One for the Books

For Week 10 in 52 Love, buy your partner a book. This is not the time to gift that book you think he needs to read. You want him to feel appreciated, not judged. Try a selection from his favorite author. If he owns the whole collection, buy a book about that author. No favorite scribe? Find a book on a topic he likes. Make it clear that you have thought about his interests and searched for something that would suit him.

Take it one step further and read the book in tandem so he has a discussion partner. This tells him that you are aware of his tastes, and those tastes are important to you. Translation: he is important to you.

As with any gift, proper presentation morphs it from mundane to memorable. It’s easy to say it’s the thought that counts, but fancy packaging represents the extent of that thought. Whether you arrange it with tissue paper in a gift bag or dress it with decorative wrap, your personal touch provides a special boost that speaks the volumes between, “I found this while out shopping for myself” versus “I did this on purpose because I love you.”

Maximize his pleasure by including a custom bookmark. One of life’s small annoyances is trying to find something to mark your place when you start a new book. Bonus points if you purchase book and accessories at a local indie bookstore instead of online. A) With no email announcing its arrival, he won’t see it coming. B) Your in-person purchase is one more effort you made to personalize the gift.

Best of all, books can be enjoyed again and again. The gift itself lasts a lifetime, as does the memory of receiving it. And every time he sees the book, reads it, recalls the content, or uses your customized bookmark, he’ll associate the fond memory of your gesture.

If you try this intimacy tip or have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments. For weekly suggestions on how to show your partner love, sign up for my blog, 52 Love, in the sidebar.  (This post was updated since its original publication on March 14, 2019.)