Why Can't You Give Your Presence for your Present?

Since working at a bookshop, I've given almost every single person a book for their birthday. *Hot tip, if you want a new book invite me to your party ;) But anyway, moving on, it's both the lazy and non lazy approach because anyone who has had to buy a book as a present knows how many ways it can go a little bit wrong. The problem is, when you know them and are friends (clearly, you're celebrating with them) but you are just short of that knowledge of what is it that they have on their shelf. You find yourself questioning everything: do they need a book about hats? have I ever seen them wearing hats? who is their favourite characters from history? what is their favourite cuisine? do they even like reading?! And the list goes on. Well, my friends, here are some of my tips for choosing a book as a present! Goodness knows I need all the help I can get!

PRESENT FOR A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

• Not to be picky but I think in these instances, hardcover really does give the gift an extra layer of special(ness) 
• I tend to go with non-ficton here because unless it's a classic, I feel like it ages less quickly as something you can keep on your shelf and keep referring too over the years
• Especially if it's about a subject that the receiver really likes - there are some pretty specific categories out there!
• Sometimes it's hard to know what kind of book they'd lean towards but in the event that you have absolutely no idea, I usually look in the biography or coffee table book section, be it history, photography or other general interest. 
• But think outside the square! Where did they go for their holiday recently? What do you do together? That might help you to think of some ideas

PRESENT FOR A CHILD (who you may or may not know)

• I think I've somewhat covered this before in a previous post so let's deal with selecting presents for kids you don't know  
• The first question focuses on you: what kind of book do you want to get for them? Fiction (and if so: serious, challenging, funny, to increase their confidence - it's all up to you), an activity book perhaps, a picture book or if they're under five - something for them to play with now or keep for later?
• Once you've identified that a friendly staff member will help you pick out something fitting!

Of course it would be much easier if your present could just be your presence