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This year, show your grandmother or grandfather than you spent some extra time thinking about them, and find a special book that reflects something important about their own life. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• If you live far away, send them a book about the city or country that you live in, and take the opportunity to tell them about your favorite places and neighborhoods. They'll feel closer to you, and they'll feel that they're sharing something about your life.
• Find a book that was published the year your grandparent was born, or that was a bestseller that year or at some time during their younger life. You can bring back some memories, and even buy a first edition or copy that was printed in the original year for extra drama. [Bestsellers Throughout the 20th Century]
• If your grandparents emigrated from another country, find them a rare or out-of-print book from their country or city of birth. You can find some amazing treasures from our booksellers all over the world, and for a special touch, even purchase the book from a local bookseller in your grandparent's birth city.
• Find a book in your grandparents' native language to show them that your heritage is important to you. Visit Abebooks en Español for Spanish book ideas.
• Buy your grandmother a cookbook that was published when she was a young housewife (for example in the 1940s). The Betty Crocker guides are always good for a special Christmas cookie recipe, and the "helpful hints" will spark lots of animated memories about "the good old days". Holding a cookbook that has time-traveled 40 or 50 years can be an incredibly emotional experience. [Cookbooks]
• If your grandparents were directly involved in a major historical experience such as a World War, the Depression, Emancipation, Civil Rights activities, etc., find a book from that time or about that time that relates to their personal experience.
• Look for biographies about famous people that touched your grandparents' lives or inspired them in some way – consider film stars, politicians, musicians, industrial leaders, sports figures, authors, astronauts – these life stories can make great gifts for older readers with shared experience. And at Abebooks it's often very easy to find an autographed copy that will make the gift extra special!
• Take a look in your grandparents' library – are they collecting certain authors or subjects? Add a special title, whether it's the newest Iris Murdoch, a rare Dickens title, or a handsomely bound Easton Press item.
• Signed copies are also wonderful additions to a collection. [Visit our Signed Gallery]