Say It With Books — Tips for Buying Books for Loved Ones

Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than gifting a great book! 💝

A book is a wonderful present as the art of choosing the right one is particularly personal. You have to really know the recipient, and when you find a story they end up adoring it feels like pure magic! You get to expand their world and enchant them with something they’ll cherish for years to come, and they will feel seen and get hours of delight when reading.

But, buying someone else a book is always a little risky. As the holiday season is approaching, we’ve put together our tips and tricks to help ensure your bookish gift-giving is a success this year! 🎁

By Genre

It can be tempting to gifts books you’ve personally read and devoured, and if your loved one is similar to you then that may be an easy win! But everybody’s tastes are different and keeping the recipient at the forefront of your mind is essential. Gifting a book is a thoughtful and unique process, all about bringing another person joy. Avoid letting your own preferences skew your judgement, and pick a story from a genre you already know they are fond of. This will give you the utmost chance of getting it right!

By Author

If you know of any specific authors your nearest and dearest loves, this is an excellent stepping-stone! You could try choosing one of their lesser-known works if you’re sure the recipient hasn’t already read it yet, or, you may be able to find a short story collection they have contributed to. The latter offers the best of both worlds, providing content from a beloved voice and introductions to new potential favourites! You can also research the works and writers that influenced their favourite authors, vastly increasing your gifting options.

By Theme

Another great way to pick a book that will be treasured forevermore is by its themes and tropes. This gives you the chance to explore books outside the confines of your loved one’s top genres and authors, whilst still keeping the possibility of them liking your choice high. Offering a hidden gem is exciting as it opens up a whole new world of wondrous possibilities. And if you’re not entirely sure what themes and tropes they favour most, it’s time to get sneaky! Try to glance at their shelves whenever you next visit, or take a look at their online reading trackers if they have them. Goodreads, Fable, and StoryGraph all let you see what kind of books your friends and family are liking and disliking.

By Adaptation

Oftentimes, the best TV shows and films are adaptations of books! If you know what your loved one enjoys watching, why not surprise them with the original reading material? Providing them with a new format with which they can consume their favourite stories all over again is undoubtedly one of the sweetest gifts there is.

By Special Edition

You also can’t go wrong with picking a tale you already know they love! Getting them a special edition of a story they hold dear shows you truly know their tastes and makes for an extraordinary keepsake. And if they’re a fantasy fanatic, you’re already in the right place! Our collection of FairyLoot Exclusive Editions feature beautiful redesigned covers and dust jackets, exquisite artwork on the endpapers and edges, and countless other exceptional details. Peruse our online shop and find the most memorable bookish present.

Inscriptions

Once you’ve made your choice and purchased the perfect book, you don’t have to stop there! There are a few small enhancements that can make all the difference, adding a heartwarming personal touch and making the recipient feel even more loved. Firstly, you could add an inscription, a short handwritten note inside of the cover. Dedicate it to your nearest and dearest, and tell them why you’ve chosen the book you’re gifting and what you hope they get out of reading it!

Annotations

Secondly, if you’re gifting a book you yourself have read, going through and annotating it can add charm and really show your devotion to the recipient. When they read the book they will be able to see your thoughts and feelings in the margins, deepening not only their connection to the story but also to you. Reading annotated books makes for a really unique reading experience that you can share together.

Whether the book is for a friend, a family member, or a partner, be intentional and we’re sure they’ll absolutely adore it! ✨