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Due to the ongoing pandemic and increased workplace flexibility, more Americans are working from home these days.
This holiday season, help your loved ones find more comfort and enjoyment in their workspace. Check out our work-from-home gift guide for the gifts that will upgrade any home office or living space.
Here are the best gifts for recipients who work from home:
Read on for our work-from-home gift guide. Prices are updated as of the publication date.
Purple Seat Cushion
Sitting all day can take a toll on the body, no matter what kind of chair you use. The Purple seat cushion makes a great gift for anyone who sits for extended periods. Like the company’s unique mattress, the seat cushion uses grid technology to cradle the body while keeping air flowing. Reviewers rave over the Purple seat cushion helping relieve back pain and discomfort.
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock
Many folks who worked from home this year did so for the first time. The routine change from getting up and going to another location every day might have come as a shock to their mind and body. Help a friend get back to his natural rhythm, especially in the dark winter months, with a light therapy alarm clock. The artificial light makes for a gentle and energizing alarm and can encourage positive thoughts in those who struggle emotionally with seasonal changes.
Desk Organizer
If there’s one thing on many people’s wish lists this year, it’s a little more space. It would be nice to gift someone their own personal office space, but that might be a little pricey. A desk organizer can help your loved one reorganize and reclaim the small space he or she does have. The Grady Deluxe desk organizer from Wayfair adds a stylish touch of order to any cluttered workspace.
Meditation Box
Take a deep breath. If work wasn’t stressful enough in a normal year, a raging pandemic along with an eventful news cycle can take stress to a new level. Send your colleague a gift that can help her recenter and find a little peace in the workday. A meditation box such as one from Uncommon Goods can encourage self care and mindfulness. The user draws or writes little messages in the sand, then shifts the sand to begin anew.
Under-Desk Elliptical
Cost: $119.99 from Dick’s Sporting Goods. [Buy Now]
An under-desk elliptical brings the gym to the home office. Whether your friend is too tied to his desk to get in a workout, or he simply doesn’t have the space for a full-size exercise machine, an under-desk elliptical can save time and space with its compact and convenient design.
Knit Throw Blanket
One benefit of working from home is no one knows you’re swaddled up in a blanket getting your tasks done. If you know an aficionado of all things cozy, consider gifting a knit throw from Parachute. The Turkish cotton looks excellent and keeps the user warm and comfy.
Back Massager
Going to work in another part of the home might be a little more enticing if your loved one’s work chair includes a deep tissue massage. Help your loved one ease into his or her workday with a heated back massage chair pad. The Comfier Shiatsu selection from Amazon comes highly rated.
The Happier Trails Plant Collection
Liven up someone’s workspace with a collection of low-maintenance plants such as the Happier Trails trio from Bloomscape. These plants are not only able to survive with low light, but help purify the air. They would make an excellent addition to your colleague’s workspace. Plus, if any of the plants die within 30 days, Bloomscape will replace it for free.
Livescribe Symphony Smartpen
Taking notes by hand can be a more efficient way to record and retain information. But keeping tons of filled notepads can be cumbersome. For the note taker in your life, a Livescribe Symphony Smartpen can be an innovative solution. Everything the recipient records on the Livescribe paper gets transferred to a phone, tablet or computer. Your friend can seamlessly transform handwritten notes into flexible electronic documents.
Meal Subscription
Cost: starting at $6.66 per serving from Green Chef. [Buy Now]
Help your companion start off the year with healthy nutrition in mind. Working from home often means eating lunch at home rather than in the office cafeteria or elsewhere. Give the gift of easy healthy meals with a subscription to Green Chef. Choose from standard balanced meals, plant-based dishes, paleo recipes and ketogenic diet meals for those sticking to diet.
Espresso Machine
Coffee lovers might be missing their office’s cafe amenities while they’re working at home. Fuel your coffee lover’s day with a Breville-Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso maker. This top-rated and user-friendly espresso machine brews five different cup sizes.
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker
Plenty of people like to listen to music while they work. Get your friend a durable and high-quality Bluetooth speaker to fill her home office with tunes. The battery lasts up to eight hours, so she can take it with her when she wants to work outside.
Handmade Encouragement Pennant
Add a little inspiration in the office space of someone you care about. A handmade pennant such as one quoting Toni Morrison saying “You are your best thing” can liven up your recipient’s wall and mentality.
Intention Journal
A gorgeous intentional journal from NiLu makes for a lovely gift. Choose to buy one that’s lined or unlined depending on how you think your recipient would like to unleash his or her creative energy.