Gift Guide: Choosing a Coffee Table Book

Activity Art Gift Guide

What’s a great gift for friends or family? A coffee table book! A coffee table book is something that you can give as a birthday, anniversary, or housewarming gift. You can give a coffee table book to a friend from another city or state, to a family member, or to a colleague. But how do you choose one?

Things to consider when choosing a coffee table book for a gift

Pick something with lots of photographs!

Color photos, drawings, illustrations, or artwork are hallmarks of a coffee table book that will become a conversation piece with guests and friends. This is what you want a coffee table book to do Рadd interest and depth to the décor.

Choose a gift that introduces the recipient to your life.

One of my favorite gifts was from my husband’s colleague, who lives in Minnesota. He brought us a gift last year of a coffee table book called “A Hard-Water World: Ice Fishing and Why We Do It”. As a lifelong resident of Florida, I had heard of ice fishing, but thought it was relegated to the most remote parts of Alaska. The book from my husband’s colleague introduced us to the world of “bob houses” and “ice houses” and auger holes and ice scoops. I was amazed at the photographs of makeshift houses painted in whimsical themes – from Peanuts to Pink Floyd to a house called “The Lodge” that looks like, well, a lodge! I had no idea that ice fishing was such a cultural pastime. This book now occupies a spot on our coffee table because none of our other Florida friends have heard of this kind of thing either! It’s a conversation piece.

Choose something that the recipient loves.

Is your friend a golfer, a car enthusiast, a model train collector? Picking out a coffee table book loaded with pictures of your friend’s hobbies or pastimes can be a thoughtful and appreciated choice. One of my best friends was moving away years ago, and before leaving, presented me with a book about my favorite sport at the time, rowing. Loaded with color photographs as well as a history of the sport, it was a gesture that showed she had thought about me when she picked it out. But if the recipient is just a kid and you are looking for Cadeau jongens 9  jaar, make sure to find something that most of the kids want. You can check some of the reviews online on keuzehelper.nl to see what’s the trend nowadays.

Sign it!

By all means, dedicate the book to the recipient. Say something like “For the gardener – a book of flowers” or “To my cousins on the coast – a book about life in the Midwest” or something to personalize your gift. Signing a book you give as a gift makes it even more special!

Shop in the Bargain Books, by all means!

Times are tough, and there is no shame in checking out the Bargain Books section of Barnes and Noble. Remember, just because you get a good price on something, doesn’t make it a less thoughtful selection.