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We’re living in very different times. That calls for establishing different holiday rituals with your team, colleagues and clients from years past. Instead of moving into autopilot mode for your gifts and activities, take some time to be extra thoughtful and relevant this year. After all, it has been an extraordinarily challenging year for most of us.
Gifts for the Covid Era
Some gifts can be helpful and at the same time acknowledge our current situation, for example, hand sanitizer. I’m not talking about your 16 oz. bottle of Purell. There are some clever companies that have created unique, upgraded versions of this new staple in our lives. For example, Noshinku created the perfect pocket hand sanitizer with a refreshing bergamot scent. On their website they say that their hand sanitizer uses the things your skin needs with none of the unnecessary stuff that does more harm than good. And the packaging is sophisticated and portable. Spirits producer Amass uses the same botanicals they infuse into their sought-after gin to produce unique hand sanitizers in three different fragrances that “shift the experience of hand sanitizer from cold and clinical to sensory and indulgent.”
The other must-have Covid-19-era accessory is the face mask. It has become a standard part of our wardrobe that we won’t leave home without. Companies like Vistaprint will produce custom face masks for your team. You can make one-of-a-kind masks for each person on your team or come up with branded masks or a design that’s right for everyone. Etsy features hundreds of different handmade face masks produced by dozens of different artisans.
Gifts that keep on giving
We’re likely going to be living in a Covid-19 world for the coming year. According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Anthony Fauci, reminded us that it will likely be 2022 before things get totally back to normal. Many companies have already extended their WFH policies through mid-2021 and they will likely continue even further into 2021. That sets up the perfect opportunity for gifts that are spaced out, delivering goodness over time. So give something that will continue to delight the recipient throughout these challenging times. A few clever options are: Vinebox, which provides customizable wine selections by the glass. The Plant Club will help add some green to your peeps’ lives. The Raw Spice Club provides monthly packages with spices and spice blends from all over the world.
The gift of chill
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 49% of employees have reported less energy for non-work activities, and 42% more trouble sleeping at night according to a study from Limeade. The Counseling Directory identified scents that can be used to support people struggling with anxiety or stress: lavender, clary sage, cinnamon, orange, lemon and apple. Candles or home sprays featuring these scents can keep the jitters down. Or give subscriptions to stress reduction apps like Calmcast, which lets you create your own custom stress reduction plan of action thanks to the app’s “Calmcierge,” or Happify, which provides science-based activities to overcome stress and life's challenges.
Gifts that fill a need
Show your people you care and that you’re paying attention. Maybe you saw that a client or colleague needed more light on their face because of their dark home office. A selfie light ring might be the perfect present. And perhaps you’ve heard the echo coming from one of your colleagues on Zoom meetings, which diminished the impact of her brilliant words; a directional mic or AirPods will do the trick.
Team bonding activities
Often, human connection is the best gift of all. When I was working for Lotus Software in the 90s on the marketing and branding team, we received the most thoughtful and memorable holiday gift from our ad agency, Ogilvy. Instead of taking us out to the hottest play on Broadway or buying us individual presents, they wanted to do something truly special—something that connected with Lotus’ values. They went to the main post office in New York City and sorted through hundreds of letters addressed to Santa Claus. They chose one letter for each member of our team and fulfilled the wish that was requested of ol’ Saint Nick. Then in a group lunch, they read all of the moving letters to us. The waiter thought we had all been fired because tears were dipping down everyone’s face. When you opt for a team-building activity focused on supporting others, a few great things happen. First, you create stronger bonds and connection among team members. Then, you do something positive for those in need. And lastly, you boost your health. Humans get a warm happy feeling from the collaborative experience of giving back.
This year, holiday gifts will have more significance than in previous years. There’s never been a better time to make it a gift of the heart.
William Arruda is a founder of CareerBlast and co-creator of BrandBoost - a video-based personal branding talent development experience.
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November 15, 2020 at 10:02PM
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Unique Holiday Gifts For Your WFH Workforce, Colleagues And Clients - Forbes
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