Pleasure in the Pages: Giving the Gift of a Ghostwritten Book This Christmas
December 6, 2024
With the holiday season upon us, the search for the perfect gift has begun. This year, think beyond the typical and give something truly extraordinary: a custom ghostwritten book.
Whether it’s a family recipe collection, a memoir, a family history book, or a personalized story, these unique gifts preserve cherished memories and celebrate the people you hold dear.
Let’s take a look at a few ideas for ghostwritten books as presents that your family and friends will never forget…
1. Family History Book
A family history book is the ultimate tribute to your heritage, offering a way to connect past, present, and future generations. Jennifer Rizzo, a ghostwriter experienced in family history projects, emphasizes that the best books include family lore, traditions, and the challenges your ancestors overcame. These elements make the stories not only personal but meaningful.
Researching your family’s history can feel overwhelming, but Rizzo suggests starting small: “Focus on a specific family line or a particular family member. Narrowing the scope makes it easier to create a quality book.”
Remember to include family photos, old letters, and documents, as these will further help bring the stories to life, ultimately making the book a treasure trove of memories.
Family history books make an excellent gift for parents, grandparents, or even younger family members curious about their roots. They preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten, ensuring your family’s legacy endures.
2. Memoir of a Loved One’s Life
Going about your day, it’s easy to believe that the life you have is, for the most part, unremarkable and quite ordinary. To future generations, however, your experiences might be entirely novel. Every life holds moments of significance—lessons learned, challenges faced, and joys celebrated—that can resonate deeply with those who come after you.
What might seem routine today could become a source of inspiration and connection for future generations.
Memoirs connect deeply with recipients because they celebrate lives and legacies.
Rizzo shares, “The best family history books and memoirs connect younger generations to older ones, giving them an appreciation for their ancestors’ challenges and triumphs.”
Whether brief or expansive, a memoir is a meaningful way to honor someone you love.
A memoir crafted by a professional ghostwriter can be as simple as a Q&A keepsake or as detailed as a life-spanning narrative.
For a surprise gift, gather stories from friends and family to create a heartfelt tribute without your subject even knowing.
3. Legacy Book with Life Lessons and Advice
A legacy book allows loved ones to share life lessons, advice, or cherished memories in their own words. These can take many forms—collections of letters, stories paired with photographs, or even creative formats like a children’s book or a scrapbook.
A fun example of this idea can be seen in the hit show Modern Family, where Phil Dunphy creates Phil’s-osophy, a book filled with his unique wisdom and quirky life lessons.
While the rest of the family might find Phil’s book humorous and lighthearted, it nonetheless captures the essence of what a legacy book can be: a way to preserve one’s perspective and share it with loved ones.
Ghostwriters can act as project managers in these scenarios, helping to organize thoughts, conduct interviews, and create a polished final product. Rizzo points out, “Legacy books are limitless. They can share family traditions, wisdom, or simply celebrate the fascinating life of a loved one.”
4. A Personalized Adventure Story
For a touch of whimsy, consider a personalized romance, adventure, or fantasy story that casts your loved ones as the main characters. This type of book merges creativity with sentimentality, offering a gift that’s as fun as it is personal.
Looking at another example from TV, in the much-loved show, The Office, Pam surprises Jim with a custom comic book.
Pam’s thoughtful gesture is a great example of how a personalized story can make a very thoughtful gift.
In the same vein, a custom romance novel allows your significant other to star as the protagonist in their very own love story, complete with a fun storyline and added personal details.
Personalized children’s books have been around for many years, but they will always be a hit at Christmas. Simply provide your child’s name (and the names of a few friends), and they create an entire storybook featuring your little one as the star. These books are a wonderful way to spark a child’s imagination while giving them a keepsake they’ll treasure for years.
A ghostwriter can be the secret weapon you need to come up with a unique and special book for your loved one. Share your vision, be open to creative suggestions, and work together to create a narrative that’s uniquely yours.
6. Customized Cookbook with Treasured Family Recipes
Ana Bester, a creative content creator, transformed her family’s favorite recipes into a book and discovered how deeply it resonated with her loved ones. “Her face when she received the book will stay with me,” Ana said of her grandmother’s reaction. The project has become a family heirloom, preserving traditions and culinary memories for future generations.
It’s good to remember that family recipe books go beyond cooking—they tell stories.
That’s why it’s important to include not just the recipes but photos of family gatherings, anecdotes, or even notes about the origin of recipes to make the book more personal.
Ana explains, “Life is so quick and fast; the next generation is losing that connection.” A recipe book captures both the flavors and the heart of your family’s traditions.
Final Tips for Ghostwritten Books as Gifts
When planning to give a ghostwritten book as a gift, start by discussing the process with the ghostwriter to understand what’s involved and to estimate the timeline. For the most polished result, it’s best to plan this gift well in advance to allow enough time for interviews, writing, and revisions.
Another important consideration is the recipient’s preferences, especially when gifting someone their life story. Ensure they feel comfortable with the process and safe sharing memories and personal details.
Finally, decide on the print options. Print-on-demand services are a great choice for creating hardcover versions that become cherished keepsakes. Some people even opt to self-publish a small batch of copies for family members.
Ghostwritten books can be a unique way to show appreciation and capture memories that last a lifetime. A professional ghostwriter will help ensure that the final book is polished, meaningful, and true to your vision––not to mention an unforgettable gift that your family will love.
