Discussion Post: Books as Gifts

books as gifts

It’s fair to say this week’s discussion is influenced by the date because…

It’s my birthday!

I’ve been waiting specifically for today to have this topic as the week’s discussion, since it fits so well 😀

So today I’m asking you…

What do you think when it comes to giving books as gifts?


 

So when an event comes along, like Christmas or a birthday, I always get asked by family and friends what I’d like to receive. And my go to answer is books…but then people don’t know which books to get me. So is it worth all the planning, to give a book as a gift?

Well, let’s look at the good vs the bad.

~~~

The Good

~ If the person receiving the gift is a bookworm, they will be eternally grateful.

~ You could potentially be giving them their new favourite book.

~ You could be giving them a book they wouldn’t think to pick up themselves, and end up loving.

~ It’s a way for you to give a recommendation, and have them actually read it.

~ Every bookworm loves adding another book to their ever growing collection!

~ It could mean more. If you give someone a book you really enjoy, it’s somehow more personal.

The Bad

~ They could already have a copy…

~ They might not read it, if it doesn’t sound interesting to them.

~ They might read it and not enjoy it.

~ They could feel pressured to read it as soon as possible, so they can tell you their thoughts and seem grateful.

~~~

Being honest, it was difficult for me to think of that many bad points. I personally think giving books as gifts is a great idea, for all the points mentioned in the first list.

My friends and I actually have a plan for when we want to buy books as gifts. Say like today, since it’s my birthday, a few weeks ago I wrote down a list of a few books I’d like to have, so they could choose one from the list and be guaranteed that 1.) I don’t already own it and 2.) I’d actually read it. And because there’s a few on the list, I don’t know which I’ll end up getting. This plan has always worked, you just have to make sure that if more than one friend wants one of these lists, you don’t write down any of the same books on different lists, otherwise you could end up with two copies 🙂


So what are your thoughts?

Would you give a book as a gift? Or are you too nervous they’ll already have a copy, or possibly not like it?

Do you tend to receive books as gifts? Do you like receiving them as gifts?

Let me know in the comments!

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29 thoughts on “Discussion Post: Books as Gifts

  1. Great post and Happy Birthday!!!! Yes I do like the idea of writing a list of books as gift ideas, it gets rid of the awkward ” I already have a copy or i dont really like this author” look and conversation. In my opinion another safe bet is a gift card for your fav book store that way you can go crazy and pick anything you want.
    Hope you have a fab birthday!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much! A gift card is also a great idea, then people can choose out their own depending on what they want most at that moment in time, or save it for a book they’re waiting for 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Happy Birthday! ❤ 😀
    I do love giving books as birthday presents, though I am also nervous that the person already has that book (or that they already read it). For me I LOVE getting books as presents! My friends and family usually ask me which books I want and then I give them a list with (around) 50 books, so that they can still surprise me. 😀 The only person who doesn't need that is my best friend, she knows how to get me books that I'll love without me saying anything. XD

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Happy birthday!! And it’s true what you said. In Christmas I want to receive books but I don’t just because people don’t know which ones I might like. Your system might be a good option!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Happy Birthday! Hope you’ve had a great day.

    I love receiving books as gifts! Similar to you, I give my mum and siblings a list of books I’d love to read.

    My friends don’t read a huge amount so I don’t tend to give books very often. Except for my Dad who only reads autobiographies so he’s easy to buy for!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Secondly, I would love to receive books as gifts especially if I tell the person/give them a list of ones that I would like but at the same time I have had books given to me that I will never read because it is family members trying to push their views/likes onto me which is never nice. Also I only buy people books if I know 1, they are a bookworm and will read it/enjoy it and 2, if I know they have never read it before. I think it can be tricky but I wish people would buy me books as gifts instead of bath gift sets etc

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you!!!! And that’s exactly what this discussion is about! Books are great gifts to both give and receive, and yet at the same time it can be difficult to get the balance right between what the person receiving it will enjoy

      Liked by 1 person

  6. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! i think this is a great discussion. I honestly believe that books as gifts is a good idea, but I ban my friends from giving me books for my bdays because I’m scared of the points you’d mentioned. Especially here in Egypt where our bookstores offer a small variety of books that I probably have read and I already own, so it is a huge risk. I like to refrain from receiving books as gifts, but it would be amazing if I lived somewhere else. It would be awesome♥

    Great post! PS, I’m a new follower of yours 🙂

    Jumana @ Books by Jay

    Liked by 1 person

    1. THANK YOU!! 😀 I understand your point – it must suck to not have a huge selection of books! Especially when it comes to gift giving. Thank you for being a new follower! I’ll be sure to check out your blog 🙂

      Like

  7. Happy belated birthday!!! 😀

    What I do when I know someone is planning on getting me a book as a gift is creating a “wishlist” shelf on Goodreads and linking that to them. It’s worked out for me well so far!

    I hope you had a great birthday yesterday!! Let us know what books/presents you got when you get the chance 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you!!! 😀
      That seems like a great idea! And it must be if it’s worked so far haha 🙂
      I did have a good birthday, thanks! I have a February book haul coming up on Saturday, so the books I received will be there 😀 Can’t wait to show everyone!

      Liked by 1 person

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