“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
It’s that time of year and so, by tradition, I’m excited to share my connections-inspired 2023 holiday gift guide. Please know that my recommendations are not paid endorsements… the only benefit I receive from sales of these items is comfort in knowing that you will continue to forge meaningful connections as a result of giving these fun and meaningful gifts to important people in your life! If you use any of my suggestions, please come back and leave a comment – let me know which item(s) you selected and what the reactions were from your recipients. With that, here are my picks for this year:
As you may know, my focus this month has been on the wisdom of fortune cookies. So, this gift guide would not be complete without a few fortune cookie-inspired ideas. This darling silver trinket box makes a perfect paperweight or decorative desk item. Plus, you can write a fortune to its recipient with the paper insert that is included with the box! Online price points vary… I found mine for about $20 apiece.
I am especially excited about the beautiful, customized gifts available from Dune Jewelry. Essentially, for each of its handcrafted pieces, the company incorporates sand and earth elements available from its Sandbank from thousands of iconic locations around the globe. Made from quality stainless steel, for my “Wave Wine Stopper,” I selected sand from a location especially meaningful to me – Lisbon’s Belem Tower – and I just love it! When I look at it, it sends me back in time to fun occasions spent in Portugal with family and friends. This bottle stopper is available online for $48; Dune also has a wide range of other gorgeous jewelry and accessories in a variety of price points.
This little water-powered cutie is adorable, practical and sustainable. It will also help to ensure that your recipients arrive on time for all of those networking coffees you will have together in the coming year! The revolutionary Squirt Alarm Clock from Bedol allows you to tell time with ordinary tap water, eliminating the need for batteries or plugs. It is perfect for everyday use in the home, office, or even on-the-go and is available in a variety of vibrant colors. Available at the very reasonable price point of $26 each, I understand from inventor, Mark Bedol, that the Squirt can be ordered in bulk and imprinted with your company logo (allow 10 extra days for processing and shipping on custom orders).
Know Yourself Better: Building Connections Journal
When I decided in 2011 to write a book based on my blog, the first recommendation my editor gave me was to read Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, which – like me – she published by leveraging the blogs that she had been writing. Since then, Gretchen has been making many inspirational books, journals, apparel, and gift items available. One of her latest publications is the Know Yourself Better: Building Connections Journal, which is perfect for anyone seeking to bolster their relationship base and live a happy life. At just $24.99, this pretty journal, illustrated by Petra Eriksson, an illustrator and visual artist from Sweden based in Barcelona, will help its owner to understand themselves and others better and find new ways to connect.
All the rage this year has been Stanley-branded drinkware. I suppose it’s no surprise given that the mugs and tumblers keep hot drinks hot for 2.5 hours, cold drinks cold for 6 hours, and ice in solid form for 25 hours! My pick for the networkers among us is the 24-ounce Stay Hot Camp Mug which sells for $40 on the Stanley site. The secure press-fit Tritan™ Drink-Thru Lid prevents splashes and makes sipping easy. Take it with you to all your networking meetings – the bigger size allows for more time to enjoy someone else’s company. And, don’t forget, for a small upcharge, your gifts can be customized with a monogram, graphic, or text.
Gold Glass Happy Holidays Fortune Cookie Ornament
OK… to round out this year’s guide, one more fortune cookie-themed gift… and, really, it’s one of my main go-to gifts for this season: The Gold Glass Happy Holidays Fortune Cookie Ornament from World Market. This auspicious ornament is crafted of golden glass to mimic the elegantly folded shape of the classic cookie. Dusted with sugary gold glitter, it’s finished with a red paper flag that wishes you “Happy Holidays” in both English and Mandarin. At just $4.99 each, it is a perfect gift for that lucky someone in your life!
Wishing you happiness and good fortune. Happy Giving! Happy Networking!