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Personalized Bookmark Gifts I Make for My Book Club Friends Every Year
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items Every holiday season and birthday, I used to panic trying to find something personal for my book club crew that didn't cost a fortune or look generic. After three years of trial and error, I've built a whole system for making custom bookmarks and rea...
Sections
8
Blank Bookmarks and Bases to Customize
Tassels That Actually Look Handmade
Letter Charms and Initial Stamps
Decorative Paper and Cardstock for Custom Bookmarks
Laminating and Finishing Supplies
Reading Accessories to Bundle With Bookmarks
Blank Bookmarks and Bases to Customize
I spent way too long trying to DIY bookmarks from scratch before I realized you can just buy blanks and make them your own. Saved me hours and they look ten times better than my cardboard attempts.
Grab these if you've got a big book club. I personalized all 36 in one afternoon with stamps and stickers, and they looked like they came from a boutique shop.
Blank Bookmarks With Colorful Tassels
Use these as your starting canvas when you want total creative control. I let my kids help decorate a batch for teacher gifts and every single one came out different.
Hygloss Mighty Bright Bookmarks, 100 Ultra White Per
Try these when you want something sturdier than paper. I wood-burned initials into them with a cheap pen tool and my friend literally cried at our December meeting.
Wooden Bookmark Blanks
Keep a few of these on hand for the friend who always loses her bookmark between couch cushions. I added washi tape initials and they snap right onto the page.
BINGLI 6Pack Magnetic Bookmarks Bulk Book Marks
Perfect if you're going for that rustic, earthy vibe. I stamped each one with a different literary quote and tied on colored twine. Took maybe ten minutes per bookmark.
Creatology 30" Brown Corrugated Paper Board, 15 Pack
Switch to these when you want something that feels expensive without the price tag. I attached initial charms and tassels and people thought I ordered them custom online.
OULII 6-Pack Silver Hollow Metal Bookmarks
Snag these if you have a sublimation printer or know someone who does. I printed each friend's favorite book cover on one and the colors came out ridiculously vibrant.
30Pcs Sublimation Blank Bookmarks
Toss these in your craft bin for last-minute gifts. The pre-cut shapes save so much time and they take markers, paint, and stamps really well.
36-Pack, 9 Unique Designs, DIY Bookmark, Gift for Book
Tassels That Actually Look Handmade
The tassel is what takes a bookmark from ‘craft project’ to ‘wait, where did you buy this?’ I've ordered from at least six different brands and these are the ones that don't unravel after a week.
Get this giant pack and you'll never run out. I've been pulling from the same bag for two years and I still have plenty of colors to match any book club theme.
Mandala Crafts 100 Small Multicolor Tassels
Use these when you want that silky, flowy look. They hang perfectly from metal bookmarks and the color range is wild. My friends fight over who gets the emerald green ones.
100 Pieces Tassels,Silky Tassels with Loop
Pair these tiny ones with smaller bookmarks or gift tags. They're delicate but surprisingly tough. I yanked one by accident and it held up fine.
Bookmark Tassels Bulk, 200Pcs Small Tassels Silky
Try these for a more premium feel. Each one looks like it belongs on a graduation cap. I attached them to leather bookmarks for our end-of-year book club celebration.
20pcs Handmade Silky Floss Mini Tiny Craft Tassels
Grab these if you hate threading tassels through tiny holes. The pre-made loop saves so much frustration. I was able to assemble twelve bookmarks in under thirty minutes.
Makhry 20pcs 4.3 Inch Handmade Silky Floss Mini Tiny
Keep these in your desk drawer for spontaneous gift-making. The jewel tones are my favorite. They photograph really well too if you're the type to post your crafts.
Silky Mini Tassels for Handmade Bookmarks
Switch to these after you've dealt with tassels that shed everywhere. The anti-fraying tip actually works. No more silk threads all over my dining table.
60 Sets Kraft Paper Blank Bookmarks with Tassels
Snag these for a vintage, slightly bohemian vibe. They're chunkier than standard tassels and pair perfectly with antique-style metal bookmarks. Book club loved them.
Tim Holtz Assemblage Charms 2/Pkg-Deco Finery
Letter Charms and Initial Stamps
The initial is what makes people feel like you spent hours on their gift instead of twenty minutes. I've tried engraving, stamping, and charm-dangling. All three work, but some are way easier than others.
Grab the whole alphabet so you're covered no matter who joins book club next. The gold finish looks classy against dark tassels and I just loop them through with a jump ring.
52 Pcs/2 Sets Alphabet Charms Letter Charms A-Z Light
Use these for a cooler-toned look. They pair perfectly with navy and gray tassels. My friend Sarah wears hers on a necklace now because she liked it that much.
Sterling Silver Plated E Letter
Try a monogram stamp if you want to mark paper bookmarks fast. I stamped thirty in one sitting and the ink didn't smudge once after it dried for about sixty seconds.
Printtoo Personalized Self Inking Custom Favor Stamp
Keep these around for group crafting nights. Everyone can stamp their own initial and it becomes a whole activity instead of just a gift exchange.
Colorations Alphabet Dough Stampers Set
Perfect for the friend who likes a little sparkle with her reading. The rhinestones catch light really nicely and they're small enough to not weigh down the bookmark.
Bead Landing Metal Letter Charms, 12 Pack
Bring out the wax seal for holiday bookmarks. It takes practice but once you get the pressure right, each initial looks like it came from a Victorian library.
Elegant Wax Sealing Kit for Letters
Pair these with an ink pad for a hand-lettered look without actually needing good handwriting. I have terrible penmanship and these made me look like a calligrapher.
American Crafts 346414 Kelly Creates Traceable Quotes 3
Toss these in your craft box for a classic stamped look. The wooden handles give good grip and the letters press evenly. No more half-printed initials.
Stamp Duty
Decorative Paper and Cardstock for Custom Bookmarks
Plain white bookmarks are fine, but patterned cardstock takes them from ‘homemade’ to ‘did you actually make this yourself?’ My friends stopped believing me until I showed them the process.
Grab the jewel tones for fall and winter book club meetings. The deep plum and forest green look incredible with gold tassels. Sturdy enough to survive inside a purse too.
Recollections Cardstock Paper, Essentials 20 Colors
Use these when you need a pop of color. I cut them into bookmark strips and layered them for a two-tone effect. The paper is thick enough that it doesn't bend.
Astrobrights, Color Cardstock, 8.5"x11", Happy Assortment
Try this variety pack when you can't commit to one color scheme. I've used it for three different book club themes and always found something that worked.
Hello Hobby Cardstock Premium Neutrals Smooth- 12 x 12
Perfect for spring birthdays. The botanical prints are subtle enough that stamped initials still show up clearly. My friend framed hers instead of using it as a bookmark.
DCWV Single-Sided Cardstock Stack 12"X12"
Snag this for a literary, old-world feel. I cut strips from the map-print pages and they look like something you'd find tucked inside a used bookshop novel.
24 Sheets 12x12 Scrapbook Paper Pads Double Sided
Switch to this heavier paper when you want bookmarks that feel almost like fabric. The texture holds ink beautifully and it comes in muted colors that look sophisticated.
Canson Mi Teintes Drawing Papers
Keep this pad handy for watercolor bookmark experiments. I painted loose florals on strips and added initials after they dried. Messy but gorgeous results.
Strathmore, Toned Mixed Media Paper Pad, 9"x12"
Bring out the metallic cardstock for holiday gifts. The shimmer is subtle, not craft-store glittery. Cut it into bookmarks and people will swear you bought them somewhere fancy.
Neenah Creative Collection Specialty Cardstock
Laminating and Finishing Supplies
Nothing worse than spending an hour on a bookmark and watching it fall apart after two chapters. I ruined a whole batch before I started laminating and sealing everything properly.
Grab these for the easiest laminating method that exists. No machine needed. I just peel, stick, press, and trim. My bookmarks survive coffee spills now.
Scotch, Self-Sealing Laminating Pouches, 25 Count
Use these with a laminator if you're making bookmarks in bulk. I ran through fifty in one evening and every single one came out smooth and bubble-free.
Scotch, Thermal Laminating Pouches, 8.5" x 11", 3 mil
Try a coat of this on paper bookmarks when you want protection without the plastic look. It dries invisible and adds just enough stiffness to keep the bookmark from curling.
Mod Podge, Matte Finish, 16 fl oz
Keep this close for attaching charms and tassels. It dries clear, holds strong, and doesn't leave those gross white residue marks. Learned that lesson with hot glue.
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue 4 fl oz
Ditch the scissors and use this for clean, straight cuts every time. My bookmarks went from ‘clearly handmade’ to ‘professionally cut’ the day I started using this trimmer.
Fiskars SureCut Supercut 12-Inch Paper Trimmer, Gray
Perfect for layering paper without the mess of liquid glue. I run a strip on the back, press the layers together, and it bonds instantly. No drying time, no wrinkles.
3M Advanced Tape Glider General Purpose Refill
Snag one of these to round your bookmark corners. It's a tiny detail but it makes everything look polished. Square corners catch on pages and look homemade.
Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper Tool-Rounded, .25" & .5"
Switch to this for precision gluing on small embellishments. The fine tip lets you place glue exactly where you want it. No more charm-attaching disasters at midnight.
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, 0.88 Ounce, Single
Reading Accessories to Bundle With Bookmarks
A bookmark by itself is sweet, but pairing it with a reading accessory turns it into a whole gift. I started bundling and now people actually gasp when they open the bag at book club.
Toss this in with a bookmark for the friend who reads in bed after her partner falls asleep. The warm light setting doesn't disturb anyone and the clip holds tight.
Energizer Rechargeable LED Book Light, Clip On Reading
Pair this with a bookmark for the friend who texts the group chat asking ‘what does this word mean’ every other chapter. Small enough to fit in a purse with her current read.
Customer reviews for Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary
Grab this for the book club member who tracks everything. Space for ratings, quotes, and notes. I gave one to myself too and now I actually remember what happened in books I read last year.
The Book Lover's Journal
Try this for the friend who lends books and never gets them back. The checkout cards are hilarious and she can finally guilt people into returning her paperbacks.
Knock Knock Personal Library Kits
Use this for the friend who reads while eating lunch. Holds pages open with one hand so she can eat a sandwich with the other. She told me it changed her lunch breaks forever.
Anchor Book Page Holder Bookmark, Hands Free Reading
Keep this in mind for a bigger gift. I gave this to our book club host along with a custom bookmark and she put it on her reading shelf immediately. Meaningful without being cheesy.
Love of Learning figurine
Snag these for the friend who highlights everything but hates marking up her books. They clip onto specific lines and slide off without leaving a trace. She uses them constantly.
Book Darts 125 Count Tin Brass Bookmarks
Pair a bookmark with this case for the friend who's always digging through her bag looking for her readers. The prints are fun and it actually zips shut so nothing falls out.
Vision Center at Rifle Supercenter
Gift Wrapping and Presentation Ideas
How you wrap the bookmark matters almost as much as the bookmark itself. I used to just hand them over in a plastic bag. Now I spend five extra minutes on presentation and the reaction is completely different.
Grab these kraft bags and tie them with leftover tassel material. The rustic look matches handmade bookmarks perfectly and they're sturdy enough to hold a few extras inside.
Hallmark 5-Pack Medium Gift Bag Bundle (Solid Kraft Brown)
Use these sheer bags for individual bookmarks. Drop one in, pull the drawstring, done. They look like something from a wedding favor table and cost almost nothing per bag.
Cozival Organza Gift Bags, 100-Pack Organza Drawstring
Try wrapping each bookmark in a sheet of tissue paper before placing it in the bag. That extra layer of unwrapping makes the whole thing feel like a real present.
Assorted Colors Gift Tissue Paper Set, 120 Sheets
Tie one of these onto each gift bag with a short note about why you picked that color or initial. Personal touches like this are what make people save the tag too.
G2PLUS Kraft Paper Gift Tags with String
Perfect for sealing bags or boxes with a custom sticker. I printed our book club name on them and stuck one on every gift bag. Took our exchange from casual to coordinated.
Avery® Printable Round Labels, 2", Glossy Clear
Snag the patterned tissue paper for holiday gifts. The library print exists and it's perfect for book lovers. Wrapping a bookmark in book-themed tissue paper is just *chef's kiss*.
Caspari Entertaining Tissue Paper, Pewter, 4 Sheets
Toss a bookmark and a few chocolate truffles into one of these for a sweet little combo gift. Twist-tie the top with ribbon and it looks like a party favor from a fancy event.
Wilton, Clear Treat Bags, 150-Count, Food Grade, 4 x 9.5 in.
Pair each bookmark with a handwritten card telling your friend which book made you think of them. I did this last year and three people told me it was their favorite gift of the season.
American Greetings All Occasion Blank Single Panel Notes
Inspiration Books for Your Next Book Club Pick
Since you're already making bookmarks, why not suggest the next read too? I started pairing custom bookmarks with my book nominations and suddenly everyone votes for my picks. Coincidence? Probably not.
Grab this for a book club that loves big questions without heavy philosophy. We read it in January and spent two hours debating what we'd change about our own lives. Nobody wanted to leave.
Matt Haig, The Midnight Library, Novel, Paperback, English
Use this pick for a group that needs a laugh between heavier reads. It's sharp, funny, and every woman in my club was texting quotes to her coworkers before we even met to discuss it.
Bonnie Garmus: Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel (Hardcover)
Try this for the meeting where you want everyone arguing about friendship versus love. We were split right down the middle and it made for the loudest discussion we've ever had.
Gabrielle Zevin, Novel, Tomorrow
Perfect for the history lover in your group. Based on a true story and wild enough that half my club Googled the real person before we finished the first chapter.
The Personal Librarian: a GMA Book Club Pick (Paperback)
Pair this with a colorful bookmark and give it to the friend who needs something warm and hopeful. She texted me at 1am saying she was crying happy tears and couldn't stop reading.
Customer reviews for House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ
Snag this for a book club that's open to unusual narrators. A giant Pacific octopus tells part of the story and somehow it works. Our skeptic finished it in two days.
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel (Paperback) - Books
Keep this one ready for the fantasy-curious reader who doesn't usually go for that genre. It's literary enough to satisfy the snobs and magical enough to hook everyone else.
Pre-Owned The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V E
Toss this into rotation when your club needs a palate cleanser. It's a rom-com about book people and everyone will see themselves in at least one character. Light, fast, and satisfying.
Emily Henry, Book Lovers Paperback, ISBN 9780593334836