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Best reads for Christmas - win £600 of books

(602 Posts)
CariGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 14-Nov-18 09:51:32

It's that time of year again (hurrah) and time for our best reads for Christmas page...great gift ideas to cater for every taste. Recommendations include fiction, non-fiction, cookery, quizzes and more.

And one very lucky person can win the lot...worth almost £600.

Simply tell us on this thread which gift you are most looking forward to giving this Christmas. It can be big, small, homemade, expensive or free. After all, it's the thought that counts.

Usual Gransnet terms and conditions apply. A winner will be drawn at random at midday on Wednesday 12 December.

Sararose Sat 17-Nov-18 19:33:46

I am an avid reader so will give everyone books! I particularly love choosing books for my great grandson who is six. I might also buy him a special writing book so he can write me some stories. His spelling is wonderful - he recently wrote that he loved his granny and grandad more than ISESCREEM !

Lotie Sat 17-Nov-18 20:37:26

I’m looking forward to having our four grandchildren together. They are aged seven down to two and we give them each a stocking and then their main presents after the meal. It’s lovely to see them having fun as they get on well together.

Heather51 Sat 17-Nov-18 20:41:30

I’m really looking forward to seeing my grandchildren’s faces when they unwrap the play kitchen we have bought them. I’m sure Mum and Dad will enjoy all the meals that will be ‘cooked’ for them.?

grandmac Sat 17-Nov-18 20:57:27

Happy Socks for my son and sons in law. The brighter the better. (and they do like them!)

grannydarkhair Sat 17-Nov-18 21:01:12

My best friend's youngest son, 32, very recently died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia within six months of being diagnosed. Her oldest sibling, a brother aged 70, had a fatal Cardiac Arrest whilst on holiday in Spain three weeks later. I can't think of anything that will help her pain except time and love so that's the gifts I wish upon her this coming Christmas. I'll be spending the day with part of my family and will appreciate them even more than usual.

Albangirl14 Sat 17-Nov-18 21:32:15

I love Christmas Eve when the shops are shut and we are cosy at home with family and the tree lights on . All thefun to come and the planning and shopping over!

Bikerhiker Sat 17-Nov-18 22:37:52

I am going to give my lovely mum a smallish pink rucksack. She kept saying she fancied one so she could be hands free when she walks around gardens, however, someone then said that older ladies should never carry rucksack because they are for young people. This put her off. Well, if mum wants a rucksack she is jolly well going to have one!

jacalpad Sun 18-Nov-18 05:42:50

I am looking forward to a pre-Christmas gift I am giving my two daughters: one has a birthday very close to Christmas. As a treat for the three of us, I am taking them both to London and have booked lunch in the Shard. I suspect we may then go Christmas shopping in central London. They have no idea where we are going or what we are doing. All will be revealed on the day! It will be such a treat for us all to have fun time together - a whole day!

Billybob4491 Sun 18-Nov-18 06:10:57

My friend and I are devoted knitters, so for a surprise I have knitted her a dolly dumpling standing at the shop counter which is covered in balls of wool. At her feet is a basket full of wool, and in her hands are yet another bagful of wool. I have also added a pattern book to rest on top of the counter. My friend is 89, have enjoyed knitting this and know she will be delighted with it.

noahsark Sun 18-Nov-18 07:58:39

I'm so looking forward to seeing my grandson's little face light up when he sees the scooter under his tree. He's very excited & hoping Father Christmas will bring him one

PamRob Sun 18-Nov-18 08:09:27

My daughter, son-in-law and I have made a barn out of cardboard complete with stalls and a tack room for my granddaughters! They are both crazy about horses.. especially the eldest one! We are giving it to them on Christmas Day with a bundle of horses we bought! It has turned out really well, and tbh you wouldn’t realise it was made from cardboard! Lol x grin

50socks Sun 18-Nov-18 09:35:26

my eldest son is struggling financially so we have agreed no presents this year except for my grandson, we will be pooling the food and drink between us and having a great time together playing games and cards

Reebs456 Sun 18-Nov-18 11:32:33

Finishing my manuscript would be the best gift I could give myself.

colettem Sun 18-Nov-18 12:05:21

I can’t wait to give my daughter How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. I think she’s finally old enough to read the rude bits without dying of embarrassment!

bookiemad15 Sun 18-Nov-18 12:57:48

Just looking forward to spending time as a family. Hopefully there will be a book or two under the tree. Well I know there will as I make sure I have something good to read over Christmas.

grannysmith953 Sun 18-Nov-18 15:52:36

My grandson is a bookworm and has just started a new series of books - I’ve found him one signed by the author, he’ll be so pleased.

Mapleleaf Sun 18-Nov-18 17:10:48

I'm looking forward to placing a gift under the tree at church for a child in need. We do it every year.

Chevlette Sun 18-Nov-18 17:20:07

Money is always tight but we are blessed to have love in abundance. I tend to buy bits through the year & paint something for my children & grand children. Books always feature as we are all avid readers.
We are going to our eldest daughters for Christmas this year, she lives on an army base with her husband & their beautiful new daughter. Our son is also on the same base so he will be there too. To make life easier for new mum, we are bringing all the food (she picked the menu) ready prepared & pre cooked or part cooked where possible, with lots of extra nibbles too.
We will be doing the same for our other daughter at New Year too as she loved this idea.

micky987 Sun 18-Nov-18 17:26:34

I’ll be giving a copy of Alchemy to one of the homeless people I give supplies to on Xmas morning.

skyedog Sun 18-Nov-18 17:34:54

Family all going away together for Christmas - big splurge to celebrate my retirement, our 40th Wedding Anniversary and Christmas all within 4 days!
Looking forward to giving books for the wee ones - always buy English and Scots versions if I can, plus Spanish bi-lingual for one granddaughter. Got tights for the girls - only because my girls went through loads of tights and every Christmas my mother in law always gave me a Marks and Spencers gift voucher for myself and I always bought the girls loads of school tights with it. So Christmas for me equals tights! Also got them pyjamas and a small toy each (watch for one, knitted story characters for another. Experiences for everyone else - vouchers for afternoon tea or manicure etc. Hubby always gets a bottle of port just because my mum always gave him one so I continued! Traditions, traditions. When it comes down to it, no-one really needs anything - being together is the main thing.

annodomini Sun 18-Nov-18 17:41:11

I asked GS (11 before Christmas) what he wanted as a gift. 'Loads of money', he said. So as well as a 'small' cash donation, I think I will provide him with a wallet to keep it in.

julietk Sun 18-Nov-18 18:43:40

I have bought my brother some very old cufflinks (mediaeval/17th century) as he uses cufflinks and loves history. Looking forward to seeing his face...

Grannyjacq1 Sun 18-Nov-18 19:21:57

I am really forward to the presence of my 5 grandchildren at Xmas, and watching them unwrap the pyjamas and books I have bought for them.

kezia Mon 19-Nov-18 08:00:29

My partner and I are giving a friend new pyjamas, cashmere bed socks and the soon to be released triple album of David Bowie Live at Glastonbury. She was at the original concert so we thought she might like to relieve the experience but in comfort this time sitting in front of the fire at home wink

blubber Mon 19-Nov-18 10:04:45

A home made Christmas cake to an old friend. It is much appreciated as he does not bake.