The Best Stocking Stuffers for Readers in 2023

The holidays are upon us, and if you celebrate by exchanging gifts, then it’s likely you’re already in the thick of your holiday shopping. (Godspeed.) One fun tradition I’ve always enjoyed is a stocking exchange — which is really weird to think about if you have to explain it to someone who’s never exchanged gifts in stockings. Typically, these are small things like edible treats and self-care items that are placed in a stocking for the recipient. Some families may have different traditions surrounding who goes into a stocking. To this day, my parents always give me chocolate, gum, and Chapstick in my stocking. But it can also contain lots of fun surprises — the only requirement is that they have to be goodies small enough to fit in a stocking!

Obviously, if you have a book lover on your gifting list, buying them books and book gift cards is always appreciated, but stuffing their stocking gives you a chance to indulge in little goodies they might not buy for themselves (because they’re too busy buying books, wink wink). This round-up of fun little bookish and book-adjacent goodies will fit in any stocking and will be sure to bring a smile to any book lover’s face! And if you don’t have a stocking or are in the market for a new one, scroll to the end for a fun option!

Monogram Bookshelf Ornament ($43): This is cute, bookish, and festive! I love that you can customize it to the recipient (all letters are available).

Customizable Book Earrings ($9): Get your recipient’s favorite book(s) as earrings! This shop allows you to pick the book cover, so it’s a thoughtful and stylish gift.

Bookish Badge Reel ($9): If your recipient has a job that requires them to have an ID badge, this reel shows off their bookish bent! Plus, it’s an incredibly useful goodie if you’re looking to add value to your gifting this holiday season.

A badge reel that is an open book with the words "We lose ourselves in books, we find ourselves there too."

Reading Log Bookmark ($3): This is a fun way to keep track of your place and track your reading! You can gift just one or a whole pack!

Three bookmarks that have lines for tracking your title, start date, end date, and a star rating.

Thumb Book Page Holder ($7): These little doodads are really convenient and handy, especially for paperbacks!

Set of four book page thumb holder in wood grain, turquoise, orange, and lavender

Penguin Classic Joke Matches ($25): If you’re gifting candles this holiday season, these funny matches make a great addition to the stocking! (Note the fart puns, in case your recipient isn’t into that kind of humor!)

A glass bowl full of matchboxes in the design of Penguin Classics with gag titles

Library Card Socks ($15): Socks are a staple of stocking stuffers, but these library-themed ones put the fun in functional!

Parchment colored socks with library card due date lines and colorful date stamps

Bookish Gel Pens ($13): These fabulous pens are perfect companions to the reading tracking bookmarks above!

three pens in pink, lavender, and purple that say, "Set lost in the pages," "books, coffee, quiet" and "Just one more chapter"

Annotation Bookmarks ($11): Or these! Does your reader like to annotate the heck out of books? These handy bookmarks make it easy to flag things!

Bookmarks with an array of colorful flags

TBR Deck ($17): Not sure what to read next? Let this TBR deck help you out!

A set of pink cards with black writing that suggests types of books and tropes to try

Book Soap ($6): Get bookish in the bathroom! These make such cute gifts.

four bars of soap in the shape of leather-bound books

Anne of Green Gables Ornament ($15): This is a lovely ornament and a lovely sentiment to add to your tree.

a round ceramic ornament with a flower border and the quote "Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."

Bookish Motel Keychain ($15): Everyone appreciates a good, punny keychain!

A set of various colored motel keychains with the words "I closed my book to be here" and "hot girls read smut"

From the Library Of Book Stamp ($10): This is such a cute way to personalize your book collection!

a wooden handled circular stamp that says "From the library of XXX" and has an open book with flowers growing from it.

Bookshop Stocking ($20): Don’t have a stocking? Then make sure you snatch up this adorable bookish one and manifest all of the bookish goodies of your dream!