Looking for the perfect gift for Christmas? The answer is simple – give a book! From that friend who 'has everything' to the perfect present for grandkids and those big kids in your life – we have you covered with this WYZA gift guide.
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” – Garrison Keillor
For that super-smart friend who has ‘everything’
The Code Book: The Secret History of Codes and Code-breaking
The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography From the best-selling author of Fermat's Last Theorem, The Code Book is a history of man's urge to uncover the secrets of codes, from Egyptian puzzles to modern day computer encryptions.
As in Fermat's Last Theorem, Simon Singh brings life to an astonishing story of puzzles, codes, languages and riddles that reveals man's continual pursuit to disguise and uncover, and to work out the secret languages of others. Codes have influenced events throughout history, both in the stories of those who make them and those who break them.
The betrayal of Mary Queen of Scots and the cracking of the enigma code that helped the Allies in World War II are major episodes in a continuing history of cryptography. In addition to stories of intrigue and warfare, Simon Singh also investigates other codes, the unravelling of genes and the rediscovery of ancient languages and most tantalisingly, the Beale ciphers, an unbroken code that could hold the key to a $20 million treasure.
“Books make great gifts because they have whole world’s inside of them. And it’s much cheaper to buy somebody a book then it is to buy them the whole world!” – Neil Giaman
For your friend who always forwards you cute cat pictures
Tiny Hats on Cats
Last autumn, writer and illustrator Adam Ellis adopted a little three-legged kitten named Maxwell. They don't know how he lost his limb, but Adam assumes it was a shark attack, like that surfing girl in Hawaii. (Just kidding.)
One day, after coming across a pack of coloured paper, Adam started crafting tiny hats for Maxwell and posting pictures of them on Instagram. People loved it so much that he made another one, and another. Before long, he had made a few dozen and they exploded in popularity-Adam's hats were featured on The Huffington Post, E!Online, Buzzfeed UK, Jezebel, Reddit and more!
“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” – Ben Carson
For kids under 10 (and big kids who love Christmas!)
No 1 Christmas Colouring Book for Adults & Kids: 39 Different Christmas Illustrations to Colour in for Both Adults and Children
Within the pages of this festive colouring book you will find 39 different Christmas illustrations to colour in for both adults and children alike. Just colour and complete the Christmas-themed patterns and fill the festive season with creative fun.
Perfect for cold winter evenings and for getting well and truly into the Christmas spirit, this book will get you feeling creative and festive in no time.
“When you give someone a book you don’t give him just paper ink and glue you give him the possibility of a whole new world.” – Christopher Marley
For a boy aged 10+
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School
The Diary of the Wimpy Kid series of books, by best-selling author Jeff Kinney, charts the highs and lows of our middle school hero, Greg, as he stumbles and fumbles from childhood to teenhood via school-hood.
Sometimes helped by his friends and family, often not helped by himself! Life was better in the old days. Or was it? That's the question Greg Heffley is asking as his town voluntarily unplugs and goes electronics-free.
But modern life has its conveniences, and Greg isn't cut out for an old-fashioned world. With tension building inside and outside the Heffley home, will Greg find a way to survive? Or is going 'old school' just too hard for a kid like Greg?
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
For a girl aged 10+
Roman Holiday
In Roman Holiday, Natalie has always wanted to be an actress, so when she wins a place at a prestigious acting summer school in Rome, she thinks it's a dream come true . . . until she meets Veronica, her drama-queen roommate.
Veronica is sure she's the only one at the school destined for stardom. She's determined to get attention from everyone-especially the father she hardly ever sees. This summer is sure to be filled with new friends, excitement, crushes and, most of all, drama!
“There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favourite book.” – Marcel Proust
For Mum
The Japanese Lover
What’s the story? From internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende comes an exquisitely crafted love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from present-day San Francisco to Poland and the United States during WWII.
In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis and the world goes to war, young Alma Belasco's parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco. There she meets Ichimei Fukuda, the son of the family's Japanese gardener, and between them a tender love blossoms.
Following Pearl Harbor, the two are cruelly pulled apart when Ichimei and his family – like thousands of Japanese Americans – are declared enemies by the US government and relocated to internment camps. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love they are forever forced to hide from the world.
“In a good book the best is between the lines” – Swedish proverb
For Dad
Fast Food for Busy Families: More than 100 quick and easy paleo recipes
Much-loved Australian chef Pete Evans shows that the paleo way of eating and living doesn't have to be time-consuming or costly, with over 100 no-fuss meals for busy people. Fast Food for Busy Families is packed full of delicious and nourishing recipes – most of which can be made in around 30 minutes.
Pete also proves that saving time doesn't mean cutting down on flavour – he shows you how to make the most of spices, herbs and good fats to bring flavour to even the simplest of dishes.
All of the recipes are full of fresh veg, ethically farmed meats, sustainable seafood, nuts and seeds, and completely free from grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes. It's never been so easy to eat well, and look and feel amazing
“I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books.” – Jorge Luis Borges
For Grandma
Benedict Cumberstitch: Crossstitch Mr Cumberbatch in 15 Great Patterns
It’s time to get stitching! Benedict Cumberstitch is your unofficial guide to creating a series of amazing cross stitch designs featuring the Cumberbatch in all his glory.
Beginners can quickly pick up the simple yet addictive art of cross stitch, and seasoned stitchers will be delighted by the range of designs on offer.
Whether you want to see him smouldering in a tuxedo, delivering a soliloquy as Hamlet, or photobombing with the best of them, there’s sure to be patterns here to satisfy even the most dedicated of Cumberbatch fans.
“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” – Maya Angelou
For Grandpa
DIY Garden Projects: The Little Veggie Patch Co
Practical projects for small-space edible gardening and backyard fun from the much-loved Little Veggie Patch co. The book has 6 chapters – Kids, Recycled/Upcyled, X-Factor, Vertical Gardening, Gardening basics and Kitchen.
There are 38 projects, and each chapter includes a break-out ‘patch favourite’ feature project. Projects range from the incredibly quick and simple, such as a self-watering milk-carton planter, how to grow micro-herbs and milk-crate planter boxes to large-scale building projects such as making vertical gardens from pallets, creating your own hops tower for home beer brewing and how to build an ultimate cubby house from recycled apple crates.
The book is written in the funny and approachable style associated with the Little Veggie Patch Co , with clear step-by-step instructions with fun, colourful photographs illustrating each step. This is the first Veggie Patch Co. book to be so specifically focussed on DIY projects.
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” – Oscar Wilde
Other great gift ideas
Too cute! Why not gift this 2016 Yoga Dogs Calendar? Get it here
You can also give a gift of your favourite magazine to someone you love so they can enjoy it all year round, a diary, stationery or even a gorgeous calendar.