• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Lost In The Leaf City

Tips for newcomers and immigrants in Canada

  • START HERE
  • About LITLC
    • Media
    • Links
    • Advertise
    • Site Map
    • Site Policy
  • Newcomers in Canada
    • Newcomers
    • Immigration
    • Travel
    • Calgary Events
  • Pinoy Story
    • Pinoy in Canada
    • Caregiver Journey
    • Philippine Passport
    • My Random Thoughts
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Book / Book Gifting, If You Dare!

Book Gifting, If You Dare!

Updated on April 4, 2017 by Carolyn Leave a Comment

We can always think of things we love to receive in an occasion. I haven’t heard of a wish list not having addition anymore: one is granted and three more are added.

What if you hate, dislike, or after invoking the sensitive, humane part of your personality—with just a change of color or design or little detail in the gift—you could almost say “I like it,” but you cannot.

Instead, you utter the modest, kind words—thank you!

Though such words sounds pleasing to the ears, being in that position is what I dread or has been stopping me to do what I am yearning—book gifting.

Like any other presents, giving book under the disguise of a beautiful box or wrapper that gives more excitement to the recipient, is risky, way too dangerous, but not in the case of a bibliophile.

Sometimes I wish the person I’m suppose to give present to has love for reading, or at least skimming the pages just so I can have a great time in a bookstore scouring the shelves for the fortunate future reader.

Otherwise, it’s a torture because I don’t have the talent on how to choose the best gift for an occasion.

In one incident, I dared the challenge of the art of giving. I’ve chosen the day and determined to succeed. I gave myself one hour to scour the mall.

But things didn’t go according to plan; I kept going to the places I’ve been and still I cannot decide. Tired, frustrated, and defeated, I bought what I thought anybody can’t refuse: chocolates. (I presumed that the recipients do not have health-related reason not to have one.)

That’s why I ask myself: “Am I really not bestowed with the talent of gifting that doesn’t involve books?”

The Art (and Risk) of Book Gifting

Appreciation is the stimulus of gift giving. And influence is what determines or affect the decision in determining what to give.

As the giver, I choose based on the influence of what I like that the recipient would also, even just a little, approve of, having pleasure once the wrapper reveals my choice.

I am reflecting my penchant for books to others; all the more, I want to encourage them the habit of reading.

My good intention is still an alibi.

It’s not about me but the preference, personality, and the hobby of the person receiving the gift are the basis of finding the right present for the occasion, a very simple solution.

However, does this apply if we don’t know the recipient personally—a predicament made worst if you’re on a budget. Even in a tight budget, we always want to give the best gifts to make people happy so when opening the present, even in your absence, a genuine smile is effortlessly made.

Anyone would be saddened if the recipient is already thinking of regifting the present because of having lots of it already such as frames, mug etc. (Isn’t it a familiar scenario?)

This is same the reason why I wanted to give book as a gift. Within the pages is a wealth of knowledge protected by paperback or hardcover. And if possible, I prefer to wrap a collector’s edition book set.

Each person has a unique quality so is a book; I believe one can find something worth reading.

Gift Ideas for My Family

For my mother, I wouldn’t go wrong with the Bible—the world’s best-selling book translated in different languages.

She taught me how to choose the Catholic Bible when I’m buying a replacement for the old, mutilated one which I fixed several times.

Book Gifting: Bible

The ideal Bible (referring to the physical form) for my mom has huge letters for easy reading, written in Filipino (our national language) for better understanding, and size that would fit in her bag for light traveling.

Someday, I wish to inherit her habit of reading the Bible every day, not just in times of trial and leisure but to make the word of God part of my life—by reading and most importantly by putting into practice.

My brother used to love reading; in fact, he thought me to read books borrowed from the library. But as he aged, he lost the interest except for classic novels about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Who can forget their adventures: fighting Injun Joe, living at the Jackson’s Island just to name a few?

I understand why he learns to love those mischievous characters; the “child at heart” inside of us is like Tom and Huck always looking for fun. We owe such pleasure to Samuel Langhorne Clemens (pen name Mark Twain).

For my sister, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is my first choice.

We wanted it more after we watched the movie version that highlights the important parts of the diary. Reading reveals more details and incites one’s imagination that we can almost feel the emotion, the pain of the characters living, hiding from the menacing Nazis.

My sister is a voracious reader, especially of novels, so my second choice is any fiction written by Paulo Coelho, among her favourite authors.

For girl friends, there’s no question inspirational gift book is a must. One of my friends professed her aspiration for Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I think she would appreciate any book of the series, but knowing her the book about “affair of the heart” is what she would love to have the most.

Book Gifting: Purpose Driven Life

As for myself, I love the Purpose Driven Life given by a friend. I wouldn’t hesitate to have it as a gift for others and not just to friends.

It’s based from the Bible. It inevitably evokes pain as realization sets in to the reader. Every page is full of longing, searching, and running away from God. I recommend Purpose Driven Life to everyone.

When it comes to family and friends I would dare to do book gifting, but one after the other.

So you might ask where’s the challenge in this?

I must admit, I’m being on the safe side of the road when I thought of these book gift ideas for the people I hold dear.

Maybe someday in the right occasion, I can muster the courage to wrap a book for someone, an acquaintance, or a stranger if only the time comes on which everyone can appreciate a book as a gift and jump for joy just as they would if they receive an iPad or BlackBerry or LED TV. That’s too much to ask.

I’m now passing the baton, the challenge. Do you dare? Try first to your loved ones. Then you can try the greater feat of book gifting to others.

Related Post: Buy Books on Sale

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related posts:

  1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Trilogy And An Awesome Thursday
  2. Book Review: More Or Less
  3. Book Review: The Alchemist
  4. Weekend Walkabout: Calgary Reads Book Sale 2014

More Goodies:

« Philippine Consular Outreach Schedule In Canada
Book Review: Dovey Coe by Frances O’ Roark Dowell »

Filed Under: Book, Giving Tagged With: book sale, mark twain, paulo coelho, rick warren

About Carolyn

Hello. I'm glad you're here. Lost In The Leaf City is filled with stories for newcomers like you. Share your stories: Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe via email.

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Keep in touch: Twitter and Facebook

CONSULAR OUTREACH SCHEDULE IN CANADA

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

NEWCOMERS

  1. Do You Want to Live in Canada . . . Seriously?
  2. The Best Advice for Newcomers You Cannot Miss
  3. Canadian Government Agencies and Departments
  4. Cheap Car Insurance in Canada
  5. Canadian Tax Courses

IMMIGRATION

  1. Accredited Agencies in the Philippines
  2. Apply for Canadian Citizenship
  3. Apply for US Non-Immigrant Visa
  4. Do You Want to Become a Caregiver?
  5. Permanent Residency Interview

ADS

MOST LOVED POSTS

  • How To Renew Philippine Passport In Canada 49.5k views
  • How To Apply For US Non-Immigrant Visa From Canada 38.3k views
  • How To Renew Philippine Passport In Calgary 31.9k views
  • Philippine Consular Outreach Schedule In Canada 31.3k views
  • How To Apply As Caregiver In Canada From The Philippines (Part 1) 30.7k views
  • How To Renew Philippine Passport In Vancouver (Part 1) 19.5k views

MORE TOPICS

"For the Greater Glory of God" - Saint Ignatius of Loyala

Home | About Us | Contact | Site Map | Policy

Lost In The Leaf City · Copyright © 2012-2022 · Genesis Framework
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.