Gifts Which are Literary & Lovely 2022

The lovely bits and pieces in this post are gift ideas for colleagues, friends, family and teachers – a bit of a mash up of all the things I love, and I think you will also love. They are not sponsored ideas, though some links are affiliate links (which cost the buyer nothing) and which support the running costs of this website.

Book lists for book gifting to the little people (and adults) in your life are coming soon so keep an eye out on the blog and in the newsletter. In the meantime you check out my ‘Top 20 Books for…’ lists here.

Also remember to check out your local independent bookstores for literary gifts – in Brisbane our favs are Scrumptious Reads, Avid Reader, Where the Wild Things Are, Riverbend Books, Bright and Early Books, Books @ Stones, Wildflowers and Reading Hours, Little Gnome Bookshop and Quick Brown Fox.

Many of the businesses linked are small businesses and I try to ensure all my gift suggestions are ethical.

Display your favourite books

Book frames are a wonderful way to display your or your kids favourite book, magazine or vinyl.

Corner Block Studio make all manner of beautiful things from materials that are environmentally sustainable and cruelty-free. The owners, who are Brisbane | Meanjin based, say they are ‘guided by a deep admiration for our precious earth’. I’m on board with that!

Bookish bits from Book Geek

Book Geek have gifts that are quirky, literary and all round excellent. Year on year they seem to add so much more divine literary goodness to their range – the candles are my favourite although I rather like the Yoshi leather keyrings, Chapter One earrings and enamel pins! Their service is super fast and reliable – and a #ladystartup. Use the code CBD15 for 15% off all purchases.

Treasured Keepsakes from Oh My Giddy Aunt

My love affair continues with this unique and beautiful gift shop. If you have been following me for a while you will know that I have a thing for the keepsake gifts from Oh My Giddy Aunt

Nikki has handed the reigns of this wonderful shop over to another fab woman – Kelly. Welcome to the Children’s Books Daily community Kelly! Oh My Giddy Aunt’s attention to detail and service is like nothing I’ve ever experienced shopping online. I’ve purchased charm bracelets for the girls, charm bracelets as a combined gift for colleagues (a charm unique to each person), charm necklaces, engraved silver whistles, jewellery boxes and silver book buckles. The ‘queen bee’ ring below is one of my favourite pieces and I wear it everyday. You can choose your birthstones, what metal you want your bees in and where they’re placed! Such fun. Enter code CBD on any Oh My Giddy Aunt purchase to receive a free silver charm.

The most stylish of all bags

To The Wild is a brand new venture from Brisbane based busy people and mums, Jooles and Marianne. Created out of sheer necessity (as all worthy products are), their launch product the ‘All the Days’ bag is our choice for the exciting library day visit (many a picture book can be carried!) and it’s THE perfect accessory for your book club date – books, snacks, wine all carted beautifully in water resistant cotton canvas with stylish brass detailing and in an array of beautiful colours. What sounds so amazing about this bag though? It stands up while you’re digging through the contents – a simple thing but my golly it makes life easier! There’s also six internal pockets – four of which can hold water bottles. Jump on to their very pretty Instagram page and follow for details of the launch party.

To The Wild ‘All the Days’ bag – functional + classically timeless

Statement jewellery from Ruby Olive

Ruby Olive jewellery has a colour, shape and pattern for everyone and I am rarely without one of the Ruby Olive necklaces these days – I love the feel of the hand-poured resin and the incredibly bold colours. I think it would be very difficult to NOT find a gift for everyone you love (including the pooches and kitties) at Ruby Olive! The colours and the quality of Ruby Olive pieces are delicious, affordable and just plain fun…and they have bees!

Goodies from Gorman

My Christmas dress each year tends to be Gorman – and I’ll be doing my best to thwart The Beekeeper’s ugly Christmas shirt idea! For actual Christmas day I love this picnic rug – which is also perfect for hosting a summer book club outing! Gorman’s bright and breezy designs are so feel good. I covet their new bedroom linen designs (hint hint!). And their doona covers and hampers are perfect for the teens. You can shop Gorman via this link.

Reusable & sustainable choices from Biome

The stats on throw away coffee cups are pretty staggering (2.7 million per day!!) so KeepCups are a constant and always welcome gift (and let’s acknowledge the fact that caffeine is a high priority!). KeepCup are loved by teachers to keep their coffee warm, because find me an educator who can ever sit down for an entire cup of life-giving caffeine!

I recommend Biome every year to friends and family looking for thoughtful and sustainable gift ideas. They continue to stock a great range of fair trade and sustainable gifts including gorgeous Australian Christmas decorations (I recommend these every year!) and I love, love, love the banksia tealights – I have more than a few. I have looked on enviously at some of the stylish lunchboxes some of the teachers and students bring to school – a joy to eat from! The Biome range of beauty and DIY products is exceptional quality and simply and beautifully packaged, I very much recommend them.

Reading material

If you’re looking for a book gift check out the list of new and exciting grown up reads available from Booktopia via this link. I’d love to say I’ve read ALL of my recommendations below but you know… kids, work, LIFE etc! These selections below are definitely on my list for summer. Click on the image to purchase books JUST FOR YOU!