We spend a huge part of our lives at work, so it only makes sense that we’re as well-equipped as possible to be our best selves when we’re there. We sometimes need a little extra boost to help us fake it ’til we make it or to stay at the top once we’ve gotten there. Below are some spectacular gift ideas for the #girlbosses in your life that will help them chase their dreams and beyond, whether they’re your intern, your CEO or someone on their way to being one.
1. Ringly Dive Bar ($195): For the career gal who’s practically superglued her phone to her hand, this Ringly Bluetooth ring is a necessity. The ring pairs to your smartphone and lets you receive customized notifications through a subtle light and vibration, all while looking chic, sophisticated and totally covert.
2. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso ($10): This New York Times bestseller recounts the story of how Sophia Amoruso turned checking IDs in the lobby of an arts school into a $250 million fashion empire. It’s equal parts inspirational and aspirational for any corporate dreamer in your life.
3. Classic Nylon Laptop Zip Sleeve ($75): Climbing that corporate ladder requires drive. Help get your workaholic where they need to go with this ultra-adorable Kate Spade laptop sleeve designed to fit any 13-inch laptop.
4. Takenaka Bento Box ($34): Thanks to you, your fave boss will be the envy of the office lunch room. The range of colors and sizes are the perfect pop-of-color departure from brown-bag boringness.
5. Slim Maple Business Card Holder ($55): Networking is vital to corporate survival. Give your corporate cutie this slim business card holder in beautiful maple this holiday, so they’re never unprepared for business serendipity.
6. Yoga Dress Pant ($78): These pants are wildly comfy and transition flawlessly from workout to tackling a meeting downtown. Plus, they come in tons of cute colors.
7. Signature Pen ($40): Pens are an essential component of anyone’s job. Whether she’s old school and prefers pen and paper or keeps them as backup for a dead phone or computer, this beauty will keep track of her ideas in high style.
8. Copper Desk Accessories ($60-$85): Move over, gold! Enter our favorite new addition to the metallic game: copper.
Gifts for Small Business Owners
9. I Am Very Busy Pouch ($12): Making your own hours is great in theory, but it usually means you end up working around the clock. This one-of-a-kind pouch lets your worker bae know you love them and adds whimsical charm to any office.
10. I Can/I Will Notebook ($6): Ladies running their own business are some of the most wonderfully ambitious gals around. Give them a gift that speaks to their soul with this double-sided notebook.
11. Custom Business Cards ($20+): Business cards are essential, but also easy to skimp on when you have a ton of other competing interests. Help her make all the difference with these custom cards from Moo.
12. Kate Spade Card Holder ($30): Who wouldn’t want to talk shop with whoever sits behind the desk of this chic business card holder? It brings instant coolness cred.
13. A Day in Tea Set ($27): For the small business owner who always seems to have a cup of tea in her hand, this tea set is a must-give. From rise-and-shine Big Ben to rest-and-relaxation The des Songes, every tea is carefully curated for whatever your workaholic needs.
14. 2016 Office Essentials Desk Calendar ($18): Okay, we know it’s cliché to give a calendar at Christmas, but this adorable desk calendar is too cute to pass up. Featuring cute doodles of office necessities, it’s the perfect accessory to make any office more homey.
15. Day Dream Print ($30): Remind your small business bestie to never quit their daydream-turned-day-job with this exclusive print from Pink Olive.
16. Travel Case Set ($105): It would be hard to not stay organized with this duo of bright, impossible-to-miss, monogrammed travel cases. It’s the perfect idea for the #girlboss who’s always taking meetings.
Gifts for Job-Hunters
17. Get It Girl Weekly Deskpad ($15): Keep job postings, business meetings and interviews organized with this cute weekly deskpad that reminds you to go out and get it.
18. Don’t Forget Sticky Notes ($14): There is no forgetting that last-minute interview with this oh-so-pretty sticky note block set!
19. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2016: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles ($12): For anyone on your list that’s looking for a career change, this book is a no-brainer. It’s the world’s most popular job-hunting guide, with more than ten million copies sold!
20. Copper French Press ($40): Good mornin’ to ya! Clearly, copper is having a moment, and this French press is the perfect thing to perk up their AM rituals.
21. Idiom Pencils ($20): Make resume writing more bearable with these idiom pencils by cutesy maven Kate Spade. Each set comes with 10 unique phrases, from “To whom it may concern” to “55 words per minute.”
22. LinkedIn Upgrade ($20+/month): LinkedIn subscriptions are a great way to give a boost to a babe on the job hunt, allowing them to see more opportunities and connect with more people.
23. Green Tea Box Set ($65): There is officially no excuse for her to not get those antioxidants in. These are the perfect dose of healthiness (and caffeination!) when your BFF desperately needs it.
24. Rejuvenation Gift Set ($42): Looking for a job is stressful, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Give your job seeker a day of rest with this rejuvenation gift set featuring Juniper bathing salts, a Juniper and green clay facial mask, a cool salve all-purpose healing balm and a grapefruit lip balm.
Gifts for Interns
25. Pack to Basics Lunch Bag ($20): For the ultimate foodie-on-a-budget, this twist on a classic brown paper bag is crafted from sturdy, tear-resistant, leak-proof material with a crinkled finish. It makes intern lunches a thing of beauty.
26. Russel + Hazel Artisan Journals ($12): There is no excuse for a lack of creative flow with this artsy journal. It will make getting through that holiday to-do list much more enjoyable.
27. Everlane Backpack ($68): There are a million strings to tie up and a zillion things to figure out and tons of places to be when you’re on the intern grind. Zoom around town with all your things on your back and look awesome with this water-resistant backpack.
28. Urbanears Plattan Headphones ($50): Every intern needs a good pair of headphones for their daily dose of musical inspiration. These Urbanears stunners are packed with the latest breakthrough tech.
29. I Don’t Know How to Cook by Mary-Lane Kamberg ($17): Gone are the weeks on weeks of ham sandwich lunches. This beginners’ guide to cooking features everything from granola to gazpacho and is a sure-fire way to impress the whole office.
30. Holiday Cookie Gift Pack ($35): You can’t go wrong giving anything food related to the intern. Help her earn brownie points with a gift the whole office can enjoy.
31. But First, Coffee Thermal Mug ($14): Learning to wake up early can be rough. Make life a bit easier for your early-riser with this must-have insulated thermal mug from Bando.
Which one of these products is on your Christmas wish-list? Tweet us @britandco!
With additional reporting by Cinnamon Janzer and Lindsay Roberts Schey.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.