So, given the recent kerfluffle about people entering contests too much, feel free to disregard this one but my books are my prized possessions and I had to write this.

I love love LOVE this!

I was a rare and antique book dealer, many moons ago, and am happily wrapped in a sever case of bibliophilia so I can't agree more that books are something to be treasured.

When I was a child, back when dirt was the latest and greatest thing, I made a promise to myself that I would read at least an hour a day. For pleasure! Not just the newspaper or the like. I'm still proud to say that since the age of 12 I have done just that. I will go without sleep for an hour just so that I can read.

Good on you for this one. Good on you tea.

---

The books that I want EVERY child to read are a bit. . . different.

I recently fell in love with Pat Rothfuss and have devoured his books as soon as they come out. His latest release is something of a departure. A small novela called The Slow Regard of Silent Things in which a minor character from his main series is spotlit in a unique way.

This book, in my opinion, can (and does) help children to understand that different isn't always bad. That feelings are both important and personal. That sometimes having things be just right is the right thing to do. The language isn't difficult, it's a BLAST to read out loud with someone, and can be enjoyed by just about every genre reader of any age!

My next choice is a more traditional choice for children. But not for the traditional reasons!

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!

This is one that I think is so overlooked by people of every age. And that's so sad for me. Carroll may, well. . . let's be honest here he DID, have some issues but something that I think he got spot on was his ability to make both the absurd and silly MEANINGFUL though his words and stories!

Through all the adventures and the creatures and the characters something that is telling throughout the whole of the story. . . Being a child is fun! It should be fun! Because if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong!

I have personally read these stories dozens of times. For myself, for my nieces and nephews, and more again for me!

Last choice is one that I may have to defend here.

The greatest introduction to space, sci-fi, fantasy, and. . . towels!

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Gude to the Galaxy by the amazing Douglas Adams!

In my opinion the story alone is broad enough to engage children, as well as young adults, as well as teens, due to the simplicity of characters and the variety of situations.

But!

The more often you read these books the better they get! The more you learn about the world at large the funnier the books get!

When I first read Hitchhiker's I was a mere lad of 10 and thought it was a cute book. When I read it again at age 16 I thought it was hysterical! At 21 it was a thought provoking comedy in the vein of Shakespeare! At 25 I thought 21 year old me was a tool, but thought the books were great!

The more you read them, or have them read to you, the better they get!

---

I also wanted to point out this article on the front page of /r/books from the NYT that talk about one of the best things you can do for a child is to own books. Shelves full of books!

So thank you for doing this. Thank you very much.

Another gift for my two little cousins would be awesome. Here is a link to an item they'd love: http://www.amazon.com/POOF-Slinky-Scientific-Explorer-Science-Activities/dp/B000NQMAFO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418961487&sr=8-2&keywords=science+kit

I was able to obtain a gift for them through the ebaygives, but a second gift for them would be awesome. They don't have any grandparents to spoil them as they have all passed away, so anything extra for them would be awesome. The oldest is 13 and the youngest is around 7, and unfortunately he doesn't even have any memories of his grandparents as the last of them passed away while he was just months old.

Thank yall so much for doing what you do, and giving those less fortunate than others an opportunity to enjoy Christmas. The generosity of people in these Christmas subs is awesome!

Book!!! This kind of contest is absolutely right up my alley! LOVE your creativity! The book I'd want would be for my grandmother and I'd want it to say "GROW" or "INSPIRE" whichever is easier (cause holy wow this is such a crazy skill to me!) My grandmother and I used to read together every night when I was a little girl, and she is someone I always share my writings with. One of the things we share is a love of sunflowers; we talk about how they are inspiring because they push through the cracks in the sidewalk and keep growing. I'd take the book and probably paint the covers so it had a sunflower design on it to add some more meaning to the whole design. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift.

​

For myself, because I can't lie I'd love for you to spoil me, I also have a book-- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998701912/?coliid=IBO8C197NIWB2&colid=10Q8AAZ2BQVW6&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it-- in mind. This journal is something I've wanted for a while, and I think it would be amazing to start being able to log my positive experiences come the new year. And my fun fact about myself is I'm a high school teacher who looks 16 and started teaching in Oakland at a continuation school with kids a few years younger than me. It was insane...insanely amazing.

​

Thank you for having this contest! Happy holidays to you and yours!

This is truly awesome of you - You are a true Elf!

I'm sorry I am laughing about finals but it just brought back major memories. I think I did about 90% of my college work in the last two weeks of the semester. Oh those were the days (ha ha).

Good luck with the finals. :D

------------------

And don’t forget. When you report your gifts [here](
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pVtmGw2qjbsjWkjbRU0ZSe3j07xkFrrbBNi6jbtShr8/viewform) you will be automatically entered to win our grand prize.

This year’s winner has a choice of:

• 40" Color LED Television
  
  
• Apple iPad mini 2 with Retina Display
  
  
• Nintendo New 3DS XL Black
  
  
• A $200 gift certificate at the store of your choice
  
  Thank you and have a blessed holiday season. :D
  
  
  -----
  
  

What an awesome offer! - This would also make a really cool contest, say have the kiddo write a short story (say 3 paragraphs) and submit it as the entry...

One of the very best books I have ever read on writing was this one by Stephen King it was informative and humorous all at the same time.

__
Thank you so much for being an awesome Santa. You are the reason this place works and so many special memories are made. This is what Christmas is really all about.

We would sure appreciate it if you would report these gifts HERE

You'll be automatically entered in our grand prize drawing on Christmas Day.

This Year’s Grand Prize is a Choice Between:


Inspiron 14 3000 Non-Touch Laptop


THE COFFEE LOVER’S PACKAGE


Nintendo New 3DS XL Special Edition

A $200 Gift Certificate to the Store of Your Choice

https://www.amazon.com/Ambielly-Winter-Vintage-Colorful-SD10004A/dp/B07DB5XN23/ref=sr_1_28?dchild=1&keywords=womens+winter+socks&qid=1574193415&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-28I could definitely use warm socks. My boots are cheap and old but my little loves being outside, this mamas toes freeze!, LOL but she is worth it. Thanks for the chance, good luck everyone!