Giving a loved one a good book this holiday season is a nice because it can help them grow and learn. Giving them the Internet, on the other hand, is like giving them hundreds of libraries with classics, as well as the most current information in the world.

While you may initially be thinking that Internet access is far too expensive, it may cost less than you realize.

Most Internet service providers (ISP) strike their best deals around the holiday season. Most can also arrange payments so that your friend or relative gets the service, but you get the bill throughout the year. Since, in most areas, you can get at least some level of Internet access for about $10 a month and unlimited access for $18 to $25 a month, this may be your best option without having to pay more up front.

If you are looking to save some money and are willing to pay it in one lump sum, ask the local ISP whether they have annual pre-pay contracts. These are typically designed so that you make a one-time payment of $150 to $200 (including applicable setup fees and software) for a year's worth of unlimited access. Because of the potential cost savings and less year-round hassle with billing, this option is becoming very popular.

Why does Internet access revenue increase dramatically during the holiday season? Easy, there are plenty of parents trying to turn their $2500 computer from an expensive Nintendo game for the kids to an educational research tool.

ISPs are also seeing a steady stream of adult sons and daughters buying access for their soon-to-be (or already) retired parents. Why not give Mom and Dad the ability to e-mail you anytime they want, chat with their net-saavy friends, check their investment portfolios, or look-up ancestral histories. The fastest growing population of Internet users are the over sixty-five year crowd and giving the gift of the 'Net may be the best present you can give them this year.

Now that you are ready to go out and get the Internet, here are a few thing you need to think about before selecting an Internet service provider.

First, look for Internet service providers that are spin-offs of existing, well-rooted businesses or have large corporate backings. Ones that risk losing an otherwise good community reputation are the best bet to beating the fly-by-night providers that set up shop, get a hundred customers online, make some quick money and then close the business because they couldn't handle the massive amount of capital it takes to grow an ISP correctly. Unfortunately, this scenario occurs more often than reported in the news. Providers with millions of dollars invested in equipment and tens of thousands of users online are much less likely to close shop next week.

Once you think you found a good ISP, make sure you can attach to the Internet with a local number. Ask the provider if you are in their "service area."

Now that you have established that you can call locally, make sure that your computer meets the minimum specifications to work with their service. Just ask for the details and most ISPs will be happy to give them to you.

When comparing companies, don't fall for the "$49.95-valued" software pitch. When you sign up you should expect the ISP to provide you at no cost enough software to at least let you attach to the World Wide Web and send and retrieve electronic mail (e-mail). The rest you can get free off the Internet once you are connected.

In addition to software, the ISP should provide you with enough free technical support to get you initially attached to the Internet. Don't expect to call a toll-free number for life with every Internet-related question, but you should at least be able to connect.

Finally, when shopping for Internet access for a loved one this holiday season, don't just look at the dollars, look at the value. If you want your Mom or Dad to be able to get on the Internet every time they dial in, the "discount" Internet service providers may not be your best choice since you are likely to encounter frequent busy signals or have technical support staff that is only available "after school and when he is done with his homework."