13 Budget Diy Gift Ideas For Book Lovers You Can Easily Make in a Weekend
This article is all about my favourite diy gift ideas for book lovers.
Buying genuinely cool gifts for booklovers can be very challenging. What could you even get someone who spends their time in fantastical lands? Chances are they’ve already read every book you were thinking of buying them.
It’s a challenge, and thats exactly why homemade gifts for book lovers are such a thoughtful alternative. Real book lovers appreciate time and effort of unique gifts. After all, anyone who understands the love and dedication that goes into reading (or writing) a great book is bound to value a gift made with the same level of thought.
Of course, coming up with handmade gift ideas for book lovers isn’t easy either, so a great way to streamline the process is by getting ideas from what others have already tested and approved. To save you hours of scrolling through Pinterest, I’ve rounded up my favourite homemade bookish gifts that readers genuinely love. Whether you’re looking for something cosy, practical, or completely one-of-a-kind, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below.
In this post, i’ll be sharing 13 diy gift ideas for book lovers your friends will absolutely love!
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DIY Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
1. Handmade Book and kindle Sleeve
I’ve made some really beautiful book sleeves and kindle sleeves recently for my loved ones. They are a little more on the complicated side, and take a bit of time, but they are so worth it to have a unique finished project!
If you have a sewing machine, or a lot of patience with a needle, these can be super cute personalizable gifts for book lovers.
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2. Printable Bookmark
Bookmarks are the holy grail of a readers library. I always have lots on hand because you never know when they may become handy. Recently I went to an art fair, and I collected all the prettiest business cards which I have been using as unique bookmarks.
This is a great option if you would rather not create something yourself. There is a crazy abundance of printable bookmarks on the internet, many of them free, and others incredibly cheap.
It would be a super cure idea to print these onto cardstock, and even laminate it for a super easy readers gift.
3. Watercolour bookmark
If I was on a super tight budget, or super handy with watercolour, this is an option I would opt for. This would be a super unique gifts for book lovers, and you could be sure that you are making a one of a kind diy gift.
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4. Beaded Bookmark
I’ve seen this so often on Pinterest and I’m dying to have one of my own. They are super trendy right now!
Usually they have a small metal hook that sits over the top of the pages, with colourful beads and little charms dangling outside the book. You can personalise them with initials, stars, moons, mushrooms, tiny books, crystals, or anything that matches your friend’s personality. They’re such a pretty accessory that makes opening a book feel just a little bit more magical.
5. TBR Jar
If your favourite book lover already owns far too many unread books (which… let’s be honest… is most of us), a TBR jar is such a fun gift idea.
Simply write book titles onto folded pieces of paper and pop them into a decorated jar. Whenever they can’t decide what to read next, they can pull out one title and let fate decide.
You could fill it with books they already own, recommendations you think they’ll love, or even prompts like “Read a fantasy novel” or “Choose the oldest book on your shelf.” It’s a really simple DIY gift that they’ll keep using long after their birthday.
6. Illustrated Wine Glasses For Book Clubs
If your friend loves hosting book club nights, personalised wine glasses make such a fun gift.
You can buy glass paint pens and decorate wine glasses with stacks of books, florals, famous literary quotes, stars, moons, or even illustrations inspired by their favourite novels. Every time book club rolls around, they’ll have their own special glass waiting for them.
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7. Painted Mug
I don’t think there’s a reader alive who doesn’t appreciate an aesthetic mug.
Using ceramic paint pens, you can decorate a plain mug with cute bookish illustrations, cosy quotes, pressed flower designs, or even their favourite fictional characters. Pair it with some hot chocolate sachets, speciality tea, or gourmet coffee, and you’ve basically created the perfect reading-night gift.
8. Date With a Book
I’ve seen this everywhere recently, in bookshops, on pinterest and readers can’t seem to get enough of it. And I can see why, a date with a book provides all the excitement of suprise and the dopamine of a new book!
All you need to do is buy a book you are confident the book lover in question has not read, wrap it up with some clues written on the front, and attach some stickers, a pen, and maybe some chocolate to the front. This can then be unwrapped and read when your friend is looking for a suprise read!
I’ve actually got my partner an assortment of comic books for his birthday, all wrapped up in brown paper!
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9. Readers Survival Box
When I was younger my friends and I used to make survival boxes alll the time. they usually featured sweets and chocolate, a dvd (as per the time) and an assortment of trinkets we had collected from our rooms. As an adult I really think we were on to something. and this could be such a great gift idea for book lovers.
This could be adapted with slippers, a blanket, a book, and some reading snacks for the perfect cozy evening.
Printables- Extras to include to make the readers survival box even more thoughtful-
- A Reading Tracker | Click here to download
- Bookstore Scavenger Hunt | Click here to download
- Bookish Art Prints | Click here to download
- Bookmarks | Click here to download
10. Tote bag
Did you know you can buy crazy cheap tote bags from places like amazon, and then mix acrylic paint with fabric softener to get a super affordable fabric paint? This is a great gifts for book lovers as you can then design it how you choose!
Seasonal tote bag design ideas
- Autumn leaves surrounding stacked books.
- Halloween books with pumpkins.
- Christmas reading stack.
- Spring florals and classics.
- Summer beach reads.
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11. Pencil Case
If you know your friend like to annotate their books then this is a fantastic diy gift for book lovers. This is where they can keep all their sticky tabs, highlighters and pens so it can be easily found when planning a reading session.
12. Stained Glass Jar
My friends moved house recently, and they bought stain glass pens from amazon, but you could also purchase stain glass paints and sheets. This gave me the idea of creating a cutesy reading light. I haven’t done this one yet, but when I have i’ll be sure to upload a picture!
Inside it would be super cute to put tea lights or even stringed fairy lights which will be a perfect addition to any reading nook or space.
13. DIY Reading Journal
Create your own reading journal by combining book trackers, book review pages, reading challenges and inspirational quotes.
Or, try using the ready made selection of free printable reading journals to save on time. Simply print on cardstock, bind them and decorate a super cute front design to add a customised touch.
Simplistic whimsical design | Click here to download
Check and star colour design | Click here to download
This post was all about 13 diy gift ideas for book lovers.
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