Holiday Gifts for your Favorite Project Manager
It’s snowing again here in the Rocky Mountain West and the holiday gift season is right around the corner. Folks are busy worrying about the conversions and implementations they’re going to do after the holiday and business slows down. Or they’re looking forward to a very quiet two weeks as their co-workers and clients go on vacation.
In the spirit of the season, here are a few gift ideas for the project manager on your list. I’ll have to admit, these are items that I definitely would appreciate.
Just for the record, I have no affiliations with any of these companies and don’t get compensated for recommending them. I just like their products.
Writey Board
I love my Writey Board. I want at least one more, and probably two. The current one on the wall has my To Do list. Writey Boards are dry-erasable sheets that stick to the wall. You can move them when you need to – no holes in the wall. I have the 2 x 3 ft. whiteboard version which retails for $25.00. The boards come in black and transparent and you can even buy whiteboard paint to transform your entire wall into a whiteboard. If you love whiteboards but don’t want to drill holes in the wall to hang one, check these out. Find these cool holiday gifts at Amazon.com or writeyboards.com.
Moleskine Daily Planner
I love electronic note-taking systems, but I find that I tend to need to hand-write notes, particularly when I’m facilitating meetings. I like notebooks that are portable and hardcover so I can write notes even if I’m not at my desk. This Moleskine planner is a great choice. There is plenty of room to make notes, it comes with an elastic closure and a ribbon to mark your place in the book. It also includes a pocket in the back for extra materials and stickers to use to help categorize notes.
I use my Moleskine notebook every day. Find it at Moleskine.com. Your favorite project manager will be your best friend for life!
Writing instruments
Perhaps I just have a fondness for the actual act of writing, but your favorite project manager could always use a nice pen. Put a few dollars into it and maybe get them a combination pen and stylus. Folks can be particular about their writing instruments, so you might ask a few questions of your recipient before selecting the right gift. Check out Cross.com for the high-end and ParkerPen.com for a budget alternative.
Desk Accessories
I’m not much for lots of stuff on my desk, but your favorite project manager could probably use a new mouse pad. Check out this one at Amazon.com from the Neurons Not Included storefront. It’ll lighten up any stressful day.
A new coffee mug may also be a great choice. There are lots of great cups out there to replace that potentially nasty cup she’s using but has never thought to replace.
Services for stress relief
I’m at an age where I really don’t need lots of stuff – Writey Boards and Moleskine notebooks excepted. If someone wants to give me a gift, I request something consumable. Bottle of wine, some good coffee, or a gift certificate for my local spa. Some days, a good massage or facial can really put the stress of managing a project team into perspective. I’m in favor of occasional pampering. Check out your local area for the best spas near you.
What are your favorite gifts? Tell us below!
The holiday season is a great time to remember your favorite project manager. If you would like a copy of this article to leave with potential gift givers, click the button below for a PDF version. Happy holidays!
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