2016 Holiday Gift Picks

Each year on this day, it’s fun to make recommendations for gifts to share with relatives, friends, colleagues, coworkers and contacts!  All year long, I search for special items that are meaningful, affordable and perfect for all your connections.  Be sure to take a look back at my 2015 and 2014 recommendations, too, as many of those tips are still plenty relevant.  Also, if you have suggestions of your own, please take a moment to leave a comment at CoffeeLunchCoffee.com to share with the community.

 Travel Neck Pouch/Passport Holder 

venture-4th-travel-pouch-tooEarlier this year, I found myself traveling abroad for business once again and was so happy to come across a handy travel pouch.  It’s just perfect for keeping track of my passport/ID, foreign currency, earbuds and other valuables.  Plus, it has a comfortable neck strap and can be worn underneath clothing.  Were I to purchase a new one today, the Venture 4th Travel Neck Pouch looks particularly cool… though mine is a lower tech version, I would be delighted to travel with this more advanced model which has RFID blocking lining and is water resistant!

 

cafepress-mugs-by-andrew-starrOne-of-a-Kind Do-It-Yourself Mug

I can never resist a good coffee cup (well, teacup!).  In fact, after last year’s post, my buddy and long time CLC Community member, Andrew Starr, surprised me with a fun mug that he designed himself and sent directly to my doorstep from Café Press!  Then, in anticipation of today’s post, Andrew surprised me once again and created yet another hilarious mug with his own favorite mantra.  It was so fun to receive and I suspect he had a lot of fun designing these clever and unique gifts.  You can send one of your own!

 AeroPress Coffee Maker

aeropressYou’re reading a Coffee Lunch Coffee post after all and, though I’m not a big consumer of coffee, many, many people around me are!  As such, I’ve given this cool coffee maker as a gift in the past and it’s been a huge hit!  The AeroPress prepares a rich, smooth single cup of coffee in about one minute.  It’s affordable and coffee lovers love it.  In fact, as my friend, Felice, once said, “it makes a beautiful cup of coffee.”  She’s right!

 

coach-flat-walletBusiness Card Holder

It’s always nice to receive utilitarian gifts that make networking easy as can be.  This COACH flat card case in glovetanned leather is just that type of gift.  And, though I’m partial to this “vintage orange” version, it comes in a number of attractive colors.  Yes, please!

 

Books

My holiday recommendations are never complete without a few good book options.  Here are some of my favorites from this year:

Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention by John Ruhlin.  I learned about John Ruhlin’s cool gifting concept by listening to Lewis Howes’ podcast, “The Art of Giving with John Ruhlin,” and was hooked!  I immediately ordered the book and gathered more details on Ruhlin’s approach.  His wisdom helps business professionals think through the right way and the wrong way to give gifts.  Through personal stories and data-backed evidence, Ruhlin breaks down how anyone can master the magic of Giftology.

Together Is Better: A Little Book of Inspiration by Simon Sinek.  I loved this sweet, beautifully illustrated fable.  As described

together-is-better-sinekon Amazon, it “…will inspire more readers to ask for help, help others, and discover their own courage through a charming story about change… It is the courageous few who ask for help. It is the giving few willing to help others. We can all find the courage we need and know the joy of service – the minute we learn that together is better.”  It’s primary message:  “Relationships – real, human relationships – really, really matter. The stronger our relationships, the stronger the bonds of trust and cooperation, the more we can accomplish and the more joy and fulfillment we get from our work and personal lives.”

How to Bake Pi: An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics by Eugenia Cheng. Anyone who knows me knows that math has been a mainstay in my life… from my college major to helping to shape my analytic approach to problem-solving.  Plus, I’ve been known to say, “math is beautiful!”  Imagine my delight when I discovered this recently published gem:  A cookbook that empowers its reader with the wonder of mathematics.  No longer will the hungry student question, “when will we ever use this stuff anyway?”  (Note:  I first learned about this book on NPR… it was featured on WNYC’s Studio 360 in a story called, “Now We’re Cooking with Math.”  Take a listen!)

Coffee Lunch Coffee by Alana Muller. Again this year, a bit of shameless self-promotion!  This, my first book, offers an accessible, CLC_mini_book_coverrelevant, immediately actionable approach to professional networking for anybody interested in connecting with others, getting involved in their community, seeking to advance their career or looking to build social relationships.  It will help you formulate a strategic mindset around networking while creating a game plan to get out there and connect.  BONUS:  Now through December 25, 2016, if you order directly from my website, I’ll personalize an inscription to your recipient (be sure to tell me who it’s for!) and even offer you a free copy of my fun minibook, Coffee Lunch Coffee:  Five Tips for Making the Most of Networking Events, for every unit ordered.  No promo code necessary.

Remember, the CLC Community wants to hear from you.  What are your top holiday picks?  Please share at CoffeeLunchCoffee.com.  Happy Holiday Shopping!

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