DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: 17 Cozy Handmade Christmas Ideas That Look Like Bookshop Treasures
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers are the easiest presents to get right, because readers already tell you what they love. Every reader on your list has a stack by the bed, a favorite chair and a habit of losing bookmarks. So give them something that makes those quiet hours feel special. This list is full of cozy handmade ideas that look like they came from a tiny independent bookshop. You will find a quilted book sleeve, pressed flower bookmarks, a hollowed keepsake book, a reading night basket and a sweet blind date with a book. Most of these take one evening. Many use thrift store finds and fabric scraps you already own. A few can be made in batches for your book club. Each idea has a supply list and three simple steps, so you can start tonight and wrap it by the weekend..
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers Start With a Bookshop Bundle
Picture a reader opening a bundle that looks like it came from a tiny shop on a snowy street. Books wrapped in kraft paper and red ribbon. A quilted sleeve to carry them. Leather and pressed flower bookmarks tucked on top. A painted mug of tea for the first chapter. That is the magic of a bundle. You do not need to make everything at once. Pick two or three projects below, add a thrifted book, and wrap it all together. Our handmade gifts for friends list has more ideas you can mix in. Swipe on and start choosing your favorites..
You will need: two or three thrifted hardcover books, red velvet ribbon, a shallow box or tray, tissue paper, fresh pine sprigs and two or three handmade gifts from this list.
How to make it: 1. Stack the books from largest to smallest and tie them with ribbon like a parcel. 2. Set the stack in a tissue lined box with the smaller gifts around it. 3. Tuck pine sprigs into the corners and close the lid with a matching bow.
Quilted Fabric Book Sleeve
Readers carry books everywhere, and covers get bent in bags. A padded sleeve keeps them safe and looks charming on a coffee shop table. One fat quarter of pretty cotton is enough for a sleeve that fits most hardcovers. A thin layer of batting gives it that soft quilted feel. A fabric bow or a button closure makes it feel finished. If you have never sewn a simple pouch before, our easy Christmas sewing projects will walk you through the basics. Make a matching one for paperbacks too.
You will need: one fat quarter of quilting cotton, a lining fat quarter, thin cotton batting, a sewing machine, thread, pins, a ruler and a small strip of fabric for a bow.
How to make it: 1. Cut outer fabric, lining and batting to 11 x 19 inches, then stack and quilt straight lines 1 inch apart. 2. Fold in half right sides together and sew the bottom and side. 3. Turn it, fold the top edge in, topstitch and hand sew a fabric bow on the front.
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Pressed flower bookmarks look like tiny pieces of art, and they cost almost nothing. Pansies, ferns and small daisies flatten beautifully in an old phone book. Seal them under clear contact paper and they last for years. A red tassel at the top makes them feel like a gift shop find. These are wonderful DIY Gifts for Book Lovers because you can make ten in one sitting. For more ways to use your dried blooms, see our pressed flower craft ideas. Slip one inside every book you give this year.
You will need: pressed flowers and leaves, cardstock cut to 2 x 6 inches, clear self adhesive contact paper, scissors, a small paper punch, embroidery floss for tassels and tweezers.
How to make it: 1. Arrange the flowers on the cardstock with tweezers. 2. Cover both sides with contact paper, smoothing from the center out, then trim a thin clear border. 3. Punch a small opening at the top and loop on a floss tassel.
Hand Stamped Leather Bookmarks
Leather bookmarks feel grown up and last a lifetime. Plain vegetable tanned leather strips take a stamp beautifully. A few taps with a small mallet leave crisp stars, leaves or initials. Tie a twisted leather tassel through the top and it looks like it came from a heritage shop. They are also great for the men on your list who read. Our handmade gifts for men has more leather ideas if you buy a bigger hide. Rub in a little leather balm at the end for a rich glow.
You will need: vegetable tanned leather strips 1.5 x 7 inches, metal leather stamps, a small mallet, a damp sponge, a leather punch, thin leather lace and leather balm.
How to make it: 1. Wipe the leather with a damp sponge so it takes the stamp. 2. Set it on a hard surface and tap each stamp once, firmly, to make your pattern. 3. Punch the top, loop and knot a leather lace tassel, then buff with balm.
Book Page Wreath Ornament
Every reader deserves a little book themed ornament for their tree. This mini wreath uses rolled petals of old book pages glued onto a cardboard ring. A tiny red bow finishes it. Use a damaged thrift store book that cannot be read anymore, so no good story is lost. It looks delicate and vintage, and it hangs beautifully near warm lights. If you love working with paper like this, our old book Christmas crafts has a full wreath and star collection. Make one for each member of a book club.
You will need: pages from a damaged old book, a 4 inch cardboard ring, a hot glue gun (adult help), a pencil, thin red ribbon and twine for hanging.
How to make it: 1. Cut pages into 2 inch squares and roll each one loosely around a pencil into a cone. 2. Glue the cones around the ring in two overlapping rows. 3. Glue a small red bow at the bottom and loop twine at the top for hanging.
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: A Cozy Reading Night Basket
A reading night basket is a hug in a box. Fill it with everything someone needs for a slow evening with a good story. A soft blanket, warm socks, loose leaf tea, a mug and a used book you think they will love. Add a jar of homemade cookies and a string of battery fairy lights for a gentle glow. Of all the DIY Gifts for Book Lovers here, this one feels the most generous. For more ways to pack a cozy basket, see our brrr basket ideas.
You will need: a woven basket, a fleece or plaid throw, cozy socks, loose leaf tea, a mug, a used book, a small jar of cookies, battery fairy lights and tissue paper.
How to make it: 1. Roll the blanket and set it in the back of the basket. 2. Tuck the book, mug and tea in front, with socks and cookies filling the gaps. 3. Weave the fairy lights through the top and tie a big bow on the handle.
Cutting Board Book Stand
A book stand is a gift readers use for recipes, big art books and cozy breakfast reading. This one starts with a thrifted wooden cutting board. Two dowels hold the pages, and a simple back leg props it up. It looks like a pricey kitchen shop item, but it costs a few dollars. Finish it with food safe oil so it can live on the counter. For more ways to turn a plain board into a present, see our cutting board Christmas gifts.
You will need: a wooden cutting board about 10 x 14 inches, a 1 x 2 inch wood strip, a 3/8 inch dowel, a drill (adult help), wood glue, sandpaper and food safe mineral oil.
How to make it: 1. Drill two shallow sockets near the bottom edge and glue in 2 inch dowel pegs as the page ledge. 2. Attach a 9 inch wood strip to the back with a small hinge so it folds out as a leg. 3. Sand everything smooth and rub in mineral oil.
Painted Book Spine Mug
A plain white mug turns into one of the sweetest DIY Gifts for Book Lovers with a ring of painted book spines. Use red, green, navy and mustard for a cozy library feel. Little gold lines across each spine make them look like old hardcovers. Bake it in a home oven so the paint sets. It is a sweet gift for a coworker, a teacher or a book club host. Our Secret Santa gift ideas has more fun presents in this price range. Fill the mug with tea bags before you wrap it.
You will need: a plain white ceramic mug, oil based paint pens or porcelain paint in four colors, a gold paint pen, rubbing alcohol, painter’s tape and a home oven.
How to make it: 1. Wipe the mug with rubbing alcohol and tape a straight line as a shelf guide. 2. Paint tall and short rectangles side by side all around, then add gold lines once dry. 3. Let it rest a day, then bake as the paint label directs and let it cool in the oven.
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: Embroidered Book Stack Tea Towel
An embroidered tea towel is a gift that sits out every day. A little stack of colorful books with a sprig of holly is simple enough for a beginner. Use backstitch for the outlines and satin stitch to fill the spines. Plain linen towels are cheap in packs, so you can make several. This is one of those DIY Gifts for Book Lovers that also delights the cook in the family. Our Christmas embroidery ideas has stitch tips and more patterns to try.
You will need: a plain linen tea towel, a 6 inch embroidery hoop, embroidery floss in five colors, an embroidery needle, a water soluble marker and small scissors.
How to make it: 1. Draw four stacked rectangles and a holly sprig in one corner with the marker. 2. Hoop the fabric and backstitch the outlines, then satin stitch each book a different color. 3. Rinse away the marker lines and press the towel flat.
Book Nook Shelf Insert
Book nooks are tiny scenes that slide between books on a shelf. Peek inside and you see a little alley with shop fronts and glowing windows. Readers adore them because it feels like stepping into a story. You can build one from foam board, cardboard and paint. A strip of battery fairy lights makes the windows glow at night. If you love making small worlds, our tiny diorama art has more tricks for brick, stone and aging paint.
You will need: foam board, a craft knife, cardboard scraps, acrylic paints, a fine brush, white glue, a strip of battery fairy lights and clear plastic for window panes.
How to make it: 1. Build a narrow box 3 inches wide, 8 inches tall and 7 inches deep from foam board. 2. Cut shop fronts from cardboard, paint stones and bricks, and glue them along both inner walls. 3. Thread fairy lights behind the windows and hide the battery pack at the back.
Painted Book Page Art in a Thrift Frame
Thrift stores are full of handsome old frames for a dollar or two. Paint a soft watercolor pine tree and snowy hills, then frame it for a reader’s favorite nook. If you have a damaged old book, you can paint right over a page for a gentle vintage background. It looks like a gallery print and costs very little. For more framing ideas, see our Christmas picture frame crafts.
You will need: a thrifted frame, watercolor paper or a page from a damaged old book, watercolor paints, a round brush, white gel pen, gold spray paint (optional) and a cloth.
How to make it: 1. Spray the frame gold outside and let it dry, if you like. 2. Paint a pale sky wash, then a green pine tree and soft blue snowy hills. 3. Add white dots for snow, let it dry flat and slip it into the frame.
Crochet Book Cover With a Glasses Pocket
Readers always lose their glasses. Among cozy DIY Gifts for Book Lovers, a crochet book cover with a little front pocket solves that in the sweetest way. Soft sage green yarn feels calm and cozy. The cover slips over a paperback and protects it in a bag. If you crochet even a little, this is a two evening project. Our crochet home decor has more easy patterns in soft colors.
You will need: worsted weight cotton yarn in sage green, a 5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, scissors and a paperback book to measure.
How to make it: 1. Chain enough stitches to wrap around the open book plus 6 inches, then work single crochet rows until it matches the book height. 2. Fold 3 inches in on each end and sew the top and bottom to form flaps. 3. Crochet a small square pocket and sew it on the front.
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: Hollowed Book Keepsake Box
A hollowed book is a secret on the shelf. From the outside it looks like any other hardcover. Inside, a neat cut space holds jewelry, keepsakes or a small note. It is one of the most magical DIY Gifts for Book Lovers, and it uses a damaged thrift book. Put a gift inside before you wrap it for a double surprise. Our home library ideas shows how to style a secret box like this on a real shelf so nobody guesses.
You will need: a damaged thick hardcover book, white glue mixed half and half with water, a foam brush, a metal ruler, a sharp craft knife (adult help) and clips.
How to make it: 1. Clip the cover open and brush the glue mix on all page edges, then let it dry under a weight. 2. Draw a rectangle 3/4 inch from the edges and cut down a few pages at a time. 3. Brush glue inside the walls, let it dry and line the bottom with felt.
Botanical Tile Coasters for Reading Breaks
Every reader needs somewhere safe to set down a cup of tea. Plain white tiles from the hardware store cost less than a dollar each. Decoupage a soft vintage leaf pattern on top and they look like a boutique set. Felt on the bottom protects the side table. They pair perfectly with the reading basket or a used book. For more coaster styles, see our Christmas coaster ideas. Tie a set of four with twine and a sprig of pine.
You will need: four 4 inch white ceramic tiles, botanical print napkins or paper, decoupage glue, a foam brush, clear waterproof sealer and felt sheets.
How to make it: 1. Separate the top napkin layer and cut it to fit each tile. 2. Brush glue on the tile, lay the paper down, smooth it and brush a coat on top. 3. Let it dry, seal with three coats of waterproof sealer and glue felt underneath.
Carved Book Stamp Kit
Many readers love marking their books as their own, like a small library. A hand carved stamp with a tree or a monogram makes a sweet personal kit. Soft carving blocks cut like butter, so it is a fun first carving project. Glue the stamp to a wooden knob for a handle and add a small ink pad. Wrap it with a few blank bookplates. For more small gifts that fit in a stocking, see our DIY stocking stuffers.
You will need: a soft rubber carving block, a lino cutter set (adult help), a pencil, tracing paper, a wooden knob, strong glue, an ink pad and blank sticker labels for bookplates.
How to make it: 1. Draw a simple tree, trace it and rub it onto the block in reverse. 2. Carve away everything outside the lines with the small then large cutter. 3. Trim the block, glue it to the knob, and test print on scrap paper.
DIY Gifts for Book Lovers: Blind Date With a Book
A blind date with a book is the most fun way to give a used book. Wrap it in plain kraft paper so the cover is hidden. Write three clues on the tag, like cozy, snowy village or a twist you will not see coming. The reader picks by feeling, not by cover. These DIY Gifts for Book Lovers also make fun party favors for a book club swap. Our Christmas bookshelf decor shows how kraft wrapped books look styled on a shelf too. Find great used books at library sales for a dollar each.
You will need: thrifted books, brown kraft paper, red and white baker’s twine, small kraft tags, a fine marker, tape and small pine sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Wrap each book in kraft paper like a present with neat folded ends. 2. Write three short clues on a tag about mood, setting and genre. 3. Tie with baker’s twine and tuck a pine sprig under the knot.
Reading Pillow With a Side Pocket
A reading pillow with arms turns any bed into a cozy armchair. The side pocket holds a book, glasses and a phone. Cream corduroy looks soft and expensive. It is a bigger sewing project, but the pieces are mostly rectangles. Stuff it firmly so it holds its shape for years. If you like sewing pillows, our needlepoint pillow ideas has more cozy designs. Learn more about the history of reading accessories on the Wikipedia page for bookmarks.
You will need: 2 yards of corduroy, polyester fiberfill, a sewing machine, thread, pins, chalk, a paper pattern and a 7 x 8 inch fabric piece for the pocket.
How to make it: 1. Cut a back, a seat panel and two arm pieces from your pattern, plus the pocket. 2. Sew the pocket onto one arm, then join the arms to the back and the seat, leaving a gap. 3. Turn it, stuff firmly and close the gap by hand.
