How to Buy an Atlas as a Gift

An atlas makes a wonderful gift for both real and armchair travelers. Atlases have evolved into specialty books that include political, historical, economic and ecological information about a specific region.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Atlases
• Gift Cards
• Maps
• Phrase Books
• Restaurant Dining Guides
• Travel Guides
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper

1. Choose a basic reference atlas for a general overview of the area covered. You may want an atlas that focuses on, for example, North America, the world, or a specific state or country.
2. Select a road atlas if the recipient does a lot of driving, or plans to when visiting a foreign destination.
3. Look for a specialty atlas for a person with specific interests. For example, you can buy a gourmet atlas, a historical atlas of the Holocaust, a historical atlas of Israel, etc.
4. Determine the size of the atlas you want. A folio-sized atlas might be appropriate for a collector, while a pocket-sized atlas would be appreciated by the traveler.
5. Consider giving a phrase book or restaurant guide along with the atlas, if the recipient is planning to visit a specific country.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to pay between $15 and $100, depending on the scope and size of the atlas you choose.