8 Birthday Gifts For Writers: Supporting Small Businesses

Don't worry about finding that one novel your writer friend hasn't read yet.
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Never again will you have to panic and scroll through endless Etsy pages for the perfect gift! Writers - those elusive, introverted creatures - can be tricky to shop for when their birthdays come around because who wants to spend hours figuring out what book they haven't read yet? 

Hint: They've read everything. Twice. Probably. 

Here's another hint, though, writers are voracious readers. Below is a list that's suitable for setting the atmosphere whenever your friend wants to sit down and pen their newest novel or relax on a Friday night with a book (of their own choice!) 

Not only that, but each of these stores is a small business that you aren't likely to find in the mall. Now more than ever, it's time to support your small businesses. The care and joy they put into their products are unmatched.

You might even surprise your friend by introducing them to a store they've been secretly following on Instagram! 


Here Are 8 Unique Small And Budget Friendly Birthday Gifts for Writers:

1. Page Anchor

You can buy them here.

Price Range: $49.99 - $374.99

Page Anchors are the premium way to keep a book open without having to strain your thumb or shove your elbow in as you brew a cup of tea. You can even use them to keep your notebooks open! 

These anchors won't harm a book's spine, come with a lifetime warranty, and include free shipping worldwide. 

Plus, they're absolutely gorgeous. It's perfect for the reader in every writer. 

2. Bookish Candles from Wick and Fable

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bookish Soy Candles (@wickandfable)

You can buy them here.

Price Range: $5 - $85

Your writer friend will surely love these bookish-themed candles. With the varied range of genres and fandoms, there's a scent for everyone in their massive catalogue. 

The good news is, every scent is ideal for setting the scene when your friend is facing a tight deadline or looking to relax with a good book or two! 

3. Journals from Little Inklings

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Megan Easter (she/her) ???????? (@littleinklingsdesign)

You can buy them here.

Price Range: CAD$10 - CAD$45

These journals are not only beautiful for those Instagram posts, but they're also highly intuitive, with various pages dedicated to the different sorts of notes that your friend might take while reading. 

Pie charts, organized lists, book challenges, and many more features are found within each and every planner. 

Little Inklings is also known for their bookmarks, which could be a potential alternative to the journals they offer. 

4. Book Sleeves from Book Beau

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Book Beau ™️ (@bookbeau)

You can buy them here.

Price Range: $15.29 - $29.99

Book Beau is the original creator of the book sleeve. They've expanded their site to include various sizes for every novel, and they add new designs all the time. 

Your friend might be wary of carrying her tablet or new book in their bag - because who wants a dented cover or folded pages? - so a book beau is sure to protect their belongings. 

I guarantee that your friend will want more than just one so they'll have choices when leaving the house with a book in hand. You'll find bookish designs as well as everyday looks to compliment every aesthetic. 

5. Bookish Tea from The Simply Bookish Co.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Simply Bookish Company (@thesimplybookishco)

You can buy them here.

Price Range: $1.50 - $51

What writer - and reader - doesn't love tea? Forget the unoriginal Earl Grey or English Breakfast you can find at the grocery store and find a more personalized gift over at this shop. 

The Simply Bookish Company offers a wide range of products, but their tea can soothe any busy mind. Mix and match flavors, complement it with a mug rug, and you can even purchase a bookish mug to go with it.  

6. Magnetic Bookmarks from Happy Hello Co.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HAPPY HELLO! (@happyhelloart)

You can buy them here.

Price Range: CAD$3.08 - CAD$40.00

Hand-drawn magnetic bookmarks are the most versatile gift you could get your writer friend. Apart from their intended purpose of marking a page, they could be used as mini decorations or even tree ornaments if you hook them through a string! 

Happy Hello loves to add new book characters to their collection, and they also have pins and greeting cards to satisfy the needs of every customer. 

7. Bookish Posters from Litographs

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @litographs

You can buy them here.

Price Range: $24 - $119

For the writer who is looking for a unique piece of home decor to show off to their friends, then a poster is the perfect solution. 

Litographs is known for more than just their posters. You can get the entire text of a book printed on blankets, t-shirts, scarves, and many more. If you can subtly figure out one of your friend's favorite novels, then Litographs is likely to have it. 

If you want to make the gift even more personal, you can order custom text to be printed on a product of your choice!

8. Book Box Subscription from Owlcrate

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by OwlCrate (@owlcrate)

You can buy it here.

Price: $29.99 - $167.94

What writer doesn't want a book in the mail? But not just a book; the whole box is filled with goodies centered around the particular theme for that month. 

Some will contain socks, candles, art prints, and many more! Owlcrate is especially perfect for lovers of YA or Middle-Grade fiction, and you can decide which plan works best for your budget. 

Their boxes sometimes include products that can also be found individually in the shops listed above, so if you're looking for a choice that will surprise your friend every month, Owlcrate is the way to go. 

Any of your writer friends will definitely appreciate the gifts listed here. You can sleep tight knowing that you have a host of options that are suitable for any budget. 

Happy shopping!

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Opinions and Perspectives

Madison commented Madison 3 years ago

These gifts show you really put thought into understanding a writer's needs.

7
Kenzie_Solar commented Kenzie_Solar 3 years ago

The magnetic bookmarks work great as refrigerator decorations too.

6
ReaganX commented ReaganX 3 years ago

Been using Book Beau sleeves for my entire collection now. No more damaged corners!

8
Anna-Kate commented Anna-Kate 3 years ago

The Little Inklings designs are so elegant. Perfect for minimalist aesthetics.

2
SilentFrequency commented SilentFrequency 3 years ago

These are all wonderful but my wallet is crying just looking at some of these prices.

4
Gwendolyn_Hope commented Gwendolyn_Hope 3 years ago

The Owlcrate community is so welcoming. Love sharing unboxing experiences with other subscribers.

6
Gwen-Glover commented Gwen-Glover 3 years ago

Just discovered most of these shops ship worldwide. Great for international gifting!

0
Paige_Hope commented Paige_Hope 3 years ago

The Simply Bookish Co packaging is eco-friendly too, which I really appreciate.

1
NeonDreamscape commented NeonDreamscape 3 years ago

These are perfect for my writing group's secret santa exchange.

8
AlessiaH commented AlessiaH 3 years ago

The Litographs quality is impressive. The text is actually readable on their products.

8
Rebecca_27 commented Rebecca_27 3 years ago

Started with one Page Anchor, now I have three. They're addictive!

4
MiaSparkles commented MiaSparkles 3 years ago

The Book Beau sizing guide is super helpful for choosing the right sleeve.

1

Those candle scents really do help set the mood for writing sessions.

7
Denise-Lamb commented Denise-Lamb 3 years ago

The magnetic bookmarks are surprisingly strong. They don't slide off like I expected.

3
Luna_Morris commented Luna_Morris 3 years ago

Love that all these businesses seem to really understand what writers want.

8
Paloma99 commented Paloma99 3 years ago

The Little Inklings journal paper quality is fantastic. No bleeding even with fountain pens.

1
EverlyWarren commented EverlyWarren 3 years ago

Been using my Page Anchor for recipe books in the kitchen. Game changer!

8
BenjaminThompson commented BenjaminThompson 3 years ago

The Happy Hello bookmarks make great stocking stuffers too!

7
MikeyH commented MikeyH 3 years ago

Owlcrate's customer service is exceptional. Had an issue once and they resolved it immediately.

0
AidenFlores commented AidenFlores 3 years ago

The Litographs blankets are conversation starters at book club meetings.

4

Really impressed by the durability of the Book Beau sleeves. Mine still looks new after a year.

7
NovaDawn commented NovaDawn 3 years ago

The Simply Bookish Co tea flavors are so creative. The names alone make me smile.

1

These are all lovely but nothing beats a simple handwritten note with a bookstore gift card.

3
NaomiHughes commented NaomiHughes 3 years ago

The Wick and Fable candles last way longer than expected. Really good value for money.

8
QuantumHacker commented QuantumHacker 3 years ago

Got the Little Inklings reading journal last month. The quality exceeded my expectations.

6
SereneSoul commented SereneSoul 3 years ago

The Page Anchor looks nice but seems more like a luxury item than a necessity.

1
Abigail commented Abigail 3 years ago

Anyone else hooked on collecting Book Beau sleeves? The designs are so addictive!

1
Natalie_55 commented Natalie_55 3 years ago

The Litographs posters make great conversation starters in my home office.

4
Ariana-Hunter commented Ariana-Hunter 3 years ago

Those magnetic bookmarks are perfect for textbooks. They don't leave marks like regular bookmarks do.

0
Beck_Broadcast commented Beck_Broadcast 3 years ago

The Book Beau sleeves have saved my kindle multiple times during travels.

5

Love seeing small businesses getting recognition. The personal touch in their products really shows.

0
DystopiaRider commented DystopiaRider 3 years ago

The Simply Bookish Co tea packaging is gorgeous. Makes for a beautiful desk display even before brewing.

4
ZeroPointEnergy commented ZeroPointEnergy 3 years ago

Been subscribed to Owlcrate for 6 months now. The quality is consistently good but the themes can be hit or miss.

7
FrostBite99 commented FrostBite99 3 years ago

The Litographs custom text option is perfect for gifting to authors. Imagine their own work on a blanket!

4
ClaraJ commented ClaraJ 3 years ago

These gifts definitely beat getting another notebook that'll just sit on the shelf unused.

8
Fern_Spring commented Fern_Spring 3 years ago

Just ordered some Happy Hello bookmarks. The shipping to Canada was reasonable too!

0
Isabella_Glow commented Isabella_Glow 3 years ago

The Little Inklings journals have become essential for my book reviews. The layout is so intuitive.

7
Emma commented Emma 3 years ago

Curious about the Wick and Fable candles. Anyone know if they ship internationally?

2
Isla_Rae commented Isla_Rae 3 years ago

The Page Anchor really transformed my reading experience. No more cramped hands trying to keep books open.

4
Zoe1995 commented Zoe1995 3 years ago

Love that these items are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Perfect for those Instagram shelf photos!

4
Hannah-Kate commented Hannah-Kate 3 years ago

The book sleeves seem unnecessary until your favorite book gets destroyed in the rain. Trust me on this one.

8
InfinityHacker commented InfinityHacker 3 years ago

I've gifted those magnetic bookmarks to several friends and they're always a hit. Practical and cute!

4
Claudia_Magic commented Claudia_Magic 4 years ago

The Simply Bookish Co tea collections make perfect care package items for writer friends on deadlines.

6
AdeleM commented AdeleM 4 years ago

These are lovely but I find some of the prices quite shocking for what are essentially accessories.

4
ViralTrendsetter commented ViralTrendsetter 4 years ago

The Owlcrate subscription seems perfect for aspiring YA authors. Love that it includes writing supplies sometimes.

1
Phoebe_Soul commented Phoebe_Soul 4 years ago

Anyone tried the Page Anchor with really thick textbooks? Wondering if it works well for academic books.

4
Sylvia_Glow commented Sylvia_Glow 4 years ago

The variety in these gift ideas is impressive. Something for every type of writer and every budget.

6
Giselle-Bailey commented Giselle-Bailey 4 years ago

I'm currently using the Litographs poster of The Great Gatsby as my zoom background. Gets lots of compliments!

0
EchoChaser commented EchoChaser 4 years ago

The magnetic bookmarks from Happy Hello are adorable but they're a bit bulky for paperbacks.

1
Muir_Moments commented Muir_Moments 4 years ago

Book Beau sleeves have saved countless books in my bag from coffee spills. Worth every penny.

8

Not sure about the candles. What if the scent is too strong and distracting while writing?

7
SelfCareHaven commented SelfCareHaven 4 years ago

Those Little Inklings journals have seriously improved my reading notes organization. The pie charts are especially useful.

4

I appreciate that these suggestions focus on small businesses. It's so important to support independent creators.

1

The Page Anchor looks beautiful but I can't justify that price. My bent paperclip works just fine!

6
BellaSimmons commented BellaSimmons 4 years ago

These gifts are great but let's be real, most writers I know would be happy with a gift card to their local bookstore.

7
Sarah commented Sarah 4 years ago

The Simply Bookish Co teas are wonderful. I got their writer's blend and it's perfect for late-night writing sessions.

7
LolaPope commented LolaPope 4 years ago

My experience with Owlcrate has been amazing. Each box feels like a birthday present, and the curation is thoughtful.

4
TaylorScott commented TaylorScott 4 years ago

Anyone else fascinated by the idea of having an entire book printed on a t-shirt? The Litographs concept is brilliant.

1
Natalia commented Natalia 4 years ago

I love supporting small businesses but some of these items seem overpriced for what they are. The magnetic bookmarks are cute though.

4
PhoebeChavez commented PhoebeChavez 4 years ago

The book sleeve prices seem reasonable compared to replacing damaged books. Wish I'd known about these sooner!

3
GlitchMasterX commented GlitchMasterX 4 years ago

Just ordered a Page Anchor after reading this. Yes, it's pricey but considering how much time I spend reading, I think it's justified.

1
Lyla_Cloud commented Lyla_Cloud 4 years ago

The Litographs posters are amazing. I got Pride and Prejudice printed on a blanket last year and it's become my favorite reading companion.

6
Lydia_B commented Lydia_B 4 years ago

I never knew I needed a book sleeve until now. My paperbacks always get destroyed in my backpack.

1
Sepinwall_Scoop commented Sepinwall_Scoop 4 years ago

Can we talk about how gorgeous those book sleeves from Book Beau are? Finally something to protect my books in my bag without looking boring!

6
Goodman_Guide commented Goodman_Guide 4 years ago

The magnetic bookmarks are such a clever idea. I'm always losing my regular paper ones or having them fall out.

7

Thanks for sharing these! I've been struggling to find something unique for my friend who's publishing her first novel. The Simply Bookish Co tea sets look perfect.

7
Adalian_Article commented Adalian_Article 4 years ago

The Page Anchor isn't just functional, it's basically art for your desk. I display mine even when I'm not reading.

6
Emma-Grace commented Emma-Grace 4 years ago

I actually disagree with the article's suggestion about Owlcrate. While the boxes are nice, they're quite generic and my writer friends prefer more personalized gifts.

8
Lena_Schmidt commented Lena_Schmidt 4 years ago

The journals from Little Inklings look perfect for my writing group. We're always looking for new ways to organize our book notes and story ideas.

0

The bookish candles caught my attention. I've been following Wick and Fable on Instagram for months but never pulled the trigger on buying. Anyone tried their scents?

0
PeacefulMindset commented PeacefulMindset 4 years ago

These are some creative suggestions but honestly those prices seem a bit steep. $374 for a page anchor? I'll stick to my trusty paperweight.

3
Leah commented Leah 4 years ago

The Page Anchor is totally worth it! I got one last year and use it daily. It's especially helpful when I'm copying recipes from cookbooks or studying textbooks.

3

I love these gift ideas! The Page Anchor looks absolutely stunning. Has anyone tried it? I'm wondering if it's worth the investment for my sister who's always complaining about holding her books open while taking notes.

7

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