7 tips for choosing the perfect birthday gift
A beautiful book is the perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life but how do you go about choosing the right one? Folio books are designed to last a lifetime, so it’s even more important to carefully select the edition that’s going to be around for the long term. Here are our top tips for choosing the ideal gift.
Have a sneak peek
If you’re not sure which genre floats their literary boat, have a subtle nose at their bookshelves the next time you’re round. If there’s a tatty looking paperback that’s obviously been read numerous times, or a collection of novels by a particular author, it’s a sure-fire bet that they’ll love a beautiful edition of the book or author in question.
Head for the big screen
Film and television adaptations are brilliant sources of inspiration for birthday books. If they were glued to Game of Thrones or they can recite every line from The Godfather, a gorgeous edition of the book will be a much-appreciated keepsake.
Is there a book you studied together at school or college, or something you both read and loved more recently? The ultimate edition of a nostalgic read has the added benefit of shared memories and will make a truly special birthday present.
Step back in time
If they love a good book but never have the time to commit to a weighty tome, how about choosing a selection of short stories instead? Simply pick their favourite genre and they can enjoy world-class fiction in bite-sized chunks.
Take a short cut
A beautifully crafted book is a work of art, so treat creative acquaintances to an edition that includes their favourite media. From watercolours to digital illustrations and stunning archive photography, you can tailor the book choice to their artistic leanings.
Appeal to their inner artist
Is there always a strategically placed coffee table book in the front room? If so, you’ll need to think about aesthetics. An ornate binding, coloured page tops or a particularly striking slipcase will see your gift elevated to centre-stage, and lesser volumes relegated to the farthest recesses of the bookcase.
You can take the subtle, ‘drop it into the conversation’ approach, or just bluntly ask which book they’d like. If you really have no idea about their literary taste, it’s better to arm yourself with knowledge and hand over your gift with a confident swagger.
Or you could buy them a Folio e-gift card, and let them choose for themselves!
Accessorise the interiors
If all else fails … just ask!