Wondering what to buy for someone who's a real witch? The honest answer: forage in the woods and make a handmade broomstick, wreath, or talisman. With perfume names like "Witchy Woo" hitting the market, the witch community, Inglenook included, has mixed feelings about the commodification of witch paraphernalia, and of the holidays in general.
That said...we do like a good gift. Especially if it comes from the heart and supports real-life occultists. But shopping for a witch (or magician, depending on how they identify) can be tricky: much of the tools needed for magick are highly personal. It might not suit to, say, buy your witchy friend / loved one a standalone wand or athame, or ritual knife for spell casting, unless you know them well. And while it's a nice thought to buy sage, please research its harvesting practices and cultural history (white sage has been over harvested, and the practice is traditionally meant for Indigenous groups). A gift card to an occult book shop might be just the thing to gift this season, but for something more personal, here are some suggestions:
The Essentials Crate is perfect for anyone who's just starting their magickal journey. This set comes with a selection of herbs, crystals, and tools. Every set is unique, but you can expect (you guessed it) handmade or vintage items including tea lights, spell candles, and herbs. On the pricier side is the Sea Witch’s Altar Tool Set, which features an abalone shell, wand, and other handmade items that are both practical and gorgeous.
One of the most thoughtful gifts for a witch is a custom sampler of ritual oils. For witches who work with scent and spellcraft, ritual oils aren’t just cosmetic perfumes, they're powerful tools, and hard to make at home. Having the right ones on hand is essential, so being gifted oils is a real help. The Tiny Cauldron has a wide selection from Hecate Ritual Oil to Midsummer Oil, making it easy to custom create a unique gift sampler. If you're looking for something carefully curated, The Folklore Kit is enchanting, and made to order with cottage conjure tools and a spell card that with ideas for practical usage.
One can never have too many decks. (And yes, we hear the contradiction about wanting more stuff.) But decks are special. Decks are artistic, practical, and come in every theme and flavor imaginable. Google anything - animals, Shakespeare, elements of pop culture - and someone has made a deck for it. Some of our favorites are those sold on Etsy, like Pine Torch's Audacity Deck and deck for moms. For a pricier option that supports "lit witches" (like the staff at Inglenook), check out F(r)iction magazine's tarot deck. And of course, there's the classic Rider-Waite-Coleman deck -- your witch gift recipient probably already has one, but they might not have it in travel size.
A calendar might sound boring, but keeping track of the seasons, moon phases, and associated celebrations is anything but. It can be overwhelming, in fact. While there are apps out there to track moon phases and the like, there's no one good solution for all things witchy, and anyways, it's nice to keep things tactile. Having a high-quality Yearly Planner or piece of moon phase art is a helpful and visually appealing way to support witches, pagans, and eco-spiritual practitioners in your life.
This is a gift that can't disappoint and can get creative. If you have a magickal friend or family member, chances are good that they keep a permanent altar, or at least assemble one as needed. Altar cloths are an overlooked magickal tool, and the ones sold at occult shops can sometimes feel generic or mass produced. A Fable England scarf adds a touch of personality, and we like this celestial scarf by Khan Artist Studios. Buying from Thrice Round would support magickal merchants: they offer an altar cloth, but we like the look of their scarves even more.
On Etsy there are tons of witchy shirts to choose from. But how many of them actually support witches? If you care about where your money's going, please check out the shop from yours truly, where all merch supports the running of this magazine.
Here's hoping that you have a healthy, low-stress holiday season, and an optimystic end to the year!
Inglenook Lit is an online literary magazine for magic enthusiasts and enchantment seekers
Copyright © 2021-2026
Inglenook Lit LLC
