7 Stocking Stuffers for Poets: The 2022 Read Poetry Gift Guide
It can be difficult to shop for readers and writers. If you’re looking for something a little more creative than a bookstore gift card, these ideas pack literary charm and usefulness.
1. A copy of The Best American Poetry 2022, edited by David Lehman and Matthew Zapruder
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Picking out the perfect poetry collection for the reader in your life can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know their poetic preferences. The annual Best American Poetry series offers the perfect solution, as it brings together some of the top poems published within the last year. The anthology includes both established and debut poets, as well as a blend of formal poetry and free verse.
For more book recs, check out our roundup of 2023 collections here.
2. A cozy sweatshirt from Inkwell Threads
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Poets love to bundle up, and the chilly winter months after the holidays offer the ideal opportunity to do so. Woman-owned small business Inkwell Threads creates cute and cozy sweatshirts inspired by literary movements, favorite fictional trends, book-fueled feminism, and more. The bright colors, whimsical illustrations, and bookish slogans will make it easy for the poet in your life to wear their love for books on their sleeves.
3. The Rumpus Poetry Book Club subscription
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The Rumpus literary magazine has long curated some of the most evocative, vivid, and promising poetry, from Tracy K. Smith to Ilya Kaminsky and more. Their book club, which mails participants the chosen book and invites them to participate in an online discussion, has continually selected innovative and risk-taking collections that later go on to top bestseller lists and win awards. Members of The Rumpus Book Club can expect a monthly read worth in-depth discussion and analysis.
4. Banned Books tee from RAYGUN
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Many important and boundary-breaking poetry collections have been banned throughout history, an issue that librarians, educators, and anti-censorship advocates continue to speak out about. Readers can celebrate the courageousness and significance of banned books by representing titles like Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give on RAYGUN’s bold, screen-printed shirt. Some proceeds benefit ACLU chapters and U.S. public libraries.
5. A Libro.fm audiobook membership
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Audiobooks continue to explode in popularity, and are especially appreciated by poetry lovers for their sense of lyricism and rhythm. A Libro.fm membership lets shoppers support independent bookstores with every audiobook purchase.
6. A workshop from The Loft Literary Center, Brooklyn Poets, or a local organization
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Give your favorite poet the gift of expanding their literary knowledge with a workshop or class. Leading organizations like The Loft Literary Center and Brooklyn Poets offer virtual workshops with award-winning writers—regular instructors include Rosebud Ben-Oni, Vanessa Ramos, and more. If your poet prefers the in-person experience, seek out a workshop or class in their city.
7. Lost Poet wine
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Poetry and wine go together perfectly—so much so that we even wrote a round-up of wine and poetry pairings. Lost Poet, the wine created by poet Atticus, takes this natural connection one step forward. Buy your favorite poet a bottle of their Californian red wine blend to enjoy with their nightly reading.
Need more ideas? Check out last year’s holiday gift guide, which includes even more presents to help poets get inspired, grow their reading list, and unplug. Happy shopping—and happy holidays from Read Poetry!
