10 Reasons to Gift Books This Christmas

With the holidays coming up, everyone’s thinking of what to give their loved ones—and what better gift than a good book?

1. Endless Variety: Something for Everyone

Walking into a bookstore can turn a nightmare Christmas shopping trip into a one-stop shop. In a single store’s aisles and shelves, you can find titles that cater to the interests and hobbies of everyone on your shopping list. Whether they’re interested in bestsellers, classic literature, non-fiction, poetry, or any genre under the sun, you’ll be able to find a book that will light up a smile on their face.

If you’re ever unsure of what someone would like—say, for a Secret Santa—joke books and gag gifts are always a great fallback. Even the Grinchiest heart will grow a size or two on unwrapping these little mines of entertainment.

2. Books Don’t Break the Budget

Let’s face it—everyone’s broke nowadays. But books can be a thoughtful, personalized gift you can get for a friend, loved one, or acquaintance for relatively cheap. Even more expensive hardbacks typically don’t cost more than $20-$30, and most new releases are around $15. And if you need to buy presents for a lot of people, many used bookstores have stock in like-new condition at shockingly low prices.

Since ebooks tend to be even cheaper than physical ones, a $10-$20 gift card is both budget- and eco-friendly.

3. Reading is Good for Your Brain

As useful as modern technology is, recent studies have found that too much screen time (social media in particular) is bad for your mental health. Every once in a while, our eyes and our brains need a break from the constant, flashy distractions of our computers and smartphones.

Reading books, meanwhile, engages our brain in a way that keeps it stronger and healthier in the long term. Avid readers have broader vocabularies and better reading comprehension than non-readers. Reading can even help to stave off Alzheimer’s when we’re older.

4. Bonding over Books: for New Friendships and Strengthening Old Ones

Giving a book isn’t just a one-off gift. Bonding over books creates a sense of community and is a great way to better relationships with family or make new friends. Literature can make for great icebreakers, leading to engaging conversations about themes and characters. Even if you don’t read the same books, many genres share similar tropes, character arcs, and messages, which can lead to some fascinating avenues of dialogue.

5. Spread Interest and Understanding Through Diverse Stories and Perspectives

Books offer a new way of thinking, drawing the reader deep into new perspectives we might not have considered otherwise. They’re the perfect gateway to exploring different cultures and broadening our horizons. Gift a book to spark new debates or deepen understanding on certain topics.

(Just don’t go too controversial with this. Don’t want to start fights around the Christmas tree.)

6. Delivery is a Breeze

While you’ll be able to give some Christmas presents in person, there are likely at least a few friends or relatives living far away. Thankfully, books are easy to wrap and ship. The internet is full of creative ideas for wrapping books, and depending on where you live, shipping books and other media mail (such as DVDs and CDs) is cheaper than regular shipping.

If you decide to go for an ebook, that makes delivery even easier. All you need is the recipient’s email and boom! You’re done.

7. Make It Special: Extras for Easy Customization

Speaking of “thoughtful, personalized gifts,” even a regular mass-produced paperback can be made special with a little extra effort. Even for relatively cheap, you can get custom bookplates, book covers, and bookmarks.

For an extra special touch, consider snagging a signed copy for your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be some rare thousand-dollar volume, either; most bookshops host regular literary events, including book signings. Tickets are usually pretty cheap—sometimes free—so all you need to do is buy a copy to be signed and show up on time.

8. A Lasting Keepsake: Books Outlast Other Gifts

People easily get bored with the latest gadgets and trinkets. If you treat them well, books can last a long time. If you nab a first edition or other rare collectible, they can even become quite valuable over time.

9. Perfect for All Ages, from Toddlers to Grandparents

You’re never too young to read your first book, nor too old to put them away for good. There’s a huge variety of children’s books, young adult fiction, and titles that can be enjoyed by all ages. New books create the perfect opportunity for family reading time and intergenerational bonding.

Even if everyone is reading something different, a shared love of reading is a wonderful thing to encourage.

10. Audiobooks, Ebooks, and More for Every Need

Reading a physical book isn’t always possible or practical. Difficulty with vision or issues like dyslexia can make reading frustrating or downright impossible. That’s why audiobooks make such a wonderful alternative, as they allow those who have a hard time reading access to the rich worlds of fiction and nonfiction.

Ebooks are also a good option for those who like books but whose vision is fading, as it’s easy to enlarge the font and give their eyes some much-needed relief.