Bookends: Keep their books together with a pair made for the shelf

Choose around the books, not only the design

Bookends are useful when the recipient has a particular row to support on a shelf or desk. A collection of light paperbacks makes different demands from tall, heavy hardbacks. Establish what the pair will hold before choosing a shape that looks good in the room.

Compare the height and depth of the support, allowing for any decorative parts that use shelf space. Some designs have a thin plate beneath the books, using their weight to help hold the end in place. Freestanding blocks rely more on their own weight, shape and grip.

Check the base as carefully as the face

A heavy stone or metal pair may be appropriate for substantial books; lighter designs need a suitable base and realistic expectations. A small ornamental pair should not be assumed to support a long row of leaning hardbacks. Check the intended use and the measurements against the actual books.

Smooth protective pads can help avoid marks, but confirm what comes with the pair and whether it suits the shelf finish. A hard base, rough edge or unstable shape can damage furniture or let the row tip. Read whether the listing supplies two ends or just one.

Let the material suit the shelf and the occasion

Wood, metal and stone bring different appearances and weights. The general shopping choice keeps those possibilities open. The separate wooden choice is for a real wooden body or substantial wooden panels; a metal base can still form part of a practical wooden design.

A genuine wooden pair can follow the traditional wood theme for a fifth wedding anniversary. A printed grain or wood-effect coating does not by itself establish that material. Choose the pair for the books and room first, using another material through the general choice if that is what they would prefer.