Buying the perfect gift for a working professional can be daunting – it’s about appealing to their personality, as well as finding something that is practical and makes their life more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, there’s one thing that you can’t buy for the busy professional in your life: time.
But, fortunately, we’ve compiled this list of the six next best things that will make their lives a little easier:
A Bold Accessory
For those who are always moving up the corporate ladder, how about a statement piece that can work as a conversation starter during their next interview?
For instance, designer Gere Kavanaugh enjoys wearing a $25 purse that resembles a chicken to all her industry events because it’s guaranteed to break the ice every time.
Well, maybe you shouldn’t opt for something so extreme – one of these leather laptop bags will work just as well… and they’re practical, too.
A Pen or Writing Accessories
What could go better with a present of a pen than a pen case to keep it in, or a journal or notebook to use it in? Conwaystewart.com offers a variety of pens, pen cases, and writing supplies that have been hand-picked to complement the superior quality of their pens. You can make a purchase to gift anything from pen cases to inkwells and even ink remover for clearing up after a messy accident!
A Networking Pass
For professionals who dream of making valuable connections, you can purchase a membership for a networking program like Brunchwork.
Brunchwork hosts more than 100 events per year to connect professionals to other like-minded leaders from all industries through social events and business classes.
A Perfect Headshot
Although professionals are always thinking about how they appear to interviewers, the truth is that most employers’ first impression comes from a photo on an online profile like Linkedin.
Purchasing a professional photoshoot for the go-getter in your life is a thoughtful gesture that will add a professional touch to their portfolio. You can arrange a professional headshot for between $65 to $125.
A Personal Chef
The average childless American spends around 37 minutes cooking and cleaning every day. However, having children increases that time to 44 minutes. If the professional in your life is juggling kids and a career, consider getting a personal chef to ease some of the load.
Although the prices for personal chefs vary, you can expect to pay anything from $100 to $400 for 12 servings of food (including the ingredients).
A Session of Grounding
For professionals who are constantly on the go and have no time to slow down and smell the roses, consider purchasing a session with a mindfulness or meditation coach to keep them grounded.
A mindfulness coach can provide the tools to help busy individuals slow down, and a session of mindful meditation can effectively improve focus, increase mental health, and keep stress at manageable levels.
A Good Read
Managers frequently consult self-help books about developing their skills and managerial style – that’s why business books are always a solid option for aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate professionals.
Some of the best and most popular how-to books are Radial Candor by Kim Scott, Brave New World by Aaron Dignan, and The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo.
For the deep thinkers, there’s Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas – a riveting read about how billionaires and big corporations skew philanthropic language while striving to protect the tax laws that enrich them.
*Photos by STIL
