Unique Christmas Gifts for Kids Who Love Stories
Every December the toy pile gets bigger, and by January half of it is forgotten. If the kid on your list loves stories, there is a better kind of gift: one they will open on Christmas morning and keep rereading for years.
Here are our favorite gift ideas for kids who love stories, from stocking stuffers to the big gift under the tree.
1. A book they write themselves
Every one of these was written by a kid.
The most unique gift for a young storyteller is the chance to become a published author. Your child tells us their story, we illustrate every page, and they get a real printed picture book with their name on the cover.
You do not need the story ready by Christmas. With Gift a Book, the gift card arrives by email right away and never expires, so your young author can start their book whenever they are ready.
Want something to wrap? Print a free gift certificate that shows exactly which book you are giving and tuck it in a card or under the tree. Choose the size that fits your young author:
- Little Story, 12 pages: a great first book for ages 4 to 6
- Classic Story, 24 pages: room for a bigger adventure, in paperback or keepsake hardcover
- Deluxe Story, 32 pages: for young authors with a lot to say
2. Books written by other kids
Kids love reading stories by other kids. Every book on our Bookshelf was dreamed up by a young author, from a unicorn rider on a rainbow to a monkey with stage fright. Each one is a real printed picture book, and part of every copy goes to the young author's family.
It is also a sneaky way to inspire your own kid. After reading a book by someone their age, many kids decide to write one too.
3. Stocking stuffers that last
Every book on our Bookshelf also comes as a printable PDF. Print it at home, fold it, staple it, and it becomes a little booklet that fits right in a stocking.
For a free extra, print our drawing pages and roll them up with a few markers. It is an open invitation to start their own book on Christmas afternoon.
4. A gift for the kid who would rather draw
A young author's crayon villain, and the same character illustrated for his book.
Some kids would rather draw the whole thing. We can publish the book they drew themselves, exactly as they made it, crayon lines and all, as a printed paperback or a print at home PDF. See As Drawn books
For more ideas for young artists, see our guide to gifts for kids who love to draw.
Quick picks
- For the stocking: a printable Bookshelf book or an As Drawn home print PDF
- Under the tree: a Bookshelf paperback or hardcover, or a printed As Drawn book
- The big gift: a book they write themselves with Gift a Book
Christmas timing
- A new book written by your child: order by December 1 to have it in time for Christmas. You will see a proof within 7 days of sending the story, and printing and shipping usually take 1 to 2 weeks.
- Bookshelf books: they are already written, but each copy is printed when you order, so allow 1 to 2 weeks for printing and shipping.
- Last minute: Gift a Book and printable PDFs arrive by email, so they work right up to Christmas Eve.
Common questions
What if my child has not written a story yet?
That is the whole idea behind Gift a Book. They open the gift on Christmas, then plan their story with our free story builder whenever they are ready.
Does the gift card expire?
No. There is no rush and no expiration date.
Can grandparents and relatives order copies?
Yes. Once the book is finished, family and friends can order their own copies, and the young author can earn a royalty on each one.
Do you need photos of my child?
Never. Characters are described in words or drawn by your child.
This year, give the kid who loves stories a story of their own.
More ideas: Unique Gifts for Kids Ages 4 to 10 Who Love Stories and How to Turn Your Child's Story Into a Real Picture Book.