Many members of the work-at-home crowd tend to put our family’s wants and needs ahead of our own. While there are always things we want and need for ourselves and our businesses, those things often get put to the back of the line.
This holiday season, I encourage you to invest a little in yourself. Buy something to better your business or just pamper yourself. You are the CEO of your home business, family and life. You deserve it!
Here are some of my favorite things to help get you excited and get those wheels turning. (Note: Some of these items were provided to me at no charge for review purposes.)
Office Space
Laptop Desk – These days I find myself working away from my desktop more and more. Most of us don’t want to be locked away in an office in the corner any more than we want to be sitting in a cubicle. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. I love this laptop desk from LapGear. It has a mousepad and storage pouches. It’s also very affordable.
Silent Keyboard – I type a lot while working from home, and the constant clicking drives my husband nuts! Cherry has an awesome new keyboard available with a “silent switch” that eliminates a lot of that repetitive noise.
Productivity Timer – A lot of emphases has been put on being cognizant of your time in recent years. As remote contractors, it’s easy for time to slip away from us. It’s too easy to get sucked down a rabbit hole and lose an hour or two before you even realize it has happened. These hourglass timers come in a set of two; one 25 minutes and one 5 minutes to help you get those must-do tasks completed uninterrupted. They are also black and gold – very classy!
Health
Gym membership – We all know the risks of too much sitting yet that’s how many of us spend the majority of our days. I get a lot of mileage out of my YMCA membership and love that so many group classes are available at various times and for various fitness options. I’ve even been taking tennis lessons through the Y this year. My other favorite gym is Title Boxing. My husband joined earlier this year and loved it so much he convinced me to start going with him. LOVE IT! They offer kickboxing, boxing and now MMA classes. You just drop in and spend 30 or 60 minutes on the bag in a group setting with an instructor. It’s an awesome workout. You have to try it. If you are worried about not fitting in, don’t be. At our gym and at the times we attend, it’s usually mostly women and a lot of ladies in their 40s, 50s and even 60s.
Grubhub Gift Card – Let’s be honest. Sometimes time just slips away from us and it’s dinner time before we know what hit us. Other times, we just don’t have any leftovers around for lunch either. Grubhub is a great online restaurant delivery service that allows you to quickly order – healthy – food for delivery or pickup in over 1,100 cities nationwide. This is a gift that will be much appreciated.
Stainless Steel Tumbler– We all know we need to drink more water. And we have all heard the dangers of drinking and eating from plastic. We love our stainless steel tumblers with their stainless steel straws.
Business Essentials
Erin Condren Planner – Every year I order a new planner and notebook from Erin Condren. These things are heavy duty and hold up to several vacations and conferences each year. They also help me stay focused on the projects I am working on and want to complete.
Trunk Club – I used to be a Stitch Fix fanatic but found the quality and selection of their items going downhill. Then I found Trunk Club! I love this service. It’s from Nordstrom’s so many of the brands you will recognize (and can readily find again should you want to be a repeat buyer). The items are usually pretty affordable as well. (I have been sent a lot of tops priced under $20.) As someone who has a really hard time finding flattering clothing for my body type – pear – I appreciate having a stylist who knows exactly what will work.
Backpack – For years I have lugged around my leather laptop tote bag. While I love this tote bag, it gets so heavy when you’re at a conference for five days networking and changing seminar rooms. I’m going to a laptop backpack. My back and shoulder can’t take the tote bag anymore.
Zander Identity Theft Protection – As remote workers, we share a lot of personal information online. With the recent Experian breach, we started looking into identity theft protection. The insurance Zander offers not only monitors your social security number, it also helps you with recovery should anything happen. It comes recommended by Dave Ramsey and covers a family – kids included – for under $13 per month. They even help you with “wallet protection” should your purse be lost or stolen. https://www.zanderins.com/idtheft2
Time to Unplug
Key West Aloe – Winter’s almost here and that means dry, itchy skin. This gift set from Key West Aloe may be just what you need. The lotions include aloe vera, Vitamin E and antioxidants. The hand cream is nice and thick but it absorbs quickly. I also really like the scent. It’s light and clean.
Travel Gift Card – If you are buying a gift for your work-at-home spouse, consider a travel gift card. Maybe you can take an extended trip with her to that conference she’s been wanting to attend. My husband always travels with me to conferences. We usually stay a few extra days before or after or both. It’s been a great opportunity to see some of the places on our wishlist. I almost always book through Expedia.
Spa Gift Card – I’m not much for manicures and pedicures but I love a nice long massage. It’s something I treat myself to often especially considering just how tight and sore my neck and shoulders get being in front of the computer all day. If she doesn’t have a favorite spa, pick up a Groupon to somewhere local. They always have awesome deals on massages available.
What’s on your wishlist this year?
Cori Ramos says
Hi Angie,
I love all these ideas! I’m eyeballin’ that keyboard and exercise desk! You know I’m passing this one along! And who wouldn’t love a gift card – especially for a day at the spa! 🙂
Have a great day and rest of the week!
Cori
Angie Nelson says
You too, Cori. I love that desk bike!