Jane Austen's World

By Brenda S. Cox

“I have this moment received £5 from kind, beautiful Edward. Fanny has a similar Gift.”—Jane Austen, Letters, Sept. 15-16, 1813

Gifts are a way of showing how much we love and appreciate the special people in our lives. Of course, our tradition of giving gifts at Christmastime goes back to the story of the “wise men from the East” who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Most of us can’t afford to give such precious gifts today, but we can give gifts that fit the interests, joys, and passions of our friends and relations.

Austen mentions gifts multiple times. She, of course, received a gift of a topaz cross and gold chain from her seafaring brother Charles. In Mansfield Park, Fanny Price’s brother William similarly gives his sister “a very pretty amber cross,” a perfect gift for a woman of deep faith. Her cousin Edmund then gives her another gift suited to her style and personality, “a plain gold chain, perfectly simple and neat.” Fanny responds, “This is the only ornament I have ever had a desire to possess. It will exactly suit my cross. They must and shall be worn together.”

Mary Crawford’s gift, an underhanded way of giving Fanny a gift from Henry, does not fit Fanny’s cross. Symbolically, Austen shows, through these gifts, that soon-to-be-clergyman Edmund is the right husband for Fanny, not immoral Henry Crawford.

Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or another holiday or occasion, it’s easy to find gifts for anyone in your life who loves Jane Austen. Or who you think might love Jane Austen, given the chance. (Or perhaps you want a gift for yourself since, as Vic pointed out to me, you might receive a gift card!) Consider what other interests the person has, and choose something specifically for her or him! I’ll just list a few favorites in each category, and give you links to search for more options.

Let’s shop!

Where To Buy Jane Austen-related Gifts

In the US, you might start by searching Jane Austen Books for whatever type of gift you want.

In the UK, start with the Jane Austen Centre and Jane Austen’s House.

They all have wonderful gifts, and will also ship internationally (though it’s a little too late to do that for this Christmas, probably!). Due to UK postal strikes, anything shipped from the UK may be delayed this month.

Of course, you can also find many, many Jane Austen items on Amazon and Etsy.

Books and Movies

Let’s start with the obvious. Perhaps the person already has all of Austen’s novels, which are freely available in digital formats. But they might like a quality copy of their favorite, with a beautiful cover and illustrations. My favorite is the “Peacock” Pride and Prejudice, with Hugh Thomson’s delightful illustrations. Your local bookstore may have other beautiful versions.

Or, they might enjoy a well annotated version, giving lots of new insights. The Cambridge editions like this one are a great scholarly resource. Copies of the Juvenilia, the Letters, or the Later Manuscripts might also be welcomed by series Austen enthusiasts.

DVDs of Austen adaptations might be a good gift, if you’re sure they don’t already have the one you’re giving.

There are so many books about Austen and her novels that I won’t even try to list them. However, Jane Austen Books lists them by subject, with 42 topics to choose from, each including an impressive list of books!

Children

Are you looking for gifts for children? You can find lovely books introducing Jane Austen to teens, children, even babies! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Pride and Prejudice: A BabyLit Storybook, and other BabyLit board books; my grandchildren loved this one.
• Goodnight, Mr. Darcy, also from BabyLit, is a “parody board book,” based on Goodnight, Moon and Pride and Prejudice. I think it’s delightful, though I’m not sure toddlers would understand it! So maybe for an Austen-loving mom who has small children.
• Cozy Classics board books Pride and Prejudice and Emma tell the stories for very young readers, in only twelve words, with felt figures. (They do other classics, too, if you think the child would prefer, perhaps, Huckleberry Finn or Moby Dick.)
• For ages 8-12, Gil Tavner’s series of adaptations is fun. Northanger Abbey, for example, is a delight.
• For more reluctant older readers, including boys, this graphic version of Pride and Prejudice is beautifully illustrated and sticks fairly close to the novel. Search on Amazon for other Pride and Prejudice graphic novels. (There’s even one of Pride and Prejudice with Zombies, which wouldn’t appeal to me, but some might love it!)
• For teenage girls, you can easily find new or used copies of Austen’s novels. Northanger Abbey is a good one to start with, since the heroine is a teenager figuring out her place in the world.
• Austen-themed puzzles, find-it books, paper dolls, craft books, sewing books, and coloring books are other great choices; see below and read my post on  Jane Austen Gifts for Children and Teens for man options.

Puzzles

Does the person you want to give a gift to love puzzles?

I’m looking forward to doing this 1000 piece puzzle with Austen quotes (I usually prefer 500 piece puzzles, but this looks like so much fun!). My friend owns it and she and her daughters work it repeatedly.  Or you might try this 1000 piece puzzle with Austen book covers. Or this one with Austen scenes and characters to find. Or others; search Amazon or Etsy for Jane Austen puzzles.

For those who prefer word puzzles, PuzzleBook for Readers of Emma, including the alphabet game, looks entertaning. The series includes PuzzleBooks for the other novels, also. An Amazon search for Jane Austen word puzzles gives many more options.

Games

My granddaughters (ages 10 and 14) and I keep playing Marrying Mr. Darcy, a fun card game for girls and ladies. You choose which female character you want to be (ranging from Lydia Bennet to Georgiana Darcy), then take cards that give you points for things like character, wit, and cunning. Cards might also take you to parties or on elopements. At the end you see which suitors you have qualified for (ranging from Mr. Wickham to Mr. Darcy), then roll to see who proposes to you and decide who to accept! Add up your character points and marriage points to see who wins.

There are plenty more games to choose from. Or you might want to try some games Austen herself played, with Jane Austen’s Card Games.

Coloring

I’m sure you know that coloring is not just for kids. It’s a relaxing pastime for adults as well. I have several Jane Austen coloring books, and sometimes I color them while listening to music, and sometimes my grandchildren color them while I read to them (from Jane Austen, of course!).

Music

For the lover of music and dance, what about CDs of Austen music? You can get music from her collections, from her church, and from Regency dances, as well as soundtracks of the movies.

Sewing and Embroidery

I love cross-stitching Jane Austen projects. I’ve done a project or two from the wonderful book, Jane Austen Embroidery. My granddaughter is now working on one from Embroider the World of Jane Austen. I’ve given more ideas here. Jane Austen Books lists titles on Needlework and Quilting, and a few on Knit and Crochet.

I have a Pride and Prejudice needle minder, a magnet that holds my needle to my sewing project when I’m not sewing. I love it! Etsy offers a variety of them. This book stack is a cute one.

Clothing and Costumes

This site gives sources and ideas for inexpensive ways to dress in Regency costumes. Recommended items could be valued gifts for the Janeite who likes to dress up for festivals and meetings.

Jane Austen t-shirts and sweatshirts are fun for everyday wear. You can even get Austen socks and scarves. (I have a pair of these socks, but when I wear them under pants or a Regency dress, who sees them??)

Jewelry

The Jane Austen Centre in Bath carries a lovely line of Austen-themed jewelry, if you’re looking for something classy.

Gardening

The gardening Janeite might enjoy Kim Wilson’s In the Garden with Jane Austen, which includes ideas for creating Austen-style gardens, or other books on gardening in Austen’s time.

Food

For the Janeite who loves to cook, a book about food in Austen’s England, or an Austen cookbook, might bring them joy.

Faith

A devotional based on Jane Austen’s prayers, such as our own Rachel Dodge’s Praying With Jane, or Shannon Winslow’s Prayer and Praise, would be a precious gift to a person of faith. Rachel’s other devotionals would also be good gifts for those who love The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, or Little Women.

Or you could give my new book, Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England, to anyone who wants to see more about how the church of Austen’s day affected her life, novels, and world.

For more books related to faith and Austen, or for books related to science and Austen, see the post on my blog. 

Fiction

Many Janeites love Austen variations, and a subscription to Kindle Unlimited would be a good way to give them the opportunity to read many. Here are a very few of my personal favorites:

• Fantasy: Maria Grace’s Jane Austen’s Dragons series
• Other countries and cultures: Soniah Kamal’s Unmarriageable
• Retold from other points of view: Shannon Winslow’s Colonel Brandon in His Own Words and Pamela Aidan’s Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman
• Completions and sequels: Sanditon, by Jane Austen and Another Lady; Laura Hile’s So This is Love, which gives Charlotte Lucas a happier ending
• Variations with faith and science themes: See reviews on my blog. One of many good ones, with both faith and science, is Robin Helm’s Yours By Design series, with an added fantasy element; Austen’s Darcy is switched with a modern-day Darcy, with surprising results.

Journals

Journals and Notebooks can be good gifts for those who like to write. I’ve used a Jane Austen Daybook year after year, writing down things I’m thankful for every night, since it has a space for each date.

Calendars

Every year JASNA Wisconsin creates a Jane Austen calendar with lovely pictures (this year’s are from C. E. Brock’s Pride and Prejudice illustrations). Each date gives one or more events from Austen’s life, letters, or novels. I love these!

Mugs, phone covers, etc.

You can, of course, find many other choices: mugs (I confess I own several, which I use for pens and pencils since I’m afraid if they’re used daily they’ll break!), phone cases, Kindle covers, magnetic poetry, even Christmas tree ornaments.

Subscriptions, Donations, and Gift Cards

Sometimes it’s easiest to give money, but of course you want to give it in a way that will bless that specific person, and possibly others.

You can give a membership to their national Jane Austen Society (North America, UK, Australia, or others.)

You can give a donation in their name to an Austen-related institution, such as Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Chawton House, or Austen family churches.

Or you can let them pick out their own special Austen gifts by sending a gift card for Jane Austen Books or the Jane Austen Centre (UK only).   

By now your wish list is probably a mile long! Mine, too. But rejoice in what you have. Think about your Austen-loving friends’ interests and joys, and give gifts they’ll love, to show your love for them!

What is your favorite Jane Austen gift that you have received or given?

.Brenda S. Cox writes on Faith, Science, Joy, and Jane Austen. Her new book, Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England is available on amazon and at Jane Austen Books. :-)