Great reasons to give books as gifts (don't miss #13!)

As we fast approach Christmas and frantically search for gifts for family and friends, let me share with you a rule I have in my household when it comes to gift buying:

"Something you wear, something you need, something for fun, something you read."

I love this rule. It gives me a bit of direction when it comes to purchasing presents and prevents hours spent aimlessly wandering through department stores. I especially like that books are in their own category. I think there are lots of great reasons to give books as gifts:

1. They're easy to wrap. Unlike other awkward shaped gifts (tried wrapping a football lately?), books are nice and easy. They use minimal wrapping paper, and minimal tape.

2. They don't need to be plugged in. Avoid Christmas day tears and disappointment over gifts that need a set of batteries that weren't included, or gifts that need hours to charge before their first use. Books can literally be used as soon as they are unwrapped.

3. They don't expire. While gift vouchers and jars of home baked goodies are lovely gestures, they're no use if they get lost or packed away for a year. Books are timeless and will be just as good, even if they go missing for a while.

4. They don't go out of date. Twenty years ago, I received multiple VHS tapes for Christmas. Unfortunately, I no longer have anything to play them on. The books I received twenty years ago are still on my shelf (yes some are a little well-loved, but they're still there) and still readable.

5. One size fits all. No awkward asking for the receipt, no awkward exchanging for a larger or smaller size at the store.

6. They don't make loud noises. Parents will know the pain I'm talking about here. Books are not toy fire trucks.

7. By God's grace, a good Christian book will build the faith of your family and friends. A good Christian book can help time and time again, and as the reader travels through different seasons of life they can always learn something new.

8. Books can be shared. Don't just give them a gift they can keep to themselves. Books keep on giving as they are passed around and read by many.

9. They are aesthetically pleasing. A bookshelf full of books looks much nicer than an empty one.

10. They are sugar, gluten and dairy free. This is one gift that promises to be allergy free. And they are also low in calories.

And just a little bonus, here are three extra reasons why buying a loved one the gift of a Matthias Media book is a great idea this Christmas:

11. You can order through our online store. This means you don't even have to get dressed to do the Christmas shopping! You can also give us a call and we'll help you find the right gift.

12. We can deliver your gift for you anywhere in the world with a personalised message. All you need to do is tick the gift message checkbox in your shopping cart.

13. They are 40% off at the moment. Until midnight on Friday 19th December, 2014, you can get your books at a discounted price. And don't worry, we won't tell them you bought their gift super cheap. The sale applies to all Matthias Media resources, so you have plenty to choose from. Start shopping now on the Matthias Media online store.

So with less than a week to go, happy shopping. What a great way to help people remember the true meaning of Christmas, with a gift that grows their faith in the Saviour!

Merry Christmas!