Do you have a freelancer in your life that you want to treat this Christmas? Or stuck for ideas on what to ask for? This is the guide for you – The 2016 Gift Guide For Freelancers!
Digital Gifts (perfect for last minute)
From top left, clockwise.
- A Buffer subscription will save a freelancer time, allowing you to schedule content to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram.
- Appsumo credits (affiliate) are perfect for freelancers who regularly use new and popular online tools and resources. Appsumo offers a new deal every few days, and offers huge discounts. I’ve had everything from lifetime access to You Need A Budget, to access to big bundles of WordPress themes, usually between $19-49. Most of them are tax-deductible too…
- Creative Market credits are a must have for any creative freelancer. It’s a marketplace of beautiful digital products, from fonts and themes to photoshop overlays and illustrations. I’ve got my eye on this LadyBoss font package (affiliate). If you’re on their mailing list, they’ll also give you access to 6 free products every Monday.
- Canva continues to be one of my favourite tools of 2016, perfect for creating quick and easy graphic designs for social networks, blogs, newsletters and even printed products. The paid, business version makes it even easier to create one design and then quickly adapt it to different platforms, as well as add in your own templates and brand colours and font.
- Also, for bookworms who are short on time, an Audible monthly subscription would be great for audiobooks, and Blinkist serves up keynotes from popular non-fiction books which you can listen to or read on your mobile device.
Books and stationery
- A Happier 2017 Page-A-Day Calendar is perfect for adding a positive touch to a desk. It’s filled with tips on how to make each day happier, from Gretchen Rubin (regular readers will know how much I love her books The Happiness Project and Better Than Before).
- Get Rich Lucky Bitch. I’m pretty sure this was on my wishlist last year, but it’s still one of the most interesting, life-changing books I’ve read. If you have any money worries (especially as a female freelancer), or any blocks around finances, this is a must-read.
- The Miracle Morning is ideal for anyone that needs to shake things up, or wants to implement a new routine. They’ve even got a special edition for entrepreneurs.
- The Life Changing Magic Of Not Giving A F*ck is both hilarious and fantastic for giving you perspective. It’s so easy to get stuck in your head and overwhelmed when you’re working alone, and this really helps you work out what you do need to care about. Just don’t listen to the audio version if you’re in the car with the kids. There are a LOT of f*cks.
- Planners are huge news still this year, and Paperchase have pulled it out of the bag this year. This Raindrops multi list book is lovely if you tend to jump around between different tasks, and this Blogger’s Journal has made it onto my wishlist.
Technology
- Blow the budget and their mind – the new Macbook Pro is BEAUTIFUL. Go have a perve at it here.
- If your budget is slightly smaller and you’re on the lookout for a smaller laptop, the ASUS Chromebook Flip offers the benefits of both a touch screen tablet and a Chromebook. As my beloved Dell Chromebook broke recently, I’m hoping to invest in this.
- Yup, it’s that Instagram cliche – a lightbox. But it’s a must-have for any social media maven (£16.99)
- Interested in podcasting? The Blue Yeti microphone is touted as one of the best value and quality for podcasting.
Stocking Fillers
- I need this bookkeeping notebook. It’s from Etsy seller Alfamarma and it’s £5.
- This Boss Lady pin is ideal for a stocking filler or Secret Santa. It’s from an Etsy seller called Fairycakes who is currently taking up a big chunk of my Etsy favourites with her designs.
- If you’re into pins, you might also want to check out Pinclub, who send out a pin every month for £5.
- Brussels Sprouts. Well, chocolate orange truffles in disguise, in a personalised named box. *Note: I’m biased as this is from my parents’ company, but these are delicious.