22 October 2026
Wooden Gifts for Book Lovers: Ideas They'll Keep
Buying for a reader is harder than it looks. They probably have more books than shelf space, and their to-read pile is already taller than it should be. So the best gifts for readers are often not books at all, but things that make reading, and living with books, a little better. Wooden gifts suit book lovers especially well: they are warm, quiet and made to last, much like a favourite hardback.
For Christmas: order by Monday 14 December for UK delivery before Christmas. UK delivery is free and usually takes an estimated 2 to 5 working days.
Why wooden gifts suit readers
Book lovers tend to value things that age well, and wood does. It sits comfortably beside paper and cloth bindings, and a well-made wooden piece looks more at home on a bookshelf than plastic. It also tends to be kept, rather than used for a season and passed on.
Wooden gift ideas for book lovers
A wooden book box
A wooden book box looks like a bound volume and opens to a hidden storage space. Placed among their books, it blends in, and it gives a reader somewhere to keep bookmarks, reading glasses, a notebook, letters or small keepsakes. If you are new to them, our guide What is a wooden book box? covers the basics.
Embergarth books are made by hand by Tom in South Wales from birch planks, coloured with a hand-rubbed wood stain, finished with clear lacquer and fitted with gold zinc-plated steel hinges. Each is supplied empty, ready for whatever they want to keep.
Bookends
A pair of solid wooden bookends is a classic for good reason. Choose a simple shape that will suit their shelves.
A book stand or reading rest
Useful for cookbooks, big art books or reading at a desk.
Wooden bookmarks
A small extra to tuck inside a larger gift.
A desk tidy for writers
For readers who also write, a wooden tray or box for pens and notebooks keeps the desk calm.
Which Embergarth book for which reader?
- The bedside reader: the Small (£149) holds glasses, bookmarks and a pencil on a bedside table.
- The writer or letter-keeper: the Medium (£249) suits a desk, with room for notebooks, stationery and correspondence.
- The collector: the Large (£399) has space for larger keepsakes and looks substantial on a dresser or shelf.
- The whole library: the Complete Set of 3 (£599) gives them one of each size, together or in different rooms.
Sizes are approximate as each piece is made by hand; check the usable inside measurements on each product page. You can compare all three in the collection.
Making the gift their own
The nicest touch is often the simplest. Before wrapping, put something inside the book: a handwritten note, a favourite quotation, a photograph, a ticket from a day out, or a bookmark. The book becomes the place they keep it. For more ideas, see our Christmas gift guide for book lovers.
Gifts for readers who have everything
If they already own the bookends and the reading lamp, look for something they would not buy for themselves: a handmade piece, made by a named maker, that will still be on the shelf years from now. Buying from a small maker also means you can ask questions before you order. Get in touch if you are unsure which size to choose.
Wooden gifts for book lovers: FAQs
What is a good gift for someone who loves books but has too many?
Something that helps them live with books rather than adding another one, such as bookends, a reading rest or a wooden book box for their reading accessories and keepsakes.
What are Embergarth books made from?
Birch planks, wood stain and clear lacquer, with gold zinc-plated steel hinges, made by hand in South Wales.
Is there anything inside?
No. Each book is supplied empty, with an unfitted interior, so you can add your own note or gift.
When should I order for Christmas?
Order by Monday 14 December for UK delivery before Christmas. Delivery takes an estimated 2 to 5 working days.