-Me now? Both the mom and the me parts melding and molding and melting together over the years until I cannot separate them?

5 Inscriptions to Write in Your Book(ish) Gift

• In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold. ―Ben Aaronovitch
• You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. —C.S. Lewis
• A book is a dream you hold in your hands. —Neil Gaiman
• I have always imagined paradise will be a kind of library. —Jorge Luis Borges
• A book is a gift you can open again and again. – Garrison Keillor

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you read any of the listed/featured books? Which book would you pick first to read? Do you have any recommendations for me? Do let me know. Which of the gift ideas do you think you will use/or already use? Any other such suggestions?