It's time for the 2012 gift guides, where I go catalog and online shopping for gift ideas that would work for all the avid readers you know. I have a lot of fun building the gift guides, especially when I find something like the Lowood Lacrosse tshirt and so many people go, 'HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS MUST BUY CLICK CLICK.' It's a relief I'm not alone in these things.
I've got a file of a few ideas already, but I wanted to put out a call for submissions. If you have a gift that works wonderfully for romance reading book loving folks in your life, I would LOVE to hear about it. Please email me at SarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTTYcom with "Gift Guide" in the subject line, and tell me about it!
You are welcome to tell me about your Etsy store, your line of handmade fountain pen inks, your knitted slipper business, or your friend's boutique. But please make sure that there is a reason what you're sending to me would work as a gift for a book loving person, and that I can link to examples online.
I may not use every submission, but I will do my best to include your gift suggestions in this year's gift guides.
Let's get started - and keep reading because there's a giveaway at the end!
Classic Literature Board Books
Speaking of Jane Eyre, Carrie S sent me an email with a link which said, "How is it possible that I don't have this???" I replied, "OH MY GOD THERE ARE MORE OF THEM WANTWANTWANT." What were we talkign about?
Classic literature board books.
Awwww, yeah. If there are new babies and little kids in your world, you can get counting primers based on Jane Eyre or Romeo and Juliet, or Pride & Prejudice. There are color primers based on Alice in Wonderland, too. These are counting and colors books, so it's not as if they're toddler-retellings of the books themselves, but if you're friends with readerly parents, these might be a very appreciated gift.
Sidenote: while we're talking board books, there is a Pantone™ Colors boardbook, too.
And I totally want a set for myself, even though my kids are no longer toddlers.
Leather Ereader Covers and Pewter Jewelry from Oberon Designs
Moving on: I've talked about my love of Oberon leather covers for ebook readers (and am sad my Oberon cover doesn't fit my new Kindle, so I've started saving up to buy a new one). This year, Oberon is trying to get more of my money, as they have leather cuff bracelets and pewter cuffs as well - in addition to the really beautiful tooled leather ereader and iPad covers.
They also have jewelry like scent amulets, necklaces of pewter charms on leather cord, and earrings. And hairclips, too.
Yeah. I'm sorry.
Multicolored Set of Disposable Fountain Pens
If you like pens, or know someone who does, here's a very simple gift that's great for a coworker or stocking stuffer or one of those nights of Hanukkah where you're not sure what to get someone because you've got 7 gifts and you just need one more - not that this has happened to me (Every Year) (ahem): the Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen set.
It's $15-$20, and features fountain pens in red, blue, balck, green, purple and pink. I have two Pilot Varsity pens on my desk (I have a little thing for fountain pens) and I love mine. It's lightweight and doesn't make my hand tired (I have one fountain pen that I bought on clearance that I could use to build my biceps, it weighs so much. Probably why it was on clearance) and it doesn't dry out easily, either. And they last a long-ass time.
So if you know any Pen People, or People Who Obsessively Buy Blank Notebooks, this might be a fun gift for them.
BookBoxes!
And here's your chance to get a gift early! I'm not usually the type to get excited about tchotskes, but I like hiding stuff (especially from myself, like when I put something in a special place so I won't forget, and then promptly forget) and I love hiding stuff in plain sight.
Misiu from BookBoxShop contacted me awhile back about doing a giveaway, and I wanted to save the idea for the holiday season. I think these would make a spiffy gift, especially if filled with candy, lip balm and tissues, or book gift cards. (Question: is a stack of bookstore gift cards the equivalent to a stack of books? I get the same rushed-heartbeat thrill at both, honestly. So much possibility).
The boxes have different themes, such as music or religious imagery, and some are really breathtaking.
Misiu has offered a box to give away, winner's choice, so if you're interested, now's your chance! I'm adding a $25 gift card to the bookstore of the winner's choice, so you get books in a book! Want to win? Leave a comment and tell us what you'd put in the box (aside from your junk, obviously) and you're entered to win.
Open to international residents. Must be 18 or over and near a bookshelf to win. Void where prohibited. Do not cut a hole in the box, no matter what Justin Timberlake tells you.
I'll be picking the winner at random on Friday, 23 November. Good luck! And happy Thanksgiving to all of you consuming turkey this week.
Categories: General Bitching, Go Ahead, Win Some Shit