Christmas gift ideas for small business owners
Not your typical Google search that brought you here (congrats on getting so niche!) but I thought I would share some really useful and genuinely thoughtful things that small business owners in your life may actually want (rather than a panettone that will sit in the cupboard for the next 3 years).
I’ve tried to put together a combination of low and high budget options, which I’ve indicated with £££ signs, but to be honest, a lot of small business owners when coming up to Christmas are burnt out and exhausted.
I know that all I want for Christmas is someone to take my phone away from me, lock it in a drawer and play board games with me so I can avoid screens and properly detox from the rat race of self-employment. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what I do. I love capturing photos of amazing business owners, running photography events and immersing myself in the community BUT I also want Instagram to cease to exist. Just for a week. So I can stuff myself silly with sausage rolls and quality street, get overly competitive at Settlers of Catan and Monopoly and do a couple of jigsaws. Yes, I am actually a grandmother in a 30-year-old’s body.
A Lumie alarm clock - ££
That evil shrill from an iphone HAS to go. Waking up with a sunrise in the depths of winter (even if is artificial) is a game changer. You wake up without wanting to die and the mental state that starts your day on is just good vibes.
A massage - ££
My body hurts. I’m a photographer so I’m often doing barrel rolls in the middle of the floor with kilos of gear strapped to my body so I may be a bit of an exception but even hunching over a desk can get your back in a very unhappy place. Nothing like a massage to prioritise some time for yourself and realign your vertebrae. Although if back pain has been a complaint, maybe consider the chiropractor instead…
Business books (but actually helpful ones) - £
I love to curl up in an arm chair and read. Sometimes i’m not in a headspace to tackle my to do list mountain so I’ll turn to a business book to make a good use of my time and boost my knowledge. But I get to do it on a cushion, under a blanket. Winning.
I recommend:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
A portrait photo session - ££
The ultimate Christmas present. Gift an actually useful business resource with a gift voucher for a portrait session. Not only is it the perfect way to start the new year with some fresh content, portrait sessions are a perfect way to celebrate a person and give them a confidence boost with a side of empowerment. It’s both thoughtful and useful and often a thing that isn’t prioritised, particularly by women, because they feel that they aren’t good enough or they put their kids, families, friends in front of their wants or needs. Allow a women in your life to be truly seen.
Disclaimer: I’m sure you have a business friend or family member in mind since you got so far on this list, but portrait sessions can just be confidence boosting, empowerment exercises for any man or women.
Fill in my contact form here and quote ‘XMAS23’ in the booking form to buy a voucher.
Example portraits of Amanda - An Australian Wedding Photographer
Cute stationery (from a small business obvs. Put the amazon app away.) - £
Notebooks, pens, post-its, all helpful stuff. Although I love Onpaper - Alice does great planning resources to kick start the goal setting season.
Babysitting time! - FREE
For those mum’s juggling business and babies, this is invaluable and completely free to you. It will mean more to them than you know.
An Oodie - £
For those doing long stints at a desk in the winter, and trying to save the heating bill, an Oodie can be a game changer. Stay snuggly and warm but also able to function.
Prints for the office - £
If your loved one is an artsy type then art prints can be a lovely way to decorate an office. I love mine by Peski Studio and David Doran.
Coffee voucher - £
Most of us small business owners escape to a cafe for some sanity and some atmosphere when we are feeling a bit lonely. This doesn’t stop us baulking at the £4+ coffee price. Make our January a bit more guilt free and fuel our caffeine habit further, because that’s what fuels the creativity…
Side note:
I spoke to some other business owners when compiling this list and there were some suggestions that you may want to think about should you be feeling creative. A ‘bath of chocolate’ was number one, ‘time off’ came in at a close second, with a four slice toaster and a mug with a lid coming in as more practical possibilities. I just want to caveat that I take no responsibility for what you buy your loved one this Christmas and the mood it may or may not put them in…
Are you shopping for yourself this Christmas?
Treat yourself and have your photo taken. 90% of the women that I have worked with have declared that they hate the camera, don’t want their photo taken but they know it’s important to be visible online. They’ve strutted out of their session with electrified energy, having had a great time and then they have a full gallery of personalised images for them to use. Empowering AND practical. It’s a no brainer.
Want to discuss a shoot?
