Small Business Tips
Shop Team Fuze’s Holiday Gift List for Entrepreneurs & Digital Nomads
With Black Friday coming in hot next week, it’s already past the time to be putting together your gifting list for friends and family. And let’s face it: Some people on your list are just plain hard to shop for. What about the boss babe entrepreneurs and digital nomads of your life? Do they really need another giant popcorn tin? Or is there something you can give them that’ll get you added to the Halls of Holiday Gift Giving Fame?
We can totally help with that.
We polled our team and pulled together some of the gifts we have received and given over the years that were total game changers.
Let’s dive in:
Kim, Creative Director & Founder of Fuze Branding
1. Classic Leather Backpack WITH a laptop sleeve – HERE
Okay, so I gifted this to myself… But it was one of the best things I bought for my “business life.” Between travelling, working from coffee shops, or meeting with clients I don’t want to look like I just hiked Mount Everest with my laptop bag. I LOVE having a sleek black leather backpack. It keeps my hands free when I’m traveling, is super practical, and it looks put together. I get so many compliments on it!
2. One line a day journal – HERE
This happens to be one of the most meaningful gifts my friend gifted me over 7 years ago. To this day, I have 7 years worth of daily notes, frustrations, accomplishments, or just a recap of what happened that day. It’s so cool to see the same day last year, 2 years, even 5 years ago and see what you were thinking or doing. It actually makes you reflect on a daily basis, and even better, it shows you how far you’ve come. I’m constantly surprised when I see last year’s entry — I’m like, it was only a year ago – Dang, I need to give myself more credit. I’ve done a lot of things since then!
3. Classic, well made to-go cup – HERE
Joco Cups are my favorite travel mug to give and receive. You can’t go wrong, and I love how they are available in every color under the sun.
4. Milk Steamer for Coffee – HERE
I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now, because my friend has one.. I like to drink coffee, but I hate adding cold milk and making my coffee lukewarm. It’s one of those things that you might not think to buy for yourself, but it would be a total score for a coffee lover.
5. Dreamtime Body Wrap – HERE
Game. Changer. As a business owner, I’ve been trying to develop habits (besides drinking wine) that help me wind down after a stressful day. This is WAY better than a heated neck pad… It like envelopes your shoulders with a comforting, heated hug. Plus it’s scented with some aromatic warm spices in the filling. I love it and use it almost every night.
Marley, Lead Web Developer
1. Lightning to SD adapter – HERE
I bought this by accident and I love it. When I got my new MacBook, which has like no ports for anything (EYEROLL) I needed an SD adapter, but I bought one that plugged into my phone by mistake. OMG, game changer. I have Lightroom on my phone, synced with all my presets, and Dropbox on my phone… I love being able to import pictures for Instagram and not having to put them on my computer.
2. Wacom Tablet – HERE
I was super pumped when I got my Wacom tablet a million years ago. If you’re a creative or just want to take your computer game to the next level, this is a must-have.
3. Audible Subscription – HERE
I’m a pretty avid reader, but I often prefer to listen to non-fiction while I’m driving or doing other things. There are lots of business books and motivational books here, in addition to tons of great fiction, of course.
4. Team Treehouse – HERE
This is more specific to developers or anyone who wants to become a developer. You can watch videos and follow courses on different materials, and it will give you the opportunity to practice writing your own code. It’s a great platform, even for just sharpening skills that I don’t use all time, or for learning new things.
5. Crosley Record Player – HERE
I LOVE my record player. I think it’s creative and interesting, and I love listening to vinyl while I’m working.
Kathy, Jr. Graphic Designer
1. External Hard drive or Dropbox storage – HERE
I cannot stress how important it is to have things backed up. Especially online because you never know what can happen to all your important docs. Peace of mind is always a good gift.
2. Cups, Dishes, Silverware – HERE
I’m all for helping the environment and love gifting mugs, reusable water bottles, spoons, bowls (you name it) to friends, especially those that work in an office setting. It’s less waste : ) I have this mug. Bonus points for wrapping your gifts in reusable tote bags!
3. Organizational Tools – HERE
These gorgeous envelope canvas folders are perfect for stepping up your organizational game. They would make a great gift for getting ready for the new year.
4. Health Tracker – HERE
A Fitbit is definitely on my list this year. It monitors things like your heart rate and sleep schedule, which can be helpful when trying to manage stress and get into a healthy routine, physical and mentally.
5. Handmade Holiday Cards – DIY Tips HERE
Fun fact, I always send out handmade Christmas cards to friends and family. I hand draw, cut, stamp etc. each one. It’s a great stress reliever for me. I feel something hand written like this is a nice, sweet, and thoughtful surprise.
Laura, Client Coordinator & Lead Copywriter
1. Uncommonly Good Notebook Cover – HERE
It may be a digital world, but I think everyone needs (at least) one beautiful, classic notebook and notebook cover for jotting down their business plans, new product ideas, notes, etc. When you go into a meeting with a client, you don’t want to pull out a raggedy, seen-better-days legal pad. Uncommon Elephant is a small business based in North Carolina run by a lovely maker, Dottie, who handcrafts luxurious leather covers to fit your favorite notebook. You can even have them embossed with a brand name or special phrase!
2. TWSBI Eco Fountain Pen – HERE
I know, I know. It sounds really old fashioned and fuddy duddy. But trust me. Fountain pens are on the rise again, and they have some really unique benefits. In addition to being more eco-friendly, it takes far less pressure to write with a fountain pen than a ball point or other pen styles, so it’s easier on your hands, which is a big plus for frequent writers. And because it requires less pressure to write, users often find that their handwriting improves when using a fountain pen. On the more aesthetic side, it’s really fun to be able to pick out my ink color based on my mood or a theme.
3. Microsoft Surface Go – HERE
If you’re realllly looking to splurge on a hardworking, always-on-the-go loved one’s gift this year, you can’t go wrong with a Microsoft Surface Go. It weighs in at just over a pound, and it’s 10″ form factor is as portable as it gets for this level of computing power. I have the base model and regularly run Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop on it with no problems. It’s my go-to for all things digital these days.
4. Hydration Tracking Water Bottle – HERE
When I’m in the work zone, I tend to tune my body out. I am notorious for skipping meals and hydration when I’m on a roll. I think one of those hydration tracking water bottles would be a great gift. They even have some that will alert you to take a drink. So handy!
5. DIY Self-Care Kit – Examples HERE
One of the weirdest gifts I’ve ever received ended up being the one that I used the most: A first class amenity kit from Delta Airlines, I kid you not. It had a sleep mask, some soft socks, an emergency pair of ear plugs in a plastic container, a really good lip balm, lotion, etc., all packed in a nifty little bag that I could grab and toss in my backpack. I think making a DIY self-care kit, especially for a hardworking entrepreneur, would be so fun.
And we couldn’t NOT mention our collective newest favorite thing: The Fuze Shop. We’ve designed a capsule collection of graphic shirts that are beyond perfect for dreamers and doers. The best part? The variety of shirt styles and designs. From unisex to fitted and colorful to minimalist embroidery. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift for your favorite entrepreneur.
Happy Holidays & happy hunting from Team Fuze!
