A Book as a Gift: Who to Give It To and What to Write Inside

A book as a gift is an old and good gesture. But there is a way to take it one step further: instead of a book somebody else wrote, a book written about the person receiving it, with your memories and with them in the illustrations. Here are ten ideas for who to give one to, and what to write in the inscription so it stays.

Ten people a book as a gift suits

  • Mom, for a milestone birthday. The book about the things she did that nobody ever thanked her for.
  • Dad, who already has everything. A book about his three pieces of wisdom that became a family joke.
  • Grandparents, from the grandchildren. The stories they tell at every family dinner, finally written down.
  • A partner, for an anniversary. From the first meeting to the morning of today.
  • Your best friend, for her 40th birthday. With that one story nobody is allowed to tell.
  • A coworker retiring after years. A book from the team, with up to four people in the illustrations.
  • A newlywed couple, for the wedding. Their story as you saw it from the sidelines.
  • A child who just got a baby brother. A children's book in which he is the hero who looks after the little one.
  • A teacher at the end of the school year. Instead of another scented candle.
  • Yourself. A book about the year you just had, so you do not forget it.

What to write in the inscription

A good inscription is short, specific, and in your voice. Three examples:

  • "To Grandma, who taught us that first we eat and then we talk. From the grandkids."
  • "To Dana, twenty years and we still have not agreed on the thermostat. Love, Mark."
  • "To Dad. No, we are not stopping on the way to pick up bagels. Love, all of us."

Avoid a generic inscription like "With love, for your birthday." It fits every book, so it does not fit this one.

How to make a book written about the gift's recipient

At Magical Book you upload a clear photo of each person who will be in the book, answer seven short questions (the occasion, the tone, three memories, places and hobbies, and a closing sentence), and within about a minute you get a ten-page story. You edit what you want, see a free illustrated sample of the cover and two pages, and only then order: a hardcover book, 21 pages. You can see current prices on the create page.

A personal gift book for adults, or a children's book where the child is the hero. With both, you see a sample before you pay.

Questions about a book as a gift

Does a book as a gift suit someone who does not read? In fact, yes. A book about themselves is easy to read even for someone who does not read much.

Can I add real photos? In the illustrated book, the people appear in illustrations based on the photos. If you want the photos themselves, there is a ten-page version with your real photos.

What do I write when I have no words? You answer seven short questions in simple words. We do the phrasing, and you fix whatever does not sound like you.

How much does a book as a gift cost? The price depends on the type of book and your country, and shipping is shown separately. The exact amounts are displayed before you pay, and the sample is free.

Can I ship it straight to the recipient? Yes. In the shipping address, enter their address.