A Bookworm Christmas: A Small Business Guide to Holiday Shopping
Hello lovely readers! We will soon be entering my favorite season of the year- CHRISTMAS! If you are like me, you may have either started your shopping or are starting to think about shopping. One of the reasons I started this blog was to highlight small bookish businesses and what better time to consider shopping small but during the most wonderful time of the year? These eight featured businesses I have spoken to the owners personally and plan to work with in some capacity (if I haven’t already). I want to note I was NOT gifted anything from these businesses (except 1 which I will explain); I have either purchased or plan to purchase in the near future. Best of all, some of these businesses are offering discounts to YOU, my lovely readers! So here are eight businesses to consider when shopping for that perfect bookish gift.
1.Hello Milo
Products: bookish apparel and accessories
Social: shophellomilo on Instagram and Hello Milo on Facebook
Website: www.shophellomilo.com
I could not have started this list without mentioning the first company that made me a brand ambassador- Hello Milo! This lovely company was started by Taylor and is a female owned brand. They specialize in bookish apparel, mugs, and pins. Hello Milo really focuses on comfort with their clothing, which I can attest to. I bought their Cozy Readers Book Society fall sweatshirt (in navy blue)and I pretty much live in it; the inside is so soft!. I have washed it and the image has not faded. They have recently released a Christmas collection that you must check out (including the sweatshirt pictured above). As a brand ambassador, I am happy to offer a discount code: use LADYBOOKISHBLOG for 15% off your order! Check them out!
2.Rare Biblio
Product: Custom Leather Bound Books
Social: Rare Biblio on Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest, and Youtube
Website: www.rarebiblio.com
I love leather bound books- the look, the smell, and the feel of leather bound books just puts a smile on my face. Rare Biblio is a premium leather binding organization that specializes in crafting customized leather bound editions. They offer clients to customize their book according to their own design preferences; this can include engraving a name and gold embossing! They also offer restoration services- so if you ever wanted that family heirloom fixed (like a family Bible), they can help! I ADORE the look of their books and plan to purchase one next year (I will be posting about that in the future). While I love classics, you can have ANY book done including your favorite modern books. Consider treating your loved ones (or yourself) to a leather bound book that will last a lifetime.
*Note: If you want a book guaranteed by Christmas, Rare Biblio asks that you send your request in BY NOVEMBER 20.*
3.Rooted Home Mercantile
Product: jewelry and accessories
Social: rootedhomemercantile on Instagram
Website: www.rooted-home.org
One of my favorite things about small businesses is the heart and soul behind them. Rooted Home is a lovely business run by a Christ loving mama named Jessie! She wanted to create a business that celebrated not only quality items but allows her to raise her family in a slow, more present way. In terms of bookish items, she has lovely earrings, shirts, stickers, bags, and more! She also carries BEAUTIFUL Wordsworth Exclusive family classics. I have not made my purchase yet, only because I can’t seem to decide what to buy first! Check out her website and give your loved ones thoughtful, meaningful, and high quality accessories.
4.Tea and Ink Society Subscription Box
Product: Seasonal Subscription Service
Social: teaandinksociety on Instagram and Facebook
This next item (technically items) are for my classic readers who love to read seasonally! The Tea and Ink Society subscription box is released 4 times a year, one per season, and includes a lovely edition of a classic novel, a tea that complements the season and book, a bookish accessory, and a letter that introduces the book, author, and items. What I love about these boxes in particular are that they are often lesser known classics, allowing you to get an often unknown to you book. Also, the items in the box are from other small businesses and we LOVE to support small businesses here at Lady Bookish! Elsie, a kindred spirit of mine, also writes the Tea and Ink Society blog which is BAR NONE the best book blog on the internet and my personal favorite. Best of all, the price is a steal- $40 per box (plus $9.95 flat fee for shipping) every three months! I have slacked at getting a box but I plan to rectify that. Don’t be like me- grab a subscription box order for your loved ones and yourself today!
5.Literary Creations by Jenny
Product: Bookshelves and Bookish apparel
Socials: literarycreationsbyjenny on Instagram
Website: www.literarycreationsbyjenny.com
This next company I found on Instagram and knew I HAD to learn more! Literary Creations by Jenny began after a neck injury; while recovering, she rediscovered her love of reading! She started off making book sleeves but has now expanded to other bookish apparel. I love that her business is just her and her family so you get the personal touches. I have only just started talking to Jenny but I can tell she really cares about the products she makes. Besides her adorable book sleeves, Jenny also has fun sweatshirts, mugs, stickers and more! She has just released her Christmas collection, including her Cozy Christmas Book Lover Boxes, and they look amazing! For all my lovely readers, she is offering a 10% discount off the entire store with the code LADYBOOKISH. So what are you waiting for? Go check it out!
6.Chalkboard Candle Co.
Product: Candles
Socials: chalkboardcandleco on Instagram
Website: www.chalkboardcandleco.com
When I think of books, I think of candles. Candles create the perfect ambiance for getting lost in a story. When this company reached out to me, I was blown away by their business. Chalkboard Candle Co is a high quality, eco-friendly candle company that gives back to teachers. The founder, a former elementary school teacher named Kari, creates these natural coconut wax candles that are lead and phthalate free. They are poured in small batches in reusable glass containers. Each candle burns for 60+ hours and has a school themed name (cute!). I bought their winter bundle and am burning one right now; I can confirm they smell lovely! Best of all, a percentage of their sales go directly to a teacher via a check sent directly to them (you can even nominate a teacher to receive a check)! They are offering my lovely readers 15% off their order with the code LADYBOOKISH. You can’t go wrong with these candles!
7.Recycle, Read, Repeat
Product: Book Subscription Service
Socials: recyclereadandrepeat on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok
Website: www.recyclereadrepeat.com
Those who know me know that, most of the time, I prefer to buy used books over new books. I find it is the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way to consume books in the massive amounts I do (well that and the library, which I also use). When I came across this company on Instagram I fell in love with the idea. Recycle, Read, Repeat was founded by two friends, Kate & Ang, who love to pair used books with readers in a sustainable way. So how does this subscription work? You take a survey that asks about your favorite books and genres, which allows them to hand pick a book (no algorithm here!) for you. Once finished, you can either keep the book or send it back, which cuts down on unnecessary waste! Then, you fill out their feedback form and, with the new information, they send you another book. You can also skip a month, pause or cancel your subscription whenever you choose- though who wouldn’t want books hand picked for them? In addition, they also have individual books and merchandise you can purchase. I plan to utilize this service in the next year but definitely think this would make a great gift for the sustainable book reader in your life!
8.Bearded Gnome Leathercrafts
Products: Leather
Socials: bgleathercrafts on Instagram & Bearded Gnome Leathercrafts on Facebook
Last, but certainly not least, is Bearded Gnome Leathercrafts. This veteran owned leather business does everything by hand, from the dying to sewing to the customization of their goods. Now, they offer various items including belts, valet trays, earrings, and more. I specifically put them on this list for their beautiful journals. I use mine for taking notes for the blog and for my book reviews. Remember when I said there was one company that gifted me something? This company did so because, plot twist, it’s my parents! Yes, I am not above promoting my parents’ wonderful business, especially when the quality is so high. They are still working on their website but you can message them on Facebook, Instagram, or email beardedgnomeleathercrafts@gmail.com for requests. They also do markets in North Texas; here are the ones coming up for Christmas:
November 8-9: Merry Market (Prosper, Texas)
December 4: Salina Christmas on the Square (Salina, Texas)
December 7: Pilot Point Christmas on the Square (Pilot Point, Texas)
I am so excited to share these small businesses with you! Christmas shopping can be hard, even overwhelming, with the amount of advertisement and cheap ‘stuff’ thrown at us. I was earnest about making contact with the owners/founders because I wanted to recommend not just the products but the companies as a whole. If you want high quality items created with heart and care, I would recommend checking these businesses out.
Any small businesses, bookish or otherwise, you would recommend? Leave them below in the comments or on the Lady Bookish Facebook page.
Happy Reading!
Lady Bookish