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Original poster

Children’s books - do you give as a gift?

108 replies

fromheretothemoon · 16/10/2020 21:11

The reason I ask is that I have been looking at threads for weeks for ideas for DC, and when posters list what their DC are getting for Christmas books are rarely mentioned in comparison to toys, electronics and clothing.

DS(5) loves books and yet he is not often given them as a gift for Christmas or birthday; sometimes we are asked for ideas and we emphasise how much he enjoys books but he will inevitably get toys which mostly are a 5-minute wonder.

Do people think books are a boring gift? I usually always include a book and toy when giving as parents usually say their kids have too many toys but maybe I’m a boring gift-giver?!

OP posts:
kowari · 18/10/2020 11:17

I'm likely to buy a book that DS has chosen himself, and if he wants it then he wants to read it now, not wait a couple of months! At the rate he reads I always check the library first and borrow instead if I can though.

stayathomer · 18/10/2020 11:24

I'm an author and read about 3 books a week but my kids vary in how much/what they read. It's lovely that people give their/their kids' favourite books as presents to others but in general books don't do well in our house. You'll have someone give us the prettiest most ornate book and it's a shame how it's treated. The younger kids have their favourite books from the library l and we'll buy them or they might see ones they really want but the ones they get from other people generally get read once and at times they're forced into reading them. One year my 7year old only got books from his aunts and uncles and much as I love books I was gutted for them. Similarly the books I've got my avid readers of nieces and nephews (thinking these are fantastic they'll adore them) definitely didn't go down as well as toys.

Nikori · 18/10/2020 11:32

I give books to my own kids, but not to other people's kids as I don't know what books they already have and what kind of books they like.

I love reading, but I hate getting books as a present as I'm really picky about what I read.

footprintsintheslow · 18/10/2020 18:05

@user27378

I have definitely noticed this too on Mumsnet lists and when I watch Christmas Vlogs. I've seen many huge children's present haul opening videos, never a book in site. I'm also house hunting at the moment and I'm surprised at how few books, more often no books, I see in children's rooms. I always give friends children books for birthdays and Christmas, books as new baby gifts, and I've often had feedback afterwards that the books are the child's favourite. I think some people see it as on par with giving a child clothes.
I think books should be in every room so there always one on hand for a quick story.
Shufflebumnessie · 18/10/2020 18:41

DS will be getting book number 2 from the 13 Storey Treehouse series in his stocking, as well as a Pokemon puzzle book.
My parents are getting him the DK Ocean Encyclopedia.
He doesn't really enjoy reading and very rarely voluntarily picks up a book, however he always gets a couple at Christmas and birthday.

DD loves books and will be getting some.

I was a complete bookworm growing up. For me, the best present was a stack of books!

BakewellGin1 · 18/10/2020 19:33

Both DS get books for occasions...

DS Age 19 months so far has for Christmas

Say Goodnight to the Snowy Animals
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Where do Diggers Sleep at Night
Night Monkey Day Monkey
Ten Little Night Stars

kowari · 18/10/2020 19:55

I think some people see it as on par with giving a child clothes.

I do. I see them as an essential like clothes, to buy as needed through the year. If we can borrow them for free from the library, or if I can pick them up second hand for £2 or £3 on eBay then I'll do that before buying new. If DS was the type to get excited about a new hardback book or a brand name t-shirt then I'd buy him that for Christmas. He hasn't needed to be given books as presents to love reading.

mangomama91 · 18/10/2020 19:57

Daughter nearly always gets her friends books for their birthdays.
And we always get our daughters some books for their birthdays and Christmas.

stridesy · 18/10/2020 22:43

I’m worried as I’m trying to think of something that’s not books for my 11 year old Xmas present. He’s not overly bothered about expensive presents. So far there’s about 25 books he wants. Obviously won’t get them all. Reading has clearly helped him with his English at school. Last birthday he physically waited outside for his amazon parcel of books to arrive. He was so excited.

Bikingbear · 18/10/2020 23:43

I suppose I'm also one who'll buy books "just because". The cost of kids magazines swings me towards books, if your paying a fiver for a magazine that really all they want is the tat on the front, you can pick up a book with a decent story, that will last longer than the tat.

Thismummyruns · 19/10/2020 10:29

DC1 gets books for every birthday, Xmas and as treat presents/rewards.

She loves getting a new book!

CountFosco · 19/10/2020 12:16

when I watch Christmas Vlogs. I've seen many huge children's present haul opening videos, never a book in site

That's probably says more about the type of person who posts videos of present hauls than about the popularity of books as a present.

17caterpillars1mouse · 19/10/2020 12:28

I always buy my children books as gifts, and randomly throughout the year. This year I've only brought one for my 4 year old so far but have another 2-3 on my list of things still to get and have told family some books she would like. I've bought 4 books for my soon to be 2 year old

footprintsintheslow · 19/10/2020 18:26

A nice idea is having a book advent. I bought all ours from the charity shop
And wrapped them in brown paper and towered them up like a Christmas tree.
A bit like this....

Children’s books - do you give as a gift?
Children’s books - do you give as a gift?
Equimum · 20/10/2020 09:12

I always buy my children books for Christmas and birthday, and these typically form a major part of their gift. This year, DS1 has a Beano book in his stocking, the How To Train Your Dragon set under the tree, and will also get a Beano annual and a Guineas Book of Records. DS 2 will get a joke book in his stocking and more hardback Winnie the Pooh books under the tree.

They also get a Christmas story each at the beginning of December, which we read in the run-up to Christmas.

unexpectedthird · 20/10/2020 10:03

Books are standard presents at birthdays, Easter and Christmas in this household. But I don't suppose I ever really mention them.

At Christmas, each DC gets an annual. Eldest gets The Guinness Book of Records, Middle gets Ripleys Believe it or Not. The baby is too little for anything like that yet. Eldest gets Oor Wullie or the Broons and Middlest a A Nat Geographic Kids book. Again, the baby is too little. All 3 get a few fiction books. Last year the eldest got some young James Bond, the middlest some Dick King Smith books and the baby some new board books.
This year, I think the eldest will get Sherlock Holmes, the middlest some Mr Gum books and the baby will get a random selection of board/picture books we don't already have.

It's getting harder to buy them books because we have so many and I buy lots throughout the year.

We also have the Christmas books that don't come out until December. I think there's around 40 of them now and they range from board books to anthologies of Christmas short stories. I buy one or two new Christmassy books to add to it each year. This year I think I'll be buying Miracle on Ebeneezer Street and the new Maggie O'Farrell for kids. We love the 1st of December when they appear again.😀🌲

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/10/2020 11:50

I don’t buy many for Gdcs any more since they have masses and shelves are overflowing. I keep plenty here for them though.

Would just mention that Poo In The Zoo went down a storm with them last yr at 3 and 4. Funny and clever and not too tedious for an adult to read to them.

I often buy board books as newborn presents, since parents are usually inundated with clothes and soft toys. Favourite classics for very little ones are Each Peach Pear Plum and Peepo!

LadyCatStark · 20/10/2020 11:59

I buy DS books every Christmas and birthday, but as they’re a staple, I might not mention them in a list. I used to buy a box set from the book people before they went out of business. I think I’m going to get him the Alex Rider set this year.

BrowncoatWaffles · 20/10/2020 12:24

We give books but we have a handful of favourites that I just seem to buy over and over again for everyone!

WoobyWoo · 22/10/2020 01:01

Yes books as standard here too amongst all the gaming gear, the dc rip through the age appropriate series’ so I usually update them and they always have an annual / GBWR / Ripleys in their stockings too.

I might get a special request if there’s a new Dogman or Tom Gates etc out but tbh I usually keep an eye online for new releases anyway and wouldn’t necessarily make them wait for a birthday or Christmas, books are like clothes or toothbrushes here, very much a necessity rather than a gift!

It’s nice to buy lovely books for babies though, I’ve gifted the Beatrix Potter set a few times which has gone down well!

MrsHSW · 24/10/2020 18:35

I do for god daughter...not sure if they are appreciated though. I'm pretty sure her parents wouldn't buy them and like a pp said, they'll be there if she decides to read them. I usually put with something like small toy/stickers of the characters.

reluctantbrit · 25/10/2020 09:37

It really depends. For babies and toddlers you can’t go wrong but as soon as they learn to read it is difficult unless you know a child really well and know their level. I often get vouchers from Waterstone or WHSmith and a small token gift to unwrap now. Also if the child is a younger sibling you have to think of all the books they already own.

For DD it depends. We buy books throughout the year so she doesn’t get them necessarily for her birthday unless I know there is a new release or she talks about one she saw somewhere. Sometimes she asks for a particular one, she got into historical factual books now.

But the grandparents often give her books, DD actually asks and we provide them with a couple of titles so they can choose and there is an element of surprise.

reluctantbrit · 25/10/2020 09:40

@Bikingbear

I suppose I'm also one who'll buy books "just because". The cost of kids magazines swings me towards books, if your paying a fiver for a magazine that really all they want is the tat on the front, you can pick up a book with a decent story, that will last longer than the tat.
Same here. I gave DD the money for one magazine when she was smaller and we went to the charity shop who is quite well stocked for books. There was at least always one win in the pile she bought.
Duanphen · 25/10/2020 16:22

Books make up the majority of our gift-giving celebrations.

I try and keep an eye on what's popular in children and teen markets but also try and avoid the celebrity-written dross in favour of more skilled writers. My daughter is devouring folk stories from different places and time periods. My son goes for sci-fi and mystery types. They're capable of finding titles similar to their favourites, but also of choosing new things.

They've got two bookish parents so it's fairly normal to us.

wonkylegs · 25/10/2020 16:31

Our kids always get books
The Christmas DS1 was 11 he got a new bookcase and a huge selection of books as his main present - he really enjoyed all but 2 of them which were "ok but not my thing"
FC always brings at least one book and they get more from us.