to buy books as Christmas Presents for nieces/nephews?

[harassedandherbug]

I don't think so, but not sure everyone will agree!

I have 7 nieces/nephews, all on dh's side of the family as he is one of five. So they all get a lot of presents for birthday's and Christmas.

Instead of rooting around trying to decide what to buy, will they like, will someone else have bought the same I thought that this year I'd buy them all a nice book.

I'd love it if someone did this for dd, she has more than enough toys believe me!

What do you think? Nice or a bit of a meanie??

[pramsgalore]

lol we have loads of the rainbow fairies, dd has prob only read about 5 of them.

[justcallmemummypig]

good books are a great gift,but please none of that rainbow fairies, magic animals rubbish or tv tie ins please - sorry am i fussy

[pramsgalore]

all my dc's love books and even if they are not the book type, giving a book could change that, if i had been given books as presents as a child i may be able to read better now, i am no good at reading out loud but geting better

[Ragwort]

I would much rather my DS was given books (or a voucher) than the vast majority of crap toys that he is given, most of which end up going straight to the charity shop .

[tassisssss]

(sorry just seen it was 7 nieces and nephews, not 7 year old!)

[tassisssss]

Audio books are great hits...for those 7 year old nephews OP I'd suggest the How to Train your Dragon one read by David Tennant, fantastic!

[tassisssss]

Books are GREAT presents. I suggested next stage books to everyone who asked for dd's 5th b'day last week and she's got some great ones.

She also has a Waterstones voucher to spend and she's really really looking forward to spending it which is nice!

[olibeansmummy]

Books make great presents :) wouldn't buy a book voucher though as you get so much more for your money on amazon than wh smiths or waterstones.

[Haribojoe]

I think books are a lovely present and often give them as gifts myself. Waterstones often have some good offers like 3 for 2 and buy one get one for a pound, especially in the run up to Christmas.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Books are great, I like the Book People for presents as you can get some great sets so I can gift 10 books for £10 rather than just getting maybe two from a book shop. Amazon is good if after individual books by certain others though.

[gillybean2]

try thebookpeople.co.uk for lots of great discounted books.
My ds loves sticker books and annuals too, he gets half a dozen annuals for christmas and birthday

[pallymama]

Books are good presents, and they're easy to wrap! We've had people start asking what they can get (nearly 2) DD for birthday/christmas. We've suggested books too, although quietly so DD doesn't hear the B word and pounce on you with a book, demanding "more book! more book!" and expecting you to read the same book with her for the next half hour.

[redexpat]

I sometimes got books, always got book vouchers from my aunt and uncle though. Loved it.

TBH I don't think ANYONE on MN is going to tell you that you are unreasonable for buying books!

[Callisto]

I had no idea some people think that books are an unacceptable present. Books are my default present for my 6yo DD's school friends.

[melodyangel]

To go out and chose a book for another person is such a treat. To share stories you have loved or to find something new that you would never have picked up and then discover them together. I can't think of a better present.

A book form an aunt or uncle or family friend is always so much cooler than from mum or dad!

Oh and don't forget to write on the first page.

[harassedandherbug]

I've already sounded out what my eldest niece would like, and all the others are under 5 so that makes it easier!

The reason I asked if it would BU, and one of the reasons I'm even thinking about Christmas in September , is that two of my sil's have been asking what dd (5) wants and I suggested books....... and the response wasn't as enthusiastic as I would have thought. Maybe they'd prefer to buy her another Barbie! I don't mind, but she genuinely loves books.

I'm also preg, and due at Christmas, so would be great to get some shopping done ASAP!

[munstersmum]

YANBU
Books are a great present. Choosing the books is also acceptable. It can often introduce the reader to a new author.

[whoknowswho]

books are the best presents imo or book tokens. My DC love getting them as gifts!

[slavetofilofax]

My dc love books, but they do have reading preferences, and as they have books at home and have read loads from the school library, I think it would be best to ask what they would like when it comes to older children.

[Ephiny]

Why would it be unreasonable? I thought books/tokens were perfectly normal things to give as presents, especially for children! Is that not true any more?

[Illegitimate]

I do books for children. I never know what toys to buy children what with things going out of favour so quickly

[squeakytoy]

I would buy book tokens (waterstones) so that the money can be spent on books, but leave the choice up to them, and it also gives the child the opportunity to pick a book they like, in the sales after christmas..

Nothing at all wrong with giving a book or tokens for one as a present, it is a very good idea.

[crystalglasses]

My dc have always loved getting books as presents. I think it strange that the op would think it could be regarded as an unacceptable present. There are some lovely gimmicky gift books around if you don't want to buy a straightforward story book.

[Gonzo33]

I'd love people to buy my kids books. You have just given me a great idea for Christmas too.

[Sewmuchtodo]

Our DC's love books and their aunt buys them a book or a book token every year as a part of their christmas (she only has our dc's to buy for so spoils them a tad). They really look forward to having a new book and even more so when their aunt or uncle reads it with them!