Christmas Gifts for the Literature Lover

A Festive Trip Inside

THIS IS NOT A PAID FOR POST.

I BUY ITEMS WITH MY OWN MONEY ENSURING THAT I CAN GIVE AN #HONESTREVIEW.

As the festive season seems to be fast approaching, we are all starting to think of gift ideas for our family and friends. I know how easy it is to go to one of the larger online retailers and buy all my gifts from them. However, after the past two years, I think it is more important than ever to support small businesses. Frequently such businesses tend to offer something more suited to the individual, which shows thought has gone into the gift. One small business which I and my husband go back to time and again for unique gifts is The Crow Emporium. I wanted to show you some of the lovely gifts you can purchase.

This year the Crow Emporium has launched its very own press. The idea was to create illustrated versions of classic books, reminiscent of the era when the aesthetics of a book were just as important as its contents. The first book to be released is a cloth bound, illustrated version of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. With illustrations by artist and writer, Christina Rauh Fishburne, and cover and alphabet by Kirsty MacLennan, the book really is a beauty to behold. In addition, the end papers of the book have an eye-catching design created by Maria Brunetti, based upon the blue and white dress Charlotte Brontë supposedly wore at the famous dinner held in her honour at the home of her literary hero, William Makepeace Thackeray on 12^th June 1850. It is such an exquisite design that I have been thinking about using it as wallpaper in my study.

The next illustrated book to be released is the Juvenilia of all three Brontë sisters and their brother, Branwell. “Tales from the Genii” features excerpts from the imaginary worlds of Glass Town, Angria and Gondal. Edited by Nicola Friar, author of the very popular, Brontë Babe Blog, the book will also feature more paintings by Christina Rauh Fishburne.

Jewellery

If you are on the lookout for a secret Santa gift or a stocking filler, then literary brooches are a great idea. My favourite has to be the Agatha Christie brooch, a tribute to the famous amateur detective, Miss Marple in the form of a sparkling cloche hat.

These unique Victorian style metal antique brooches not only look good, but they are made from books saved from pulping. You can choose from Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.

Many of us are still reluctant to book holidays overseas but these literary maps could be a wonderful way to surprise someone at Christmas, with the promise of a future tour around some of the finest literary and musical houses in Britain and Ireland. You could give them one of these illustrated maps in a frame and plan your trip for next year.

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If you have someone to buy for and you just cannot think what to buy them, these handmade literary blossom frames from Bluebell Blossoms of Haworth, might be something to consider. Each golden edged glass frame contains different flowers from Haworth including heather from the moors to bluebells which have been homegrown in the village lived in by the Brontë family. They are something to hang in your home all year round. There are other literary frames featuring quotes and or images from Matilda, Alice in Wonderland and Shakespeare.

Every year there is one gift that I can be assured that my daughter will like and that is a notebook. In fact who does not like to receive a lovely notebook for Christmas? The Crow Emporium has a wide range of notebooks from women in literature jotters through to fairy tale themed notebooks and ‘Women who wrote their own story’ and a literary themed ‘women who rule the words.’