Christmas Book Shopping?

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Fri November 28th, 2008, 3:56 pm

I don't remember any family Christmas gifting when books weren't given to at least three people. My mom and I are the ones who usually give them to each other and my father and brother. Most friends and family know I'm always very happy receiving a Barnes & Noble gift card, so getting one or more cards every year from the same people doesn't make me think they're not trying to find something special for me.

Since I love to buy CD's, B&N cards received might not be used all for books, so that's a nice advantage too.

LCW · Post by **LCW** » Fri November 28th, 2008, 4:48 pm

I seem to never get books as gifts, I always buy them for myself. I buy books for others but mostly non-ficiton books that are about something interesting to that person. For ex. one year we got my fiance's father a big gigantic book all about the navy (he's a retired Captain), I've given my Mom both fiction and non-fiction, and for my fiance I've gotten him a huge encyclopedia on guitars, the history of music, countless classic car books, and this year I got him a giant oversized book with pictures from the Hubble space telescope. His latest interest is in space so I know he'll like it.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Fri November 28th, 2008, 5:36 pm

I usually buy books for myself - they are such 'must have' things the year round that it's not particularly special to have them bought for me at Xmas.
I do buy books as stocking fillers though. My DIL has asked for a book by a comedian - can't remember its name now but it's been bought and wrapped. (Younger son's girl friend who is living with us loves wrapping pressies and she's good at it, so stuff just gets handed to her the minute it arrives in the postbox. That's my excuse for not remembering the book title). Also bought Making Money by Terry Pratchett for younger son and four cycling travel books for my dad including Long Cloud Ride by Josie Dew. Also bought Mort by Terry Pratchett for my best friend along with a poodle bookmark from e-bay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-POODLE-SOFT ... 240%3A1318
She wants a real poodle but can't have one until the elderly cat shuffles off the mortal coil, so this will keep her going!

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Sat November 29th, 2008, 12:39 am

I love buying people books as presents. It's a little tricky, because you have to know their taste. My husband's is quite different from mine, although there is some overlap. I don't have a very good track-record at finding books that he's really enthusiastic about, though I think it might actually be better than his own track-record - he's always coming home from trips with novels he bought in the airport and didn't really like. My mother's a different story, and we're always sending each other books, not just at Christmas. She's a big mystery fan.

Anyone considering buying online in the U.S. should check out the deal on my website (described on my November 20 blog post). Powell's Books is giving people who buy via HistoricalNovels.info a 10% discount from now through the end of the year.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Sat November 29th, 2008, 7:10 am

I'm getting my mum and her partner, Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes.

My sis I am buying Fern by Fern Britton.

She's buying me Soul on the Street by William Roache.

Christine Blevins · Post by **Christine Blevins** » Sat November 29th, 2008, 3:06 pm

I have four kids, and every year from the year that they are born, for Xmas they receive a special hardcover inscribed with the year and "from Mom and Dad". Fiction or non-fiction, the books always pertain to their interests and lives.

My eldest is 36, and when he moved into a new place not too long ago, he told me how "cool" it was to shelve his xmas books, the dates reminding him of specific points in his life.

Last year was the first Christmas with my grandaughter Gloria. At two weeks old, she began a library with a book "from Mom and Dad" and "from Grandma and Grandpa". The Christmas book is a firm tradition.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Sat November 29th, 2008, 3:50 pm

If ya think about it, books are kinda a hard gift unless you know the person really well or get something off their amazon wishlist.

Many times people have gotten me modern books that I smile at. I dislike anything that isnt HF.

nona · Post by **nona** » Sat November 29th, 2008, 4:04 pm

lol, I think that is why I never get books for Christmas. It's not like I'm hard to buy for but I guess thy say they don't know what I've read or what HF is exactly so after the tenth time of explaining amazon wish list I gave up and said just get me a sweater.

Kasthu · Post by **Kasthu** » Fri December 19th, 2008, 2:36 am

This year I'm getting The Rape of Europa for my sister and accompanying documentary (not HF, but interesting story about Nazi art theft); and my mom's getting The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Company of Liars. I agree, books are really hard to buy for people unless you know them well.

AuntiePam · Post by **AuntiePam** » Fri December 19th, 2008, 3:17 am

Two granddaughters (ages 6 and 8) get books every year.
This year:

Jamberry
Say What?
Good Night, Gorilla
The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

and one whose title I've forgotten.