What to Put in a Book Lover’s Hamper

The complete guide to building a gift they’ll absolutely love — whatever your budget

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If you’ve ever stood in a shop trying to think of a gift for someone who loves reading, you’ll know the particular frustration of it. You could buy them a book — but what if they’ve already read it? A bookmark feels a bit thin on its own. A candle is nice, but is it really a book gift?

This is where the hamper idea is so brilliant. Rather than agonising over one perfect thing, you gather a small collection of lovely, thoughtful bits — and suddenly you have a gift that feels genuinely special. Something they can unwrap slowly, savour, and actually use.

Whether you’re putting something together for a birthday, Christmas, a new baby (who has a book-loving parent who needs a treat), or just because — here’s everything you might want to include, from the small and affordable to the properly lovely splurge.

You don’t need to include everything on this list, of course. Pick the things that feel right for the person you’re buying for, set yourself a budget, and build from there.

1. The Book — Obviously

Every book hamper needs an actual book at its heart. The trick is choosing one that feels considered — not just a bestseller grabbed from a supermarket shelf. Think about what they love: do they read literary fiction, cosy crime, big sweeping historical novels? Is there an author they’ve mentioned wanting to try?

A few ideas to get you started:

A beautiful hardback edition — Waterstones has a lovely range of clothbound classics and special editions that feel genuinely giftable. Browse special editions at Waterstones
A book club classic — if they’re in a book club (or you want to nudge them towards starting one), why not include one of our monthly picks? Check out This Month’s Pick for inspiration.
A book you’ve personally loved — honestly, a handwritten note saying “I loved this and thought of you” is worth more than any amount of careful curation.

2. A Beautiful Mug

Reading and a hot drink are practically inseparable. A mug that feels special — not just a freebie from a conference — makes every cup of tea feel like a small occasion.

We have a lovely Book Club mug in our shop — designed specifically for readers and book clubbers, and just the sort of thing that makes a hamper feel properly put-together rather than a random collection of bits.

Pair it with a small packet of good tea or a bag of nice coffee and you’ve immediately got a hamper that feels cohesive and considered.

3. Something to Enhance the Reading Experience

These are the little bits that make reading feel like a proper ritual rather than just something you do on the bus. Great for filling out a hamper without spending a fortune.

A lovely bookmark

Not a scrap of paper. Not a receipt. An actual, proper bookmark — the kind they’d never buy for themselves. We have free printable bookmarks in our Freebie Library if you’d like to print and personalise one, or you can find beautiful handmade and enamel bookmarks on Amazon and Etsy.

A reading journal or notebook

A dedicated notebook for keeping track of books read, quotes they want to remember, or thoughts on what they’re reading. Many keen readers keep one already — and if they don’t, this might inspire them to start. Look for something with a soft cover and decent paper. Waterstones has a lovely selection.

Sticky tabs and annotation supplies

A slightly niche one, but annotating readers absolutely love a set of coloured sticky tabs for marking passages. They look like nothing in the packet but make a genuinely thoughtful addition to a bookish hamper. Find sticky page tabs on Amazon.

4. Something Cosy

Reading is fundamentally a cosy activity — and a hamper gives you a brilliant excuse to lean into that. Think about what makes a reading session feel properly indulgent.

A scented candle — something warm and atmospheric. Woodsmoke, sandalwood, or a proper ‘old books’ scent if you can find one.
A small bar of good chocolate or a packet of biscuits — nothing says ‘settled in for the evening’ quite like a Tunnock’s teacake and a good novel.
A pair of cosy socks — underrated as a hamper addition, and always appreciated.
A small packet of loose-leaf tea or a selection of herbal teas — especially lovely paired with the mug.

5. A Bookish Gift to Make It Feel Special

This is the bit that elevates a hamper from ‘nice collection of things’ to ‘a gift someone clearly put thought into’. A small item that’s specifically and joyfully for book lovers — something they wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves.

We have a small but carefully chosen range of bookish gifts in The Gifted Bookworm shop — including our book club tote bag and mug, both of which sit beautifully in a hamper. They’re designed to be the sort of thing a reader spots and thinks oh, that’s exactly me.

If you’re shopping elsewhere, Etsy is brilliant for this sort of thing — search for ‘bookish gifts UK‘ and you’ll find independent makers doing wonderful work.

6. A Free Printable (A Little Bonus Touch)

This one costs nothing but adds a lovely personal touch. Print out one of our free reader printables — a reading challenge sheet, a book bingo card, or a reading tracker — and tuck it into the hamper.

You’ll find everything in our free printables library. Print it on nice paper, fold it neatly, and it looks like something you’ve curated especially — because you have.

It’s a small touch but a thoughtful one — and if they’re not already familiar with The Gifted Bookworm, it might introduce them to a little corner of the internet they’ll love.

7. Don’t Forget the Hamper Itself

Presentation matters. A box or basket that looks lovely doesn’t need to cost a lot — and it means the recipient has something useful at the end of it too.

A wicker basket — classic, reusable, and you can find them cheaply at most homeware shops or on Amazon.
A fabric-lined box or sturdy gift box — slightly more modern than a wicker basket and easier to wrap.
A canvas tote bag — especially good if you’ve included our book club tote, as the bag becomes part of the gift itself.

Line it with tissue paper or crinkle-cut filler, arrange things so the prettiest items are visible at the top, and tie with a ribbon. Done.

Putting It All Together: Three Budget Options

Not sure where to start? Here are three ways to build a hamper at different price points:

The Sweet & Simple Hamper — around £20–25

One paperback book
A printed bookmark from our freebie library
A small bar of nice chocolate
A packet of good tea
A small gift bag or box to put it all in

The Proper Bookish Hamper — around £40–50

A hardback or special edition book
Our Book Club mug from The Gifted Bookworm shop
A scented candle
A pretty bookmark or sticky page tabs
A reading journal or notebook
A wicker basket lined with tissue paper

The Ultimate Book Lover’s Hamper — £70+

Two or three beautifully chosen books
Our Book Club mug and tote bag
A quality scented candle
A reading journal
A box of good biscuits or nice tea selection
Sticky page tabs and a nice pen
A printed reading challenge from our freebie library
A generously sized wicker basket or fabric-lined gift box

The Most Important Ingredient

All of that said — the thing that makes a hamper truly special isn’t the budget or the basket. It’s the sense that someone actually thought about the person they were buying for.

A handwritten note tucked inside — telling them why you chose the book, or just that you thought of them — is worth more than any amount of careful styling. Don’t skip it.

Now go and make something lovely.

Looking for bookish gifts to include? Browse The Gifted Bookworm shop — and grab some free printables from our freebie library to tuck inside. 🐛📚

— The Gifted Bookworm 🐛