The ultimate gift guide for freelancers

What do you want to find under the tree?

Dec 06, 2023

For our first newsletter of December, we thought we’d get in the holiday spirit and put together our ultimate gift guide for the freelance journalist in your life. Feel free to pass this on to friends and family as a not so subtle hint of all the lovely things they could put in your stocking (or wherever you happen to keep presents).

Photo by Ekaterina Shevchenko on Unsplash

1. Laptop stand

This adjustable, portable, and light weight laptop stand is the perfect gift for a freelancer who’s constantly on the move. Say goodbye to bad posture as this convenient tool lifts your laptop to eye-level, removing the strain from your neck and back. If you’re looking to go the extra mile, you can add in a bluetooth keyboard and mouse as well.

2. Yoga class

Picture this: your freelancer friend was not gifted a laptop stand, and is now experiencing neck and/or back pain. Treat them to a yoga class to release some of that tension in their muscles. Yoga offers a much needed break, a pause for both mind and body. If you cannot find a yoga studio nearby, many studios record their sessions and make them available for purchase.

3. Blue light glasses

Now that muscle strain is taken care of, it’s time to take the strain off the eyes. As the name suggests, blue light glasses reduce the amount of blue light (emitted by digital screens) that reaches the eye. It may prevent eye strain, improve sleep, and offer relief from headaches. Disclaimer: headaches may still be caused by late payments, tight deadlines, and editors who don’t reply to emails.

4. Fingerless gloves

Winter is here, bills are rising… it may be the time to ‘heat the human, not the home’. Fingerless gloves offer warmth and comfort, without compromising dexterity and these ones look particularly toasty. Not all heroes wear capes, but in this case, these hooded heroes come in handy. Step up the game by getting a USB heated pair.

5. Heated blanket

Sticking to the winter theme, everyone and their dog are talking about heated blankets nowadays. This budget-friendly heated over throw fleece blanket from Debenhams is soft, luxurious, and energy efficient. With adjustable heat and timing settings, find that perfect, cosy temperature that hits the spot.

6. Electric coffee warmer

Have you ever been in the situation where the thought of a fresh cup of coffee is the motivation that gets you out of bed? You make the perfect milk-to-coffee-ratio drink, looking forward to that perfect first sip. Suddenly you get swamped by emails, time passes but you powered through them. As you go for another sip, disappointment strikes - your coffee has gone cold. Luckily, this all can be prevented by an electric coffee warmer, like this one with a retro record design.

7. Tomato timer

Equipped with fingerless gloves, a heated blanket, and a warm cup of coffee; your freelance friend might become a little too comfortable for their own benefit. Help them stay productive with this tomato timer, perfect when applying the Pomodoro Technique (our favourite way at FFJ to get things done). The idea is to set the timer for 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. After four sessions, or ‘Pomodoros’, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Time for more coffee!

8. Large wall calendar

For all the visual learners out there, a large wall planner is the perfect treat. Once Upon A Tuesday, a UK based sustainable brand, sells a variety of planners, including monthly and annual overviews, as well as wipeable planners. Ideal for those who swear on improving their time management skills each year as a resolution.

9. Photoshoot

A fellow freelancer once told me that, and I quote, ‘a photography session would make [them] go weak in the knees and forever love the gifter’ (present givers take note). Often times, freelancers may need new brand photos or headshots, but don’t have it at the top of their priority list. This gift idea is not only creative, but also perfect for those who wish to give a thoughtful, experiential gift.

10. Subscription

Last, but certainly not least, is a gift that cannot be wrapped but will be a guaranteed success. Gift your freelancer friend a subscription to a newspaper they enjoy reading, a software they often use (eg, Canva, Adobe…), or a transcription app such as Otter.ai. How about a paid productivity app such as OmniFocus, or a fun newsletter such as the Premium Freelancing for Journalists newsletter. Who doesn’t love access to bonus resources, podcasts, pitching examples and much more!

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FFJ resources

To find out about the wide range of resources that Freelancing for Journalists can offer, head on over to our website. And if there is anything we don’t do that you think we should, we are always open to ideas so please do get in touch.

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