Christmas is fast approaching and for anyone who would like to gift an affordable thoughtful present that gives a little back, here are three ways to support the work of Liverpool-based national charity The Reader.
Treat someone to a the new 12-month Calderstones Membership
Launched this week, let a loved one or friend enjoy exclusive benefits at The Reader for a year with a new Calderstones Membership for £25 and help fund the charity’s work. It includes 10% discount off food and drinks at the cafes, event tickets, Storybarn events, the Ice Cream Parlour and books at The Reader Bookshop, as well as exclusive priority booking for selected events.
Buy online here
Buy a book from one of Liverpool’s best loved indie bookshops
The Reader Bookshop is located onsite at Calderstones Park and is one of the charity’s social enterprises.
It has a wide range of literature for adults and children, Christmas cards and locally produced gifts by independent makers.
Every book sold is for a good cause – with profits gifted to the charity’s Shared Reading projects across the UK.
Jamie Barton, Bookshop & Literary Activity Manager at The Reader, said:
“There are definitely two standout picture books for children this Christmas. Firstly, An Odd Dog Christmas by Rob Biddulph, a gloriously festive illustrated story about the real meaning of Christmas, and it is linked to our Christmas Story Trail at Calderstones Park.
“We were also visited by the brilliant author Jarvis a couple of weeks back, where he introduced his new book Mr Santa and this one is already becoming a firm favourite.
“For adults we’d recommend a number of brilliant poetry anthologies published by Batsford Books, including A Poem to Read Aloud Every Day of the Year, edited by Liz Ison. It’s a truly brilliant collection that will see your loved ones through 2025 with inspiring and thought-provoking selections.
“Our bestselling fiction for adults in the run up to Christmas has been Claire Keegan’s works, Foster and Small Things Like These – of which a new film has just been released in cinemas! Better yet, Faber & Faber have just republished two beautiful hardback editions of these titles, which make them even more perfect for gifting!
“Also, we have Our A Little, Aloud anthologies in stock, which are specially designed to be read aloud with loved ones – whether you’re visiting someone in hospital, inspiring a little one to read more or devoting some time to a significant other.”
During winter The Reader Bookshop is open 10am – 4pm, seven days a day.
Buy online here.
Gift an experience
Now tickets for The Reader’s Winter 2025 programme are on sale, simply treat the cultural connoisseur in your life to an extra special event.
Highlights include an indulgent three-course Burns Night dinner paired with hand-selected whiskeys in the Grade II listed Mansion House, (Friday 24 January), £60, or a fast and furious Burns Night Ceilidh(Saturday 25 January) with a hearty Scottish stew and live music from traditional Liverpudlian Cèilidh band The Saltcutters, £25.
For keen beginner gardeners there is a 10-week Gardening Design Course with experts at Estuary Botanics starting on February 27, £240, where they will learn how to create a stunning garden that thrives all year round. It will cover the process of designing a community of plants that complement each other throughout the year as well as how to organise garden spaces, discover the interplay of colours, textures, and shapes, and creating planting schemes.
There are events to suit all budgets and all ages. Buying a ticket is also a great way to support The Reader as all proceeds go towards its vital charity work.
For more gift experience ideas buy here.
