If you’re looking for a thoughtful, affordable gift for the book lover in your life, a TBR jar is one of the sweetest ideas you can put together.
It’s personal.
It’s creative.
It’s useful.
And it feels like something made with love, not stress.
You don’t need crafting skills or a huge budget.
Just a mason jar, a handful of reading prompts, and a little intention.
Let’s make a gift that feels magical for the reader who already has everything.
What Is a TBR Jar?
A TBR jar is a simple jar filled with slips of paper that help someone choose their next book.
Each slip has a reading prompt, a style of story, a genre twist, or even a specific title.
It turns choosing a book into a fun surprise!
Shake the jar.
Pull a prompt.
Start reading.
It’s charming, useful, and meaningful, which is what makes it such a great gift.
Why a TBR Jar Makes a Perfect Gift
Readers love surprises.
Readers also love order.
A TBR jar gives them both.
It helps with reading slumps, reduces decision fatigue, and makes choosing their next book feel playful instead of overwhelming.
It also works for so many occasions:
- book lover birthdays
- bookworm holidays
- teacher gifts
- reading challenges
- book club swaps
- author friends
- cozy winter gifts
- and even “just because” surprises for someone who loves stories.
Plus, it’s affordable. Easy. Pretty. And surprisingly emotional to receive.
How to Make a TBR Jar Gift
You only need a few things:
- a jar or container
- small slips of paper
- reading prompts
- a little ribbon or label if you want it to look special
Write out your prompts on paper.
Fold them up.
Fill the jar.
Tie a bow or add a cute sticker for finishing touches.
That’s it.
A meaningful gift in minutes.
And if you want to make it extra beautiful, use colored paper, washi tape, or a label that says something sweet like “Open When You’re Ready for Your Next Adventure.”
I once made this as a gift for a friend who’s an author and avid reader.
I used pastel paper and tied a tiny bookmark charm to the jar. It looked adorable, and she absolutely loved it.
What Prompts Should You Use?
You can create your own prompts, but you’ll need around 100–200 to make the jar feel full.
That takes time, creativity, and a lot of ideas.
If you want to skip the brainstorming, I made a set of 400 TBR jar prompts that you can instantly download and print.
They cover genres, moods, settings, tropes, character styles, book features, reading challenges, and fun surprises that keep the jar exciting month after month.
There’s also a blank page included so you can add personal touches or inside jokes.
Ways to Personalize the Gift
Little details make it feel extra special:
- include a bookmark inside the jar
- color-code the prompts by genre
- add one or two small bookish stickers
- pair the jar with a cozy candle or chocolate
- attach a note explaining how to use it
Simple touches go a long way.
When to Give a TBR Jar
This gift fits beautifully into almost any occasion:
- reader birthdays
- bookish holidays
- teacher appreciation gifts
- book club parties
- “Chapter One” birthdays author gifts
- Christmas stocking stuffers
- and cozy winter nights.
Really, anywhere someone would appreciate a gentle nudge toward their next great read.
A TBR jar is one of those rare gifts that feels personal without being complicated.
It’s beautiful, thoughtful, and genuinely useful to anyone who loves books.
Whether you fill it with your own prompts or use the 400 ready-made prompts I created, you’re giving something meaningful.
Something cozy.
Something a book lover will use all year long.
It’s an easy gift that feels like magic.
The bookworm in your life will love them - I promise!