Holiday Shopping with a Human Touch

Eight tips to get the most out of ThriftBooks this season

Holiday Tips for Shopping with a Human touch

In years past I shared my tips for ThriftBooks holiday shopping around mid-November, at which time the weather was cooler, the days shorter, and holiday lights and decorations could be seen around town in all their glory.

It's not yet November, but the holiday shopping season has begun. This year, ThriftBooks is joining in on the early fun so I’m bringing you my ThriftBooks holiday tips blog a month earlier. After all, it is never too early to start holiday shopping for new and used books at ThriftBooks.com.

To be honest, though, I’m a bit concerned about the holidays this year. Let me explain why. Everywhere we go these days, we hear about and encounter AI. AI Overviews in Google searches, AI virtual assistants, AI ads—even AI books! So I will venture to guess that our holidays this year are in danger of being taken over by AI machines. 

At ThriftBooks, we are striving to make holiday shopping more human. Every book we ship, every guide we curate, and every recommendation we make is powered by real people who love books as much as you do. Yes, we use an algorithm to help generate the personalized recommendations we provide you but that algorithm is designed and developed by a person (his name is Matt and he is amazing!).  It is not a black box piece of software that is disconnected from our business.  In short, there is a passionate, human component to everything we do.
That said, let me highlight eight ways you can make the most of your ThriftBooks holiday shopping experience.

1. Shop Our Curated Gift Guides (compiled by our book-loving employees)
   Every year, our team of readers and genre experts handpick their favorite titles for every kind of reader on your list. These aren’t AI-generated lists—they are carefully chosen stories from people who believe that a great book is the most personal gift of all.
   Whether you’re shopping for a mystery fan, a home chef, or the family historian, our Holiday Gift Guides make it easy to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. And for a closer look at what is on those lists, check out our ThriftBooks YouTube channel — where the team brings our seasonal gift guides to life in video.
2. Turn Wish Lists into Gift Lists
   Give your loved ones a little help this year or give yourself the perfect excuse to get what you really want! Your ThriftBooks Wish List can easily become a Gift List that’s shareable with family and friends. Build your Wish List and then share the link with others. It’s a great way to hint for the books you really want. If you are using a Secret Santa type of list, sharing your ThriftBooks Gift List is a great link to add to your “gift suggestion” profile.
3. Discover One-of-a-Kind Treasures
   Looking for something truly unique? Explore our Collectibles section, where every book has a story of its own. From vintage hardcovers to out-of-print editions, our Collectibles selection is perfect for those "un-giftable" friends and family members — the ones who already seem to have everything. Every item in our Collectibles section has been individually assessed, photographed and listed by the ThriftBooks team of Collectible experts, ensuring that when you gift it, you’re giving a one-of-a-kind treasure.
4. Give the Gift of New Books, at Great Prices!
   Yes, Thriftbooks is known for our used books, but we also carry millions of New books at incredible prices. You'll find the latest new releases and pre-orders right alongside beloved classics, and almost all of them ship for free within the U.S.
5. eGift Cards with Heart
   If you’re down to the wire or perhaps want to give the gift of choice, a ThriftBooks eGift Card is a perfect fit. You can send it instantly via text or email, or print it out for a more traditional gift. Personalize it with a message, photo, or even a short video — a small touch that turns convenience into connection.
6. ShareBookLove™: Give a Book, Get a Book
   Our ShareBookLove referral program is as simple (and delightful) as it sounds: when a friend makes their first purchase through your ShareBookLove™ link, you both receive a free book. There’s no limit to how many friends you can invite or how many free books you can earn — it’s our favorite way to celebrate the community of readers who make ThriftBooks special.
7. Real Rewards for Real Readers
   If you haven’t yet, join the ThriftBooks ReadingRewards® loyalty program — it’s free and full of perks that reward your reading habit. Every purchase earns points, and every 500 points gets you a free book. Plus, as you move through the program’s tiers, you’ll unlock extra bonuses and surprises, along with a higher value for your free book rewards. We love our ReadingRewards program because it is built around something real – the books you love to read.
8. Shop with Confidence and with a Brand That Cares
   With nearly 2.5 million reviews on Trustpilot, and an “Excellent” rating, it’s clear our community of readers knows what it means to shop with confidence. We’re proud to have been recognized by Newsweek as the #1 Bookseller in their 2025 Best of the Best Awards for the second consecutive year, and to be named one of Newsweek’s Best Online Shops for an incredible six years in a row.
   But what matters most isn’t the awards — it’s the people behind them. From our five U.S. processing centers to our Customer Service team, every ThriftBooks order is powered by real humans who care deeply about your experience and helping you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Stay Real

This holiday, all of us here at ThriftBooks will be keeping it real with our gift guides and gifting inspiration. No AI, just pure authenticity and a shared passion that books really do make the perfect, personalized gifts for everyone on your list. Happy Shopping!

Read more by Barbara Hagen