How to Christmas Shop Through Your Local Library

Children's books, movies and music make the best holiday gifts because they provide year round enjoyment for those who receive them. However, getting the perfect book or movie for that special little someone is always a test of patience in an already crowded book and video store. So why not let your local library help you in your choices. After all, who knows children better than the children's section of your library?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a trip to your local library
• notebook with children's names listed
• pen
• the Internet

How to Christmas Shop Through Your Local Library

1. A new list of hundreds of recommended children's book titles is made available monthly at your local library. A special list is compiled for Christmas and other holidays. This also goes for movies, musical videos and audio books.

2. The list is usually annotated and divided into various categories such as books for infants and toddlers, preschoolers and young readers including pre-teens.

3. Not sure if the person on your Christmas list a reader? The library list is also divided for crafts, hobbies and activities, history and biography, science and nature, poetry, music and art along with seasonal selections.

4. In addition, there is also a list of perennial favorites for all ages, which includes classic reading and series books of enduring popularity.

5. Librarians select each title on that list for its timeless quality and lasting appeal.

6. Make notes of which books, music or movies each child on your list may be interested in. Ask questions if you have them from the librarians who are not holiday stressed and can give you the time you need.

7. Seek out the materials in the proper departments and look them over. Put a star by the ones that you feel would make the perfect gift.

8. Now, with that little bit of homework you've done, you are armed for the book and video store. Simply go to the counter and give them your list. They will assist you and before you know it, that part of your Christmas shopping is done!

9. While you are at the library--particularly if you are shopping for a preschooler or pre-teenager--why not get them a library card as a gift. Check with their parents to see if they have one first.

10. Remember that libraries also have computers where children can play games which helps them with dexterity.

Tips & Warnings

• The Holiday list is also useful year round for gift giving or to use as a guide to good literature when visiting the library with the children.
• A free copy of the list can also be taken to the parent in order to make sure not to duplicate books and music the child already owns.
• What better gift than to take the child to the library personally during a long winter or hot summer and let them explore?
• The list is also available on line if the library has a website. The only downside to this is that you cannot go to the library section to view the projected purchase personally.