How to Make a Book Box Gift for Someone Who Loves Reading

My Mom Found the Perfect Way to Get Me Out of a Reading Rut

Just when I think my mom can't amaze me anymore, she goes and does something like this.

I love to read, but lately, I've been in a bit of a reading rut. And if you're a reader, you know how hard it can be to get out of one.

It's summer, then it's fall, and you want to spend your free time outside enjoying the weather. Then, when you finally get inside, you're either watching TV or, let's be honest, sleeping.

Well, I decided I wanted to get back into reading this October. There's just something about reading a good thriller or spooky book that puts me in the Halloween mood. Plus, I always feel a little more productive when I spend my free time reading instead of staring at a screen.

The funny thing is, I'm actually the one who got my mom back into reading. I introduced her to Freida McFadden, who writes some pretty incredible psychological thrillers. I've read more than 15 of her books myself, but apparently, not even a Freida McFadden thriller could pull me out of this reading rut.

That's when my mom decided to get creative.

My Mom Made Me a Book Box

My mom recently finished reading Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden and decided she wanted me to read it next. But instead of just handing me the book, she came up with a way to make the entire reading experience a little more exciting.

She made me a book box!

Now, if you've never heard of a book box, let me explain because I thought this was such a fun idea.

Inside the box were six individually wrapped gifts, each with a different page number written on it. Every gift was connected to something that happened in the story.

Here's how it works. You start reading the book, and when you reach one of the page numbers written on a present, you stop and unwrap that gift. Then, you continue reading to discover why your mom just gave you something like a box of brownie mix.

Yes, brownie mix. You'll understand that one if you read the book!

The best part is that you have no idea what you're about to unwrap or how it's going to connect to the story.

It Actually Worked!

I don't think I've finished a book that quickly in a while.

I loved the idea behind the book box, and I had so much fun seeing how each little gift connected to what I was reading. It gave me something to look forward to as I turned the pages, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see what I would get to open next.

Now I'm going to have a problem when I go back to reading regular books. Someone in the story is going to be eating a Snickers bar, and I'm going to be sitting there wishing I had one to unwrap.

My mom may have created a monster.

How to Make Your Own Book Box

I think this would be such a thoughtful gift for someone who loves to read, especially if they're struggling to get out of a reading rut.

And the best part? You really don't have to spend much money to make one.

Take some advice from Sue, my mom!

Start by reading a book you think someone else would enjoy. As you're reading, pay attention to the little details. Maybe a character mentions a favorite snack, uses a certain product or receives something that plays a role in the story.

Write down those details along with the page numbers where they appear.

Then, pick up a few inexpensive gifts that connect to those moments, wrap them individually and write the corresponding page numbers on the outside. Put everything in a box, decorate it however you'd like, and just like that, you've created your own book box!

You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want. It's really the thought and creativity behind it that make it special.

Now It's My Turn

Of course, after seeing how much thought my mom put into this, I want to make one for her.

Looks like I'll have to find a good book she hasn't read yet, pay close attention to the details and see if I can come up with something just as creative.

I love that something so simple made reading exciting for me again. Sometimes all it takes is a little motivation, a good book and a mom who knows exactly how to make things fun.

So, now I'm curious. Would you make a book box for someone, or would you enjoy receiving one yourself?

Because I absolutely loved mine, and I think my mom might have just started a new tradition.