The Librarian’s Gift Guide

Librarians don’t know everything, but we do know where to find anything. Combine that with a big part of the job being to recommend things, and I think we’re pretty well pitched to be the person who helps you find your gifts. These are the things that I would buy for anyone who loves to be in the library, with a slight bias towards things I would get children, because they are who frequent my own library. Enjoy, and I’d love your suggestions for other items… mostly for me to covet.

Kaweco Sport

Hand writing is fun. It’s a hobby these days, and if somebody might be interested in getting into it I can’t think of a better pen than a Kaweco Sport [1]: it’s cheap, robust, ideal for small hands yet weighted nicely if posted (when you put the cap on the back) for larger hands, and comes in a variety of colours (mine is white). I truly believe in fountain pens: they make journalling, thank-you cards, and taking notes in meetings into an activity that feels glamorous, and transform even the most illegible handwriting into an elegant scrawl in your signature colour.

Accessories for a fountain pen:

• A converter is essential. It will add £5 to the price of the pen and easily save that over its lifetime, as well as enabling the user to access the world of inks.
• Wearingeul ink, a high-quality bookish brand that will surely delight anyone. My recommendation is The Nightingale and the Rose as a subtle neutral with a gentle, tasteful shimmer.
• Journal – my current journal is Legami and I hope the company goes under because their paper is shitty and their pens are aesthetic plastic trash. Get a Moleskine at the minimum, but I would personally gift a sketchbook rather than a notebook because a paper that is designed to withstand watercolours is more than capable of holding proper ink and some glue, or something with paper from a Japanese brand.
• A letter set and stamps.
• A flat-tip craft syringe will enable your giftee to refill their pens without putting the neck into the bottle, keeping the ink nice for longer and minimising spill risk. This also helps with cleaning the pen, which I do quite regularly because half the fun of a manual item is taking it apart and putting it back together again.
• The item on my own secret wishlist: a wax seal. I have a number of wax seals in various baskets. (If you want the sensible alternative to this, gift a glue tape and some stickers.)

Concert tickets, bracelet-making kit

This is what you should get for a child. You should encourage children to love things, experience them wholeheartedly, and look forward to them. This is the gift that builds community and love and art in a child, and isn’t that what everyone wants for Christmas? If the child in your life is old enough to make friendship bracelets, they are old enough to understand that you can commune with something you love in multiple ways, that there are other people out there who love it to, and they can choose to wear love on their sleeve or enjoy it privately as they wish.

Q-Pot or Mazin Jewels

Just because something is chintzy doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be high-quality and ethical; Q-Pot are a Japanese designer brand whose signature is styling jewellery to look like sweets. Equally, just because something is simple and elegant doesn’t mean it should be upsold; Mazin have been seen on the likes of Taylor Swift, and still sell their tasteful pieces at accessible prices. Depending on the kind of person you’re buying for, accessories might be a quiet sparkle or a bold statement, but you’re sure to find something at one of these brands that will delight anyone who’s got a touch of femme in their style.

Rosalía Lux vinyl

This is the best album of 2025 and touches on so many genres I cannot imagine a person who would not love it. The physical release comes with extra songs, and whilst I’m a CD girlie myself a vinyl works for even people who don’t have a way to play it, as they are beautiful and can be displayed as art. I am trying very hard not to buy physical music at the moment and secretly wishing for all Rosalía’s albums on CD or Lux specifically as a vinyl as my Christmas gift (though I’d be happy with any physical media, as I do believe in the joy of collecting). Other music suggestions include: the Taylor Swift record they probably don’t own, Finneas’ recent release, or Joy Oladokun for something more chill.

Author Finger Puppet

I used to have Shakespeare, who I used as the topper for my poet-tree (ie what I made of the library’s Christmas tree). Whimsical and personal, I am sure any libraryish person could find a use for one of these, even if it’s just sticking him on the fridge.

The Nutcracker

Somewhere in your city will be showing The Nutcracker. You should see it in person, because it is charming and Christmassy and incredibly accessible as far as ‘high arts’ go.

Chocolates

If you must gift chocs, and I do caution against it because this is a season of excessive eating for all concerned and it can be quite hard to avoid, I would send you the way of the F&M bars. Fortnum’s are a no-fail Christmas gift anyway, and the packaging of their bars are always appealing to any bookish types. What was previously reminiscent of a book cover has been repackaged to be musical – and just as adorable.

Christmas sweater

If all else fails, buy a gift from a library. Iconic libraries all have shops! I recommend the British Library’s Christmas sweater [2], the London Library’s tote bags, or the NYPL’s bookends.

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On This Topic:

• I am not the only person recommending bookish gifts – why not try one of these videos for more suggestions?
• The National Book Token lives! The greatest gift of my childhood can be the greatest gift of theirs too. Remember to put £20 on it because economics has done a number on us and inflation is a bitch.
• Reminder that books can be legally free – enjoy Gutenberg, perhaps with my helpful guide to the service?

To-Do:

• Prep 2x ‘study skills’ lessons
• Write xmas cards and letters
• Pack for Wales. Don’t forget: Highway Code, D’s birthday gift

Today’s Culture:

• Now work is finished I can leave explicit lyrics on my Spotify and enjoy my ‘sad Christmas chill’ playlist instead of being asked for ‘real Christmas music’ every two minutes by my young charges
• The Christmas crackers at The Ivy are adorable.
• Gluing Christmas cards into my journal.

[1] other good choices include: Lamy Safari (I find it leakier), the TWSBI Eco (I hate piston fillers), the Platinum Preppy (I think the body / casing feels cheap) or the Pilot Kakuno (inherently babyish kawaii design)

[2] I am literally wearing it right now, as I type this.