Welcome back to my 4th installment of my 2020 gift guide! This one’s for all those hard-working peeps who work from home. Several of the items on this list are things that will make their working life a little easier. Now that’s the gift that keeps on giving!
My picks for the WFH set:
1. Yeti Rambler Mug
$25, yeti.com
I’ve long been a big fan of Yeti, and I love that the company is based in Austin, TX, a city I used to live in and one that is just a few short hours drive away now. And the Yeti Rambler Mug is the perfect vessel to prevent the annoying problem of having to stop what you’re doing, get up, and reheat your coffee over and over and over. This small size holds 14 oz., and there’s also a larger size available, as well as several colors to choose from. It’s dishwasher-safe for easy clean up, and keeps hot and cold beverages at temp for hours. You could add a bag of the recipient’s favorite coffee or their favorite tea as a bonus.
2. Plants
Studies say that plants can reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve productivity. I recommend going with something that’s low maintenance, not a plant that has to have lots of sun and be watered frequently. Back before I became a personal trainer, I worked for a company that did plant installation and maintenance for businesses. I learned a lot about plants and which ones are better suited to various environments and level of care. Some of my favorite low-maintenance plants include the Snake Plant (Sansevieria), ZZ Plant, Philodendron, Pothos, Dracaena, Succulents, and Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree.
photo credit: realsimple.com
I’m a big believer in the power of creating an environment that is calming and pleasing to the eye. Whether that’s an office or a corner of the living room, making the effort to design your space can help with productivity, mood, and general attitude towards work.
Here are some articles listing places online to purchase plants:
The Best Places to Buy Plants Online Good Housekeeping
10 Great Budget-Friendly Sources for Buying Plants Online Apartment Therapy
The 7 Best Places to Buy Plants Online The Spruce
Important note: if the recipient has pets, make sure the plant is pet-friendly. Some greenery, such as the Pothos or Peace Lily, can be harmful to pets, and even cause death if ingested. Article here.
3. Key Light Air
$130 each, bestbuy.com (3% cash back at Rakuten) / elgato.com
My husband has 2 of these lights and gets so many positive comments about how amazing his lighting and how crisp and bright his overall picture quality is when he’s on Zoom meetings. These lights are lightweight, slender, and are adjustable, so they fit just about any desk set-up. The controls connect wirelessly to your PC, Mac, Android device or iPhone, so you can adjust brightness and color via the Control Center app, and get real-time onscreen feedback for the perfect lighting for meetings and videos.
4. Deskbound (Standing Up in a Sitting World) by Kelly Starrett
$26, amazon.com / Black-owned, independent bookshops by state
We all know that sitting isn’t great for us, especially for extended periods of time. It messes with our posture, makes certain muscles like the hip flexors and hamstrings tight and achy, and our shoulders creep forward from so many hours on laptops, tablets, and phones. This leads to muscle imbalances, aches and pains, and possibly injuries. That’s why I recommend the book Deskbound. It’s chock full of mobility exercises and assessments to address these things and keep your body working like it should and feeling good.
5. Beautycounter Flawless in Five
$150, beautycounter.com
If you need to be camera-ready in a flash, this #betterbeauty makeup bundle is all you need for a natural yet polished look. And it only takes five minutes. And better yet, you save 20% over buying each piece separately. Sign up for the Band of Beauty perks program (just $29 for a year) and get free ground shipping and 10% back in product credit on every purchase, as well as other perks.
You get to customize each item in this 6-piece kit:
- Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation or Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
- Skin Twin Creamy Concealer
- Color Define Brow Pencil or Brilliant Brow Gel
- Lengthening or Volumizing Mascara
- Satin Powder Blush
- Beyond Gloss
If you’re not sure of the recipient’s desired choices or shades, you can also purchase a gift certificate from me to let them order the set themselves. Just email me at beauty @ bkinetic.com for more details.
6. Kinesis Savant Elite2 Programmable Triple Foot Pedal
$189, amazon.com
Who else has to do repetitive keyboard and mouse tasks for work? My husband Tom works with spreadsheets and a metric shit-ton of customer and product info and thus copy-pastes all day long. It’s not surprising that he has dealt with carpal tunnel pain and other aches and pains as a result. Being the intrepid researcher he is, he found an effective solution (that I didn’t even know existed!).
The Kinesis Savant Elite2 (SE2) foot pedal is an ergonomic enhancer which can eliminate unnecessary hand and arm strain by reducing mouse clicks and awkward key combinations. SE2 pedals are also great for hands-free computer applications like transcription or medical/dental photography. With different pedal configurations and optional accessories you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect solution for your needs.
7. Yealink CP700 Portable Speaker
$150, yealink.com / amazon.com
This portable conference speaker is yet another Tom “favorite things” pick for all of his virtual meetings and client calls. We also use it for virtual trivia night with friends. It’s easy to set up and use, including the easily accessible mute button. It has noise cancelling technology and excellent sound performance. You can also use this speaker for listening to music.
8. Lisa Congdon OK Let’s Do This Journal
$14, emilymcdowell.com
Fine artist, illustrator, and author Lisa Congdon is best known for her energetic and colorful illustrations, and this beautiful journal is no different. For the professional who has goals, plans, and ideas coming out the wahzoo, a colorful notebook to jot down all the important stuff is a must. This paperback journal measures 6.5″ x 8.66″, has 160 lined pages, and a ribbon marker to hold your place. Beverage-drinkers take note: This design is also available as the OK Let’s Do This Mug! Add the Lisa Congdon-designed Beautycounter Give ‘Em Lip lipstick (or trio!) for an inspired final touch.
9. Logitech C920s Pro HD Webcam
$70, logitech.com (3% cash back with Rakuten) / bhphotovideo.com / bestbuy.com (3% cash back with Rakuten)
These days, just about everyone is on Zoom and other video chat platforms, whether for work, school, or just keeping in touch with family and friends. I’ve had my Logitech webcam for over 5 years with no problems, and I’ve been very happy with the quality and performance. This webcam is full HD 1080p/30fps with a built-in mic and a privacy shutter when not in use. Its tripod-ready universal mounting clip fits laptops, LCD, and monitors. It has a 5 foot cable and 2-year warranty. Webcams are in high demand this year, so you may need to shop around. I’ve given 3 sources above to help with your search.
10. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
$269, bose.com (10% cash back with Rakuten) / bestbuy.com (3% cash back with Rakuten)
When working from home, getting peace and quiet can be a challenge, even if you don’t have kids at home. You may be working in a shared space like the living room or sharing an office space with your significant other or having to deal with outdoor noise (like traffic or a neighbor getting their roof replaced). Noise-cancelling headphones are a must for blocking out distractions and listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook. You can also adjust the level of noise cancelling between three levels to better fit your environment. These headphones have up to a 20-hour battery life. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built-in. And if you or your recipient hate cords as much as I do (how do they always manage to get tangled up and pulled out all the time?!?), wireless is definitely the way to go. I have an older version of these headphones (with the wire though) and it is still going strong after 5 years of regular use.