Choose thoughtful book gifts for every reader

Use this guide when you want to give books this Christmas but are unsure what each person would actually enjoy. Have your gift list, a rough budget per person and, if possible, a look at what they have read or mentioned recently.

Step by step

1. Profile each reader in one line

   For each person, write one line covering what they like, how they read and how much they read, for example "Dad: military history, reads in bed, slow but steady" or "Niece, 9: horses and jokes, reads fast". Ask a partner or parent quietly about books they already own, or check their shelves when you visit. This one line will guide every choice below and stops you buying what you would like to read yourself.