Many independent bookstores organize book collections to brighten the holidays for others. Please add more stores and their giving campaigns in the comments section.
Beach Books, Seaside, OR:
“At Beach Books we get wish lists from the four Seaside area schools. These ‘books’ are hung on our tree and customers get a 20% discount on a book chosen for the school and a 20% discount for one for themselves.”
BookPeople of Moscow, Moscow, ID:
“We have a giving tree at Book People of Moscow! The tags come from Christmas for Kids and have information about child’s age, gender, interests in books. We set up the tree on Black Friday and the organization comes to pick up wrapped books on Dec. 16. Whatever customers don’t buy, we donate at the end, but usually the whole thing is done by customers.”
Herringbone Bookstore, Redmond, OR:
“Our Giving Tree is up! Come make a young reader’s holiday bright by purchasing a book for a child in the SMART program. You’ll receive 20 percent off the purchase of the book, and you’ll also be entered in a raffle to win a new copy of the Pop-up Guide to Hogwarts!”
The Neverending Bookshop, Edmonds, WA:
Owner Annie Carl organizes a partnership with other area stores every year. This year’s other participants are Edmonds Bookshop, Third Place Books, and Queen Anne Book Company. All stores collect new books for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA:
“This year we have a new artificial tree with lights, but we reuse the same beautiful, original giving tags handmade by Annie. People have been very generous– we already have two boxes of books to give, with more added every day. QABC also did a special after-hours shopping event donating 10% of the event’s sales to Mary’s Place, a local shelter for women and children.”
Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA:
“We do a book stack tree, which requires zero water or maintenance and fits on a countertop. Customers love it!”
Secret Garden Books, Seattle, WA:
It’s book elf season. Purchase a book at 20% off to make an underprivileged kid’s holiday book wish come true.
Waucoma Bookstore, Hood River, OR:
“We just started Holiday Giving Lights this year. We don’t have room for a tree, so we hung up lights on our front counter and attached the tags to them. We asked local school librarians for their wish lists.”
Most stores would be happy to take a donation over the phone! If there isn’t an organized gift drive, stores usually know a school librarian who would appreciate a gift card. In the comments, please share some other ways to give the joy of books!