As you know, the New Year is upon us. It is one of those rare traditions that is celebrated around the world, and it is also precious because it is a turning point for each and every one of us. It makes us want to celebrate with enthusiasm.
Of course, everyone’s taste in celebration is different. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, sometimes alone or by exploring new places. Wherever and with whomever we are, a renewing feeling can overtake us.
On the other hand, the New Year also means preparation. Delicious food, drinks and games are usually a big part of the festive spirit. And then there are the presents. So much so that the gifts are the hardest part. Although it is fun to give and receive, sometimes you do not know what to get the other person. This can be difficult even if you know these people.
When I choose my gifts, I usually try to choose according to the period, the person and the usefulness. If it is a friend who is very cold, warm clothes and other accessories will be of interest to the recipient. If it’s someone who talks a lot about any subject, for example someone who can’t go a day without drinking coffee and talks a lot about it, I can prepare a selection of local coffees and give them as a gift.
But it happens, sometimes you have difficulties. Your guess might be shallow or you don’t know the person as well as you think you do. After all, being in the same environment as someone is not the same as knowing their wishes and interests.
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I don’t know about you, but I love exchanging gifts, although it can be more fun between friends. If we are talking about a group of friends you know, the element of randomness makes it unexpected. It’s also a chance to get to know people better.
I think there are a few options for every occasion. Since this special day is celebrated in winter and cold days are coming, gifts such as hats, scarves, sweaters with the intention of protecting the person from the cold can at least have a sufficient effect. But here the situation can shift a little towards aesthetics and personal judgement. Because the fabric, texture, colour and other unimaginable features may not be to the person’s taste, it may not have the desired effect.
Whenever I have found myself in such a situation (and I have only experienced it once or twice), I have always preferred the book, which is obviously suitable for any fashion, any time, any mentality and any age. In my opinion, a book is one of the most immortal of gifts.
Sometimes the kind of gift you want to buy for someone has an unexpected price tag and you have to leave the shop, no matter how much you want to buy it. In other cases, the gift you want to buy may be one that the person already has or is planning to buy (within their own particular tastes) in the near future . This is also an obstacle.
However, a different book can be given to someone who is planning to buy a book. Of course, the suitability of the genre you choose to the person’s taste is also a factor. But you have a wider choice and many alternatives. In the worst case, it could be a general knowledge book, or an unusual book that suits their temperament. It could be a bestseller or a book on the subjects they talk about most. There are so many different kinds of books in the world that I think it is almost impossible to find a book that is not suitable for someone.
The person may not like books. If they don’t like the standards, maybe comics and manga can come to their rescue. Visuality is a powerful tool. Drawing-heavy work with illustrations can make a difference. If you don’t know your colleague, before the time comes, try to get an idea of their hobbies and general temperament. Make sure you ask everyone so that it is not clear to whom you are giving the gift.
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Now let’s look at it the traditional way. After all, we talked about it being durable and always preferable. Again, we have an example.
Iceland leads the world in the number of books published per capita (five books per 1000 inhabitants). What is unusual is that most of these books are bought in September and November. This is actually a tradition called Jolabokaflod (Christmas Book Flood).
When I did some research on the subject, I read the following: These books are not just bought and given. The person who receives them reads them (apparently on the 24th of the month). Of course, this is the general attitude, and it may not be correct to say that every individual necessarily follows it. But it is said to be the most important pillar of the publishing industry. Imagine a tradition that encouraged you to read books regularly. If you came up with something like that as a social responsibility project, you would either fail or not be able to implement it as systematically. But in Iceland it is done (at least) once a year. I think that is really amazing and commendable.
Let me squeeze in two fun facts. As far as I can tell from the source I read, Icelanders have made a habit of reading books, and they do it regularly, not just at certain times of the year. They have a TV programme called Kiljan where authors talk about their books and there are regular book promotions. It really is wonderful and enviable. I think I have set another goal in my life that I thought I would never achieve. The country is one big book club! Another fun fact is that Neil Gaiman was a guest on one of these programmes and apparently he wrote his popular “American Gods” while walking around the city after he couldn’t sleep during his stay in Iceland. I wonder what kind of fiction I would have written if I had been there?
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Coming back to the subject, we should not forget that books are more powerful than we think. We have already mentioned that choosing and giving a book to someone according to their taste shows that we care about them. Also, unlike many material gifts, a book has permanence. It can be enjoyed again and again, it can be shared with others (for advice or lending) and it serves as a lasting reminder of the giver.
Books have the power to transport the reader to different worlds, cultures and experiences. Therefore, unlike other gifts, they offer a break from the routine of everyday life, providing a form of escape and entertainment. Whether fiction or non-fiction, books often contain valuable information, insight and knowledge. Giving books can also be a way to encourage learning and intellectual curiosity.
As we all know, reading is a leisure activity that promotes relaxation and stress reduction. So choosing a book as a gift can be a way of encouraging the person to take a break, unwind and enjoy a moment of quiet reflection.
Let’s be frank, books (especially hardbacks or special editions) can also be visually appealing. They are an aesthetically pleasing gift that can enhance the décor of a home or library. Even if you can’t find the book you think is right, the person you’re giving it to will feel right about having it on the best-looking shelf.
In the light of all this, I think that the most beautiful of the gifts that meet all our criteria is the book. Apart from the things that the person wants and needs more, it is the most preferable and a value with many positive aspects. In particular, a sincere note that you will put in it will make it even more important and unforgettable.
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