Welcome to Metropolitan Mama’s Christmas Gift Guide for Readers. Below you will find books, clothing, tote bags, and accessories for people who appreciate the written word. This is always my favorite guide to put together since I read between 50-100 books per year and genuinely appreciate bookish gifts.
If you are looking for a gift for someone who loves books, start with The Folio Society. Founded in London in 1947, The Folio Society "publishes carefully crafted editions of the world’s finest literature." These books are beautiful to behold and a joy to read. Featuring lavish hardback covers with quality paper and imaginative illustrations, these are truly worthy of any book collector's library. Add one every year and you'll have the best looking home library in the neighborhood.
For holiday 2019, The Folio Society just debuted a lovely edition of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland." Bound in a royal red cloth with handsome gold lettering on the spine, the cover features a regal looking White Rabbit, who is holding a pocket watch. The inside pages feature a combination of full color and black-and-white whimsical illustrations by artist Charles Van Sandwyk.
New for holiday 2019! Canterbury Classics just released A Collection of Poems by Robert Frost. The book features a handsome hardbound cover with sparkling winter tree trunks upon a snowy path. This collection includes over 100 poems, including "Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening" (one of my favorites!) and "The Road Not Taken."
My daughters and I are doing all that we can to bring back the wonderful art of sending letters via the USPS! Email and texting have their place to be sure, but there is nothing quite like opening the mailbox to find a thoughtfully written letter in a friend's handwriting.
Over the past several years, I have noticed that stationery sets are surprisingly hard to find in stores. Thankfully, we discovered this simple and lovely set by C.R. Gibson, which includes 40 sheets of paper and 20 matching envelopes.
As mentioned at the top of this page, The Folio Society offers gift-worthy books for every age and interest. Each edition is exquisite - crafted with attention and careful attention to quality.
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge is no exception. Originally published in 1946, this children's novel tells the story of a recently orphaned teenage girl who is sent to the peculiar manor house of her cousin and guardian in the West Country of England. Open the pages of this enchanting book to uncover the mystery.
Don't forget about Cracker Barrel when you do your Christmas shopping! You can stop by a store in your city to see the unique selection OR you can shop online. They have clothing, toys, games, home decor, stocking stuffers, and a variety of nostalgic candies. If you find that you've missed shipping deadlines, head to your local Cracker Barrel!
For the reader in your life, consider the LED Christmas Storybook Glitter Globe. You'll love displaying this decor piece and marveling at the miniature scene - four carolers illuminated by a magical lightpole in a quaint & snowy town.
Ask a pencil enthusiasts about Blackwing Pencils and he or she is likely to rave about their quality craftsmanship. These pencils were originally introduced by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company in the 1930s and quickly drew a loyal following. For holiday 2019, we're pleased to shine the spotlight on the Blackwing Natural pencils with extra-firm graphite. Crafted with genuine California incense-cedar, these pencils feature a smooth Japanese graphite and unique, replaceable erasers. An excellent stocking stuffer for writers, musicians, artists, and readers.
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Some of the products in the list below were sent to us to try. Other products are ones that we purchased ourselves or were given by family members and friends. Know that I will always provide both the pros and cons of each featured product. You are welcome to send any follow-up questions to me via twitter (I’m @stephsheaffer).