‘Tis the season where we are all beginning to think about putting the Christmas tree up (or, if you are like me, mine went up November 1) and starting to begin the process of finding meaningful gifts for the loved ones in our life.
It’s no secret that the 2020 holiday shopping season will likely be very different than last year. Shoppers are buying online now more than ever because of COVID and that habit is predicted to accelerate during the holiday season. Good news for businesses that have an online presence, not-so-much for authors and artisans who rely on in-person events to sell their handcrafted items and published works.
Despite the fact that a huge percentage of holiday shopping will occur online, shoppers still want to experience the mood and feel of the holiday spirit. People want things to support their family experiences and they want it to still feel like Christmas.
People WANT special things to happen this season.
This leads me to request two important mindset shifts:
1. This year, let’s be more conscious of value and supporting small businesses. Supporting home-grown, independently-owned/small businesses and those who lovingly craft handmade items are more important than ever. Plus, you will be gifted someone with an item they can’t get a big box store.
2. Authors and hometown bookstores fall firmly into the above category.
If supporting authors isn’t reason enough, here are 8 more reasons to buy books as gifts for Christmas AND all-year-around
8 Reasons Why Books Should be Gifted Year-Round
1) Books can improve our brains. The words inside the pages lead to wisdom, wisdom leads to wonder.
2) Books can unveil hidden secrets, teach a skill, or give people hope.
3) A book purchased directly from an author can not only be personalized and signed to create a keepsake.
4) Books let you explore your world on your own time while you visit places that you would never be able to physically experience.
5) Books don’t need batteries, places to plug, or the need to “watch your calories.”
6) Books and ebooks are portable, exciting, and inexpensive.
7) Books are the gift that can be *opened* again and again.
8) Books are the gift that gets better the more it’s shared. Passing it on doesn’t diminish the intrigue, delight, knowledge, and wonder. The joy doesn’t get “used” up just because someone else read it first.
Whether you’re a fan of the absorbing novel, a fascinating history, a great biography, mystery and intrigue, non-fiction that will improve your brain, guidance on learning a new skill or hobby, or imaginative children’s tale, books are the perfect answer for the pickiest of humans.
Rebecca “Becky” Flansburg is an author, freelance writer, and project manager for the non-profit online children’s literacy initiative, Multicultural Children’s Book Day/ #ReadYourWorld. Join the celebration! Our 8th annual celebration will take place on January 29, 2021. For more information, visit Multicultural Children’s Book Day on the web.
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