Magazines as gifts

[Rene Schweitzer]

Do you give hobby magazines as gifts? I don't necessarily mean only train magazines, but other hobbies too.

[Tom The Brat]

On my budget? Maybe gumballs, but that would be a stretch[:D]

[bman36]

Hey Rene,
Not as of yet...but I know someone who did! [;)] Later eh...Brian. [:D]

[Anonymous]

no.in real terms they have nothing to offer.
Most railroad enthusiasts have a common ground with regard to advancement.If things stay stagnant too long the hobby will feed on itself.The main power,battery power wrangle has been perpetuated for far too long.
Is there any real answer (apart from the people that deal with the product.)
Track power.
Battery power.
I've watched this forum long enough to anticipate the answers from the few 'that seem to matter'
It's a shame that the hobby has to suffer from the 'shaysters'

[vsmith]

No one i know to give one too.

They either already have subscriptions to the magazine of their choice, or they wouldnt be interested.

[Puckdropper]

In my 41 gift-being given opportunities (just a rough estimate of the expected days--birthday and Christmas), I have only recieved one magazine as a gift. The reason I usually don't get more is (a) I don't ask and (b) my family doesn't know what I have and don't want to give me duplicates.

Asking for a subscription would be one of those "wish list" things for Christmas, most gifts we give are in the $10-15 range.

[kimbrit]

Mags are a personal choice for that persons likes, from model mags to porn, each to their own and I would never dream of giving someone a mag subscription. I have lent train mags to people when they have asked, it's then their choice where they go.
Cheers,
Kim [2c]

[jtrost]

I find magazine subscriptions a bad gift (sorry). Either the "gifter" is on the hook to pay for the subscription forever, or the "giftee" gets stuck with the renewal next time around. Neither option thrills me. [|(]

[CandCRR]

I have been droping hints to get a couple subscriptions. Maybe Santa will be good to me.

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!

Jaime


PS "the feed" thank you for spelling Chrismahanukwanzakah for me.

[Anonymous]

I got my brother-in-law (an LGB enthusiast) a two-year subscription to "Garden Railways" as one of his gifts this year (his other gift from me was RR-Track track planning software so he can have some fun planning his indoor pike).

I know how much I have learned and continue to learn from reading GR (which I always buy at the local B&N), and I know he has always enjoyed the past issues that I have given to him the few times a year when I get to see him and my sister. So, this was a very appropriate gift, in my opinion.

And if in the course of our conversations I find that he is enjoying his subscription (I'm quite sure he will be), it will be renewed a couple of years from now so he can continue enjoying the publication.

"Garden Railways" spurred my own interest in that area of model railroading a good many years ago, and I have never looked back. I enjoy some issues more than others, which is only natural as our interests develop and change, but I invariably learn something new from each issue and I recognize the importance of this publication in supporting and growing the hobby (not to mention this forum). Others may feel that they get all they need from the Internet, but I don't share that view at all, even though I participate actively on half a dozen model railroading forums (various scales).

As I see it, a gift that provides inspiration and knowledge is one of the best gifts one can give.

[Anonymous]

No, but I ask for them[:D]. I already get MR and GR so I asked for the narrow gauge and short line Gazette, My Dad came through for me[;)]

[Anonymous]

I gave a subscription to Model Railroader one year, but that was it. However, my wife gave me a one year subscription to Alaska Magazine as an xmas present this year, due to the fact that we will be on a cruise in Alaska next September[:D][:D]

[Marty Cozad]

My folks ( grampa) used to give the boys MR each year . but as they got older they said no thanks.
I went wrong somewhere??
Now they have nothing to do with GRRing.

[TonyWalsham]

In Australia I act as agent for three model train magazines.
Steam in the Garden.
Garden Rail (UK)
Light Iron Digest.

I have been doing so for many years.
In all that time I could count on one hand how many subscriptions have been given as a gift by someone. Usually from a spouse.

I do agree with other respondents that it can be risky unless you know exactly the tastes of the recipient.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Marty Cozad

My folks ( grampa) used to give the boys MR each year . but as they got older they said no thanks.
I went wrong somewhere??
Now they have nothing to do with GRRing.

Marty, wait until they get girls out of there system and they will return to the hobby[;)]

[tmcc man]

My aunt just renewed my subscription to GR, and I am happy.

[Anonymous]

I have tried in the past but , Most people into trains have their subscriptions already. The books cost too much now a days even thogh they have ads. I would like to see a book of just train ads anyway.

[Anonymous]

I don't mainly because of the high price.