11 Handmade Gifts for Book Lovers

Heirloom Book Box

What could be more of a surprise than a book that opens to reveal treasures and trinkets inside? These wooden boxes, which can be found at your local arts and crafts store, can be custom-painted with acrylic craft paint to mimic a friend's favorite vintage hardcover. Then, fill it with small gifts that fit into the pull-out drawer.

Tech Case

So much of our reading is done digitally these days—Kindle, Apple Books, and Audible included. If your gift recipient is someone who falls into that category, consider this handsome tech case. It's constructed with denim and a felt-lined interior, customizable to any size, for their chosen device's protection.

Tote Bag for Books

Always handy for trips to the library, a plain canvas bag can be transformed with one easy technique: iron-on designs. Use our "Books" clip art and print it on iron-on transfer paper (available at office supply and crafts stores)—then apply it to a tote to create a stylish carryall.

Marbleized Pencils

Readers are, coincidentally, some of the biggest note-takers. Gift them a custom set of marbleized pencils.

Use two shades of craft paint and squeeze it in two parallel, pencil-length strips on a piece of foil. Cover pencil erasers with tape to protect them. Place pencils parallel to paint strips, then roll through the paint. Place pencils on top of plastic cups to dry. (This ensures they won't stick to foil once completely dry.) Remove tape from the erasers, tie a pretty ribbon around them, and delight your book lover.

Gilded Bookends

Add glimmer to their shelves with a little at-home alchemy: Spray-paint any object (like bricks, as pictured here) to transform them into gilded bookends. Start by covering bricks with a towel and then using a hammer to chip the surfaces to create an uneven, aged effect. Apply a coat of paint and let it dry thoroughly. For next to nothing, you've created a stylish support any title would be proud to lean against.

Monogrammed Velvet Ribbon

In this luxe adornment, a strip of velvet trim is stamped with the name or initials of the recipient and paired with their favorite book or a blank journal for an incredible gift.

Cut the ribbon using the book as a guide for measurements: the length of the front and back covers, plus binding, and add 2 inches (the extra ribbon on ends will wrap around the inside covers). Use a fabric pen on the reverse side of the ribbon to mark the placement of alphabet rubber stamps for spelling out the recipient's name.

Preheat an iron to the cotton or wool setting. Place the rubber stamp, relief side up, on a sturdy, heatproof surface. Place the ribbon, pile side down, over the stamp. Using the portion of the iron's soleplate that has no steam holes, press down evenly on the ribbon, covering the stamp. Keep it there for 10 to 30 seconds, then lift the iron straight up. (If the ribbon sticks to the iron, the heat setting may be too high, or the velvet may contain heat-sensitive synthetics.)

Attach the ribbon by carefully applying a low-moisture paste-style glue to the inside front cover and secure the ribbon end. Let dry, then wrap the ribbon around the book and glue it to the inside back cover.

Sashiko Bookmark

The traditional Japanese art of sashiko is a type of mending meant to be seen—and it has found new life in the era of slow fashion and visible mending. It is so beautiful; who would ever want to hide it? It also makes it a lovely choice for adorning a bookmark.

Waterproof Book Covers

A trip to the beach is best spent with a good summer read. But water, sand, and reading never mix. To protect the pages, offer a set of waterproof book covers made of vibrant-colored oilcloth. To make one, cut a rectangle of oilcloth as wide as the object you want to hold, plus 1/2 inch for seams, and 2 1/4 times its height (for a horizontal pouch, flip these dimensions). Fold to form a pocket shape with right side facing outward, stitch up the edges, and then add self-adhesive Velcro fasteners to secure.

Tassel Bookmark

Here is an easy yet beautiful accessory that any book lover would appreciate: A tassel-topped bookmark in contrasting colors. Tassels can be made in any mix of metallic and cotton embroidery floss, silk bead cord, and fine silk thread—and in any size. Follow our tassel instructions below, and then attach your creation to a bookmark in a complementary shade.

Decorative Book Cover

For a back-to-school surprise, craft a fun book cover for the student in your life. Or use the same instructions with different art—think vintage maps or wallpaper—for a grown-up version to encase a precious gifted book. Either way, a basic cover can go a long way in jazzing up (and protecting!) a beloved book.

Arm Knit Blanket

Every reader needs a comfy blanket to curl up in while they read. This handmade knot blanket is easy to make and creates a chunky blanket perfect for a cozy reading nook.