10 best gifts for book lovers in the UK (from local stores)

I know how it goes: Christmas is coming, you’re looking for the best gifts ideas, but the only options you can find are shipped from abroad (which, with Brexit, isn’t exactly a great option).

To save you a few headaches, here’s my collection of the best gifts for book lovers in the UK this year. As they’re all shipped from the UK, they’re also excellent last-minute gift ideas.

Featuring some of my favourite bookish gift stores in the UK, I’m confident the bookworms in your life will love these ideas too.

These are all gifts for book lovers that aren’t books, but you can find my favourite books to give as gifts in these collections:

• 6 beautiful small hardcover books to give as gifts
• 10 best new fiction books of 2023 – my favourite reads this year
• The most beautiful classic book collections (Penguin Clothbound & more)
• 15 of the best book gifts of 2023 to share & treasure

The best UK gifts for book lovers in 2023

“Obstinate headstrong girl” tote bag

Know any Jane Austen fans? I love this Pride and Prejudice-inspired tote bag from Bookishly – I’m sure the obstinate headstrong readers in your life will adore it too.

Fine china Rivendell mug with Elvish text

If you’re a fan of Tolkien or know someone who is, Oscha’s Scotland-based shop is perfect. I have the Rivendell mug and love drinking my morning sencha tea in it (it’s also ideal for a Christmas-sized hot chocolate with marshmallows). The Elvish text is a quote from Bilbo: “Time doesn’t seem to pass here: it just is.” Tolstoy Therapy readers also love The Shire mug from the store.

Bookish tea from Bookishly

What better gift to pair with a book (or a lovely literary mug) than some bookish tea? Bookishly offer this wonderful selection of literary-themed teas with Sherlock and Emily Brontë-inspired choices among their tea blends.

Jane Austen Christmas card by TheMarchesStudio

One of my favourite literary gifts for 2023 is this wonderfully charming Jane Austen-themed Christmas card from UK Etsy shop TheMarchesStudio. Hand-painted in beautiful watercolour and printed on high-quality Italian cardstock, your favourite reader is sure to adore this.

A candle inspired by a favourite book

How could I not mention a literary candle? Bookishly creates some of the most gorgeous candles inspired by books, and I especially love this Harry Potter-inspired candle as a gift for bookworms.

Little Women keyring

Another beautifully bookish Etsy gift is this keyring for fans of Louisa May Alcott’s classic, Little Women. I love this optimistic and life-affirming choice inspired by the cozy classic.

Greek vase brass bookmark for mythology fans

One of the best bookish gifts for fans of Greek mythology and Madeline Miller is this stunning brass bookmark from Literary Emporium on Etsy. It’s so wonderfully unique and would be a perfect stocking stuffer for book lovers. I’ve loved using it for my books this year.

“Just one more page” personalized reading journal

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect reading journal for a while now. One of the best I’ve found is this beautiful journal by Martha Brook, which you can choose to personalize with initials on the hardcover. It’s both really well-made and has exactly the right reading journal template for me; not too complex, but with enough space to organize my thoughts.

The Unwinding Cards by Jackie Morris

One lovely bookish gift for 2023 is this gorgeous new collection of postcards featuring the most beautiful artwork from Jackie Morris’s wonderful book, The Unwinding.

When you need to relax, simply pick a postcard, ponder the illustration, and let the stunning art soothe your soul. You can find the postcards on Amazon or Bookshop.org.

Bookish wrapping paper and washi tape

To wrap up your gifts for bookworms, why not continue the theme with a bookish wrapping paper? UK-based Etsy shop PresentingPerfection has some gorgeous choices. I also love this gorgeous book-themed washi tape from Literary Emporium…

For more of the best gift ideas for book lovers in 2023, why not pair these recommendations with one of my favourite beautiful clothbound classics or one of the best new books of 2023?