Lamest Xmas gift idea ever or...?

[twiney]

There's a family that have been a huge source of support for me lately and they've also had a rough time of it.

It's mostly a woman and her mother, but there's also her husband and three pre-teen/teen boys.

Getting a classic family gift like a hamper or something just doesnt feel personal enough to me.

So I had the idea of buying and wrapping them each a book I thought they would enjoy, and then using a painted cardboard box to create The X Family Christmas Library. So they could unwrap the gift and each of their books together.

Lame idea or good idea?

I think that's a lovely idea!

I think it sounds wonderful, but are they 'book people'? Because if they're not, it maybe would seem lame.

Shit @Celticlassie now that you mention it I haven't ever actually seen any books ib their house! It's just I'm a book fiend myself. Hmm, back to the drawing board then. Maybe I can do a similar concept with something else.

I would love that but I'm an avid reader, but I think if they aren't book people it might not be that well received

Maybe something they can do together in the new year would be better, like cinema vouchers or something?

I would love it as I too love books.

Me and my boys would love that. Only risk you would run is getting us a book we already have as we read and buy so many.

However, DSS has never read a book in his life. (Ok,one, when his dad desperately tried to engage him) and he's 14. So would be awful for him.

Do you think they read?

@SlickBubbles
No, I don't think they do actually! I could mix things up to make it less novelly, aka kickass recipe book for the gran, graphic novels for the boys, how to survival style guide for the dad, DIY cosmetics style book for the mum, you get the idea, but at the end of the day if they dont like books full stop maybe theres no point??!

What about a hamper but slightly different? So magazines they may each like, sweets, chocolate, etc. Even teen DSS could be persuaded to pick up a gaming magazine for an hour, and a hamper like that would be a welcome break from TV etc

I would love this, my ds (16) would hate it so I think it very much depends if you are a book person.

I think even if they aren't completely book people - it's such a thoughtful gift and I think made even more thoughtful by the fact that you are a book person, although does depend on ages of children. I think also the idea of books you mentioned e.g. Help, Recipe, Non-Fiction are the type of books even 'non-readers' would enjoy.
I'm a massive reader and would love to receive both fiction and non-fiction gifts but lots of my friends, who I know aren't 'book people' would still love to get a recipe book or makeup or coffee table book etc.

@thegoodnamesarealltaken
I tend to agree, I think non fiction books can be fun and enjoyable for people who aren't normally "book people"!