The Holiday season is upon us, and with the festivities, the food and décor it is for many a season of joy, peace and giving. With giving, however, I sense an element of stress linked to this, as somehow the 25th of December seems to come as a surprise each year! So, from now on my Darlings, I advise you to put a recurring note in your calendars, to begin the joy of gift shopping as early as a month or two before December. My dear Husband always tells me that reverse engineering is the key to plenty of problems, so I decided to take his advice and apply this theory to gift giving, attempting to reduce the stress associated with Christmas shopping. I am pleased to advise you that I concluded that the nuisance associated with gift hunting comes down to two things, and two things only: time and knowing what to buy.
As we have covered the first element of stress, and equally eliminated the same by starting the gift shopping earlier than most people, we will attempt to solve problem number two: what to buy. Oh, the grief associated with knowing what to get and to whom can make the blondest of hair turn grey in a matter of minutes. Figuring out what Uncle Harry or your neighbour Nellie will receive in their stockings and what will please the pickiest of mother in laws is a task so daunting that it is no wonder that Mr Claus works once a year only.
Until now. Drumroll please! The perfect Christmas gift is a book.
Four Reasons why a Book is the Perfect Christmas Gift
1. One size fits all
I find clothes nearly impossible to buy as gifts. Buying a romper for a newborn baby is just as hard as finding a piece pleasing a fashionista, but a book does not judge you by your size. You do not have to figure out the waistline
2. Affordable
Buying a ticket to a train ride on the Orient Express stays in most of our bucket lists, however gifting a copy of Agatha Christie’s work will take you on a journey filled with mysteries and murder, and to a fraction of the price!
3. Something for Everyone
Books are so great as there really is something for everyone. Ronaldo’s biography for the football fanatic fifteen-year-old or a gardening manual for the green fingered friend. All you need is to know a little about the receiver, their passions and interests and the perfect read will be paired with the reader.
4. The Gift that keeps on Giving
The best thing about books as presents is that they are easily exchangeable. Keep the receipt as it allows for exchange in case the bookworm has moved it from the TBR to the read pile. Books are gifts that will bring joy more than once, to more than one person as they can be borrowed and shared. Shared joy is double joy and as Christmas is all about joy, what better way to spread it than with books?
Nearly every gift can be replaced with a book, unless you plan to propose on Christmas. In such case I suggest that you do not replace the ring with a copy of Tolkien. You could, however, find the perfect idea for a romantic proposal in a book, following a theme your loved one will recognise from her favourite book.
I trust that this has made your Holiday season slightly less stressful, and that a book will be the solution for the dad who has it all. May you all receive the gift of the written word, and may this holiday be the year of little miracles, experienced through the wonderful world of books.
For more advice on etiquette, manners, interior design and how to live your life with grace, elegance and poise, read the book “Tea with the Dutchess: How to do anything with style” by Kate Gawi.
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