Everywhere I go I hear Christmas music. The atmosphere - I mean the literal air - is already changing in that indefinable way that it does at the onset of the tropical winter: the nights are cooler; there's an extra clarity in the blueness of the sky, a pellucid depth, and a certain invigorating buoyancy in the breeze. Yes, folks. Christmas is in the air.
I've been told I'm a Scrooge. I love certain aspects of the season, like the relief from the scorching heat. Snuggling under my comforter is a pleasant change from tearing clothes off my sweaty skin and hauling the fan as close as it can get in the middle of the night. But I hate the fuss, the excess, the commercialization, the obligation to do stuff. And then - horror! horror! - there are the gifts.
Gift giving can drive you insane. Many people end up receiving gifts they don't really want, and giving the same kind. Some über-organized souls make up their lists months beforehand, while others run out in a frenzy at the last minute and grab whatever they can: "I'll get this dog collar for Caryn. Wait, Caryn doesn't have a dog! Damn, maybe this throw cushion. Does she like these things? I don't even remember what her house looks like! Maybe these towels? Scented candles? Soaps? Damn, damn, damn! Next year is gonna be different!"
Next year is here, and there's a solution to the gift dilemma. Random House has kicked off a campaign, and I think it's a fantastic idea: "This holiday season... Give the Gift of Reading!" Just think about it:
- A book is the perfect size.
- It's easy to wrap.
- It gives hours and hours of pleasure.
- It's reasonably priced.
- It's convenient, portable, and can be visited again and again.
- There's one to suit every imaginable taste and interest.
Let's start a movements, folks. Especially at this time when people are watching their spending ver-ry carefully, let's encourage everyone to GIVE BOOKS THIS CHRISTMAS!
14 comments:
Great idea!
I'm just trying to figure out if it would be rude to suggest specific things for my kids because my house cannot/should not endure another influx of toys. Crafts (although not one more tea set to paint -- no more tea sets), clothes (and they have to be a certain fashion or they just stay in the drawer, or books.
I have an aunt who gives a border's gift certificate every year. At first I thought it lacked thought, now it's my favorite thing. We save it until the holiday rush is over and the dull of winter sets in and poof, a treat awaits.
Yep, I'm on the campaign with you Liane. Fabulous. I particularly LOVE to receive book vouches. I enjoy the feeling of potential books as it nestles in my purse; I love the browsing and not spending it and I love the eventual spending.
#1 guitar rocker! is me, kim. I keep forgetting we have another blogger in the house now -- that's my Winnie. I just did the same thing on swishy's blog.
..."who's this guitar rocker who babbles away just like kim? ohhh, it IS kim."
Hey #1 guitar rocker! Welcome to the blog! I don't think it's rude to suggest things for the little ones; as a matter of fact I think you should! Their gifts should be a combination of stuff that they want and stuff that's good for them, imo.
As for the gift certificates: I love em. I got one from the staff of a school where I did a short-term teaching stint last year and it came in very handy - got birthday gifts for my mom and son with it. For me, books are a surefire happy-maker!
JJ, welcome aboard the campaign boat! I'm going to edit my post to include book vouchers. Love those too!
Kim, LOL! Off I went to check the rocker's profile!
I've done that too! Several times! Forgot I was signed in to the company account and went off and commented as 'the firm'. Had to delete each time and repost - didn't think the company would appreciate my blunder!
I tend to give to charities because everyone I know impulsively buys books and at this point in their lives, we're using stacks of them as seats when we visit!
I think that's a great idea, I'll definately be suggesting it to those near me.
I love to give books as gifts, but so few of my family and friends are regular readers (or even irregular).
I've given my mum a few books over the years, but she never looks at them and eventually I end up reading them after they've been on the shelf for ages.
Good call. I'm with you on this one.
I ordered your book, Liane!
Spot on! We don't do Xmas but I decided a while back that any time I need to buy a gift it should be a book.
Supportive of other authors and general good karma ... what's not to love?
Kanani, I like your people. Half-buried by avalanches of books is the only way to live!
Debs, so will I!
PJ, that's a real pity. Then again, you can always buy them books you really want to read, sort of like the husband who buys his wife power tools... :)
Zinnia, I've been reading so many doom-and-gloom predictions for the publishing industry that I'm on a mission! When times are hard, book sales should go up, not the other way, imo. Books cost so little and give so much!
Sandra, thank you! I already have The Space Between, and Bad Ice is on my list!
Debi, yes, it's win-win all around.
excellent idea and I quite agree about the commercialisation of Christmas. Grrr.....!
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