DIY Gift for Book Lovers

Do you have a reader in your life? This fun DIY gift for book lovers is perfect for anyone in your life who loves books! Also, if you have missed any of the Craft Lightning fun this week, we have been sharing holiday crafts that take 15 minutes or less to make. You can catch up with day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 4!

For more simple arts and crafts ideas to do at home, be sure to stick around and explore the website! This list of handmade gifts for adults is perfect for Christmas and birthdays!

This post was originally published in 2015. It has been updated in 2024 to include instructions to use the Print then Cut feature on a Cricut machine.

DIY Gift in a Jar for a Book Lovers

Looking for an easy craft idea to make gifts for the book lovers in your life? There are so many great ideas for gifts with homemade arts and crafts! This gift idea is perfect for both kids and adults–just make sure to supervise!

Craft ideas with paper are simple, cost-effective, and a wonderful way to get creative at home. Impress the book lover in your life with their very own jar filled with cozy book accessories! If you need some DIY gift ideas for Christmas, I have you covered!

Supplies Needed

• Printable labels (I used gold) or make your own (file below)
• Postcard blanks (or make your own with cardstock)
• Green Quart Mason Jar (wide mouth is best)
• Cricut machine (one that can do Print then Cut)
• Twine
• Scoring stylus or Scoring wheel (if using a Cricut)
• Old book (or vintage sheet music)
• Printable sticker paper or printable vinyl (if using a Cricut)
• Tape
• Hole Punch
• Staples and stapler
• Free printable files (link below)
• Other Gift Items: These can include an Amazon gift card, small reading light, bookmarks, snacks, hot chocolate mix, tea bags, pen, small notebook, etc. There are so many great options!

Note: Get creative and paint the jar if you would like or even fill it up with battery-powered twinkle lights for extra charm!

How to Put Together Your DIY Gift for Book Lovers

DIY projects at home can be so much fun! The book enthusiast in your life will love the thought and care you put into this gift for them. Use this jar as a stocking stuffer or surprise a teacher or librarian in your life!

Step 1 – Download files

First, you will need to download your free files. You can do that by signing up for our email list below. The file will be sent to your email with both label files in a zip file. Just unzip the file to access these designs. Please note that these are for personal use only. Please contact me if you have issues downloading or need commercial use files.

Step 2 – Make labels

To use the Print then Cut feature on your Cricut, you’ll need to upload the png files into Cricut Design Space. If you are new to Cricut or need a refresher on doing this, I have a video that explains it all.

Once you have the bookplate on your canvas, you can size it however you’d like. If you want to keep the bookplate the color of your sticker paper or printable vinyl, that is fine! Just click Make and choose how many stickers you’d like.

To customize the background, add an oval from the Shapes options and then size it behind the image. You can make the background any color you’d like. To use a pattern, take your oval and change the Operation to Print then Cut. This will allow you to choose a pattern from the panel where you select your colors.

If you want to personalize these for your recipient, add text to the bookplate and add their name. This is such a special way to let them know that you made this just for them.

Once you have your bookplate the way you want it, select all of your layers and make sure you click Flatten. This will make your book plate a Print then Cut item. I was able to adjust the number of copies and fit nine stickers on one page.

Then click continue to send your file to print. Once finished printing, load the sheet on a cutting mat to finish them with your Cricut.

If you are using the precut labels, start by printing the bookplate labels onto the OL1186 labels. Remove the surround after printing then cut into a manageable size for inserting into the jar.

Step 3 – Create gift tag

We are going to continue using our Cricut to make the gift tags for this DIY gift for book lovers. Using the gift tag file and free shapes from Cricut Design Space, we are going to make our folded tag.

Start by adding a square to your canvas and then resize it – I made my rectangle 6 x 4. Take the line shape (which should be a score line, if it’s not, just change that in under Operations) and place it in the middle of the rectangle, as pictured below.

I then figured I’d save myself finding my hole punch and added two small holes next to the score line. When this is finished, I’ll have a foldable card with holes ready to add twine or ribbon to attach my gift tag.

Now that we have the image on the card with our added holes, select both and choose flatten. This will make your card a Print the Cut item. Then select the flattened item and the score line, and click Attach. Now you are ready to click Make. I was able to fit two gift tags on one page – these will print and then your Cricut will cut and score these book lover gift tags.

You can also print these gift tags onto the OL423 postcards. These cards are perforated which makes it easy to make these with your printer.

Just tear the labels into four separate cards like this:

Then fold, punch a hole, and write a sentiment on the inside to your book lover. Write anything you would like such as your thoughts, a line from a favorite author, etc. Make it sweet and thoughtful!

Step 4

Add the gift items to the jar and tie the homemade gift tag to the top of the jar with the twine. It doesn’t end here. Keep reading below for an extra WOW factor!

Step 5

Take some vintage sheet music or old paper and make a paper bow for the top. You can use any old book you have on hand. I thought I would make a short video on how to make this great bow. Trust me….it is easy and quick to make!

Watch the video below on how to make the homemade paper bow.

Great right? I love this idea! You can of course use this idea with any paper so bookmark this for the future!

Step 6

Finally, tape or glue the bow to the top of your mason jar. That’s it! Isn’t this gift in a jar adorable?

How to Use

This gift is great for giving this holiday season. Grab a jar and get started on this idea today. Any book lover will love getting this as a gift! Do you have a teacher or librarian on your gift list?

You can also make several of these jars for thank you gifts at events or birthday parties, baby showers, etc. This arts and craft jar idea is also perfect as a Father’s Day gift! If you’re curious about what to get then men in your life, impress them with this unisex jar!

Our features for today are going to knock your socks off! Who is ready for some quick and easy holiday craft ideas? Me too! One Artsy Mama is kicking things off with this adorable reindeer food ornament.

Artistic Endeavors is sharing how to make this fun snowman snow ornament.

I am in love with these adorable succulents in a jar from Happy Go Lucky.

Whip up a batch of this peppermint sugar scrub from Mom Off Track for gifts this holiday season.

Next is a fun emergency kit bag from My Craftily Ever After that would make a great gift.

Jennifer Priest is sharing how to make placemats, napkin rings, and more for her amazing table setting!

Our guest co-hostess this month is Aunt Peaches and she is turning leftover art into great Christmas ornaments. I love that you can do this with art from your kids!

Carolina from 30 Minute Crafts actually broke out the glitter! She is sharing how to make these glittered pinecone earrings!

Don’t miss any of the Craft Lightning fun by following along with our quick and easy crafts Pinterest board.

Like This Arts and Craft Idea? Be Sure to Click on the Ideas Below for More Inspiration!

• Valentine’s Jar Hot Chocolate Gift Idea
• Watercolor Mason Jar Vases
• Soup in a Jar
• Free Printable Tags for the Holidays
• Summer Craft Ideas using Mason Jars