Have Yourself an Analog Holiday

This season, ThriftBooks invites you to give the most present gift

Time goes by so fast. I say this all the time, and I feel it, too. My twin girls are seniors in college, my son is a senior in high school, and now, somehow, 2026 is nearly behind us and another holiday season is just weeks away.

So where does the time actually go? Too often, into our screens. Social media, influencer videos, snaps, podcasts, group texts, the scroll that starts as a minute and ends as an evening. Nobody sits down and decides to spend two hours on their socials. But we begin… and there we are. Of course, it isn’t all bad. There are real connections in those feeds (I enjoy keeping up with my girls through their Snaps), and I’ve also found more than one great book recommendation on a podcast. There can be value there.

Unlike getting lost in endless scrolls, reading is an intentional act. Picking up a book, curling up on the sofa (cat optional, but highly preferred), and giving thirty minutes to a few chapters is a choice. And when we finish, we feel good about where the time went. We got lost in a story, and we walked away feeling like it was time well spent. For a young reader, one of the proudest feelings might be finishing a few chapters, or even an entire book!

So, what if you could wrap up that feeling of time well spent and give it to someone?

You can. That’s what a book is…that whole feeling, printed and bound, sitting quietly in your hands until you pass it on.

So let’s spend a little less time in the digital atmosphere and a little more time on purpose.  Today, ThriftBooks invites you to join us in making this holiday an Analog Holiday.

What is An Analog Holiday?

The idea is simple: gift a book to people on your holiday list. A book they can touch, feel, and hold. And when you do, you gift more than a book. You gift presence. You gift a quiet moment. A present thoughtfully chosen by you, for someone you care about — and not one more hour of passive scrolling.

Our Analog Holiday Mantra:

Some gifts light up. Some gifts ping.

This one just waits, patiently, the way good things do,

for a quiet hour and a soft chair,

A book asks nothing of the person you love

except that they be exactly where they are.

And no technology will ever replace reading to a child in your lap.

No password. No charger. No update required.

Just a story, chosen by you, for them —

brand new or well loved, printed on real paper,

wrapped by your own two hands.

The most authentic gift there is.

And here’s the secret every reader knows:

a book never stays just a book.

In their hands, it can become something more:

an escape, a new life, me time, a best friend.

You’ll find the perfect one for them

among the millions of titles at ThriftBooks.

Give the most present gift.

Not sure where to start? Our new holiday gift guides are live today compiled to help you find the one book, out of over 13 million titles, that will mean the most to each person on your list.

Take the Analog Holiday Pledge

We’re not asking you to sign in blood, just in ink. Join us and take the pledge: this holiday, give at least one gift that’s chosen by you (not an algorithm), made of real paper, wrapped by hand, with something written inside. Print the pledge card below, sign it the analog way, and share it on social with #AnalogHoliday, tagging @ThriftBooks.

Something special coming soon

Pledge-takers will be the first to know when we unveil something exciting for your holiday coming soon. That’s all we’ll say for now. Make sure you’re opted in to our email and SMS updates so you don’t miss out.

#ShareBookLove

An Analog Holiday works best when we all join in. With the ThriftBooks ShareBookLove program you can earn free books by introducing friends to ThriftBooks. And if you’re a creator, our newly re-launched affiliate and influencer program is open! Join today, build your own holiday recommendations list, share your selections tagged with your affiliate link, and earn a commission. Here is how to join our influencer affilate program.  

Long live the book-shaped gift

When I was a kid, we’d shake wrapped presents and try to guess what was inside. The book-shaped gift never fooled anyone, but that was the best part. You always know when it’s a book. You just don’t know what it will become. An escape? A new obsession? A welcome hour of quiet time?

So, here’s my wish for your holiday: let’s give the people we love fewer minutes lost to the scroll and more hours lost in a story. A gift you wrapped yourself, with a short note inside so they always remember who it came from. Under the tree, on the mantel, or in the gift pile — at least one unmistakable, book-shaped gift, and inside it, the best hours of their winter.

Time will fly either way. This year let’s spend it on purpose.

Long live the book-shaped gift. Take the pledge, browse the gift guides, and have yourself a wonderful analog holiday!

Read more by Barbara Hagen