Holiday Gift Guide: 9 Presents for Jane Austen Lovers (That You Might Want to Keep)
The lover of all things Austen has never had a shortage of gifts options. In honor of JA’s recent 241st birthday on December 16th—ah, the golden years—we’ve assembled a list of some of the best Austen-inspired gifts out there, from spin-off novels to socks, to delight the Jane-obsessed loved one in your life.
(Related: 7 Gifts Under $30 To Delight The Book Lover In Your Life)
1. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet and The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet
The hugely popular, Emmy-award winning “Lizzie Bennet Diaries” web series is a modern reinterpretation of Austen’s classic, Pride & Prejudice. The genius minds behind the series, Kate Rorick and Bernie Su, have extended the story from Youtube and committed it to the page. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet sees our lovable heroin Lizzie as a twenty-four-year-old post-grad, living a life that many post-grads are used to in this day and age: dealing with student debt, getting mixed up with that crazy Darcy kid, and recording every moment down in her diary, of course.
The second book follows, of course, her younger sister Lydia. In P&P, Lydia is fearless and headstrong, and these are exactly the qualities we see in her contemporary counterpart, whose signature struggle is keeping her head up in the midst of a sex tape scandal with that rapscallion, George Wickham. What would Mr. Collins say?
Get Lizzie: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound
Get Lydia: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound
2. Jane Austen-Inspired Coffee Mug
What better vessel for a nice cup of strong British tea, and curling up by the fire for a day of reading, eating, and Yule log-watching on the boob tube? With this mug, you’re in for a day of leisure that Mrs. Bennett would most assuredly envy. You’re also donating to PBS, without whom we would not have the Great British Bake-Off. Can you imagine such a woeful world?
Get it: PBS
3. Austen-esque PJs for Wintry Eves
To complete the picturesque scene of fireplace, tea, cat, yule log, and bliss, snuggle up with some comfy pajamas that lets every Tinder match know: Bingleys and Wickhams to the left; you’re holding out for your Darcy.
Get it: Cafepress
4. Austenarian Luggage for Readers on the Go
Or maybe you’re jet-setting for the holidays, or you’re going stir-crazy from the cookies and nog (how?). If so, be sure to tote along these Austen-specific travel necessities, a passport cover and luggage tag. Indubitably, you shall put all those other plain black suitcases at baggage claim to shame.
Get it: Amazon
5. What Would Jane Do?: Quips and Wisdom from Jane Austen by Potter Style
All the most necessary bon mots and ribald gibes from Ms. Austen herself, right at your fingertips and perfect for almost any situation. To wit:
“One can never have too large a part.” —Pride and Prejudice
“As for admiration, it was always very welcome when it came, but she did not depend on it.” —Northanger Abbey
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” —Sense and Sensibility
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound
6. An Enviable, Leather-Bound Book Bag
Hubba hubba, momma in trubba.
This adorable handbag made from an actual book is totally gorgeous and enviable, perfect for keeping your hopes and dreams and chapstick. There are also purses made of books from Stephen King, Shel Silverstein, and JRR Tolkien. Can’t decide on which one? TREAT YOSELF.
Get it: Etsy
7. An Ethereal Scarf*
The must-have accessory for hiking the Heath: this lovely shawl. Drape on your delicate, patrician soldiers and entertain viable, virile young suitors. Wrap it around your Regency curls and introspectively eat a biscuit in the foyer. Fold it lengthwise and tease the cat as you await your father’s return from London; are those the clippity-clops of dappled mares? Reader, I married the scarf.
*dreamy lighting not included
Get it: Etsy
8. A Dress Straight out of the Regency Era
Not for the weak of heart or RPG-averse… why not go to the grocery store or take the train in an authentic Regency-style dress? Pair with flawless long gloves and a delicate strand of pearls to really freak out the bank teller, or your mom. She’s raised a true weirdo.
Get it: Etsy
9. On-Brand Socks
Keep your Austen obsession on the DL with these snuggly socks. No one will be able to tell that you’ve got Jane on the brain, unless you pull up your pantsuit and flash them a ladylike peek of ankle. Most indecorous!