From tech tools to personalized presents: Holiday gifts marketers actually want

Put away the fruit cake and ugly sweaters. This holiday season calls for a more thoughtful approach to gifting, especially when it comes to the discerning marketer in your life. 

Channeling the spirit of Oprah’s “Favorite Things,” I’ve put together a selection of innovative gift ideas designed to impress. From cutting-edge gadgets that redefine work efficiency to bespoke items that add a personal touch, each suggestion is handpicked to surprise and delight the marketers in your life. 

Three French hens? A partridge in a pear tree? Forget about it. Here’s what your favorite marketer is looking for this holiday season. 

For the marketer who’s always working

For the marketer who is always on the move, juggling multiple projects and deadlines, I’ve found the perfect tech companion: Duet Display. This subscription service transforms your iPad or Android device into a high-performance second screen for your Mac or PC.

Imagine the convenience of extending your desktop workspace while on a coffee run or turning a tablet into an interactive presentation tool during client meetings. Duet Display makes this a reality. It’s the first solution of its kind to offer such seamless connectivity between macOS, Windows, iOS and Android platforms. 

This flexibility is a game-changer for marketers who need a versatile setup for their remote desktop, additional display space or even a portable drawing tablet. Whether it’s editing a last-minute campaign graphic or reviewing metrics spreadsheets, the extra screen space can be a lifesaver.

A subscription to Duet Display for the on-the-go marketer isn’t just a gift; it’s an upgrade to their professional toolkit.

Dig deeper: Marketers need to be ‘always-on’ for holiday shopping

For the marketer who works from home

Home offices and remote work are increasingly common, so ensuring a safe work environment is paramount. For the marketer who’s transformed a corner of their home into a professional haven, consider a gift that blends safety with innovation: the DeNova Detect Natural Gas Alarm.

This isn’t an ordinary gas alarm. It’s the first and only 10-year, 100% battery-operated natural gas alarm available in the U.S. With the rise in natural gas explosions and the alarming statistics from the National Fire Protection Association highlighting over 4,200 home fires ignited by natural gas annually, this alarm is more than a thoughtful gift — it’s a potentially life-saving device.

What impresses me most about the DeNova Detect alarm is its early-warning technology. It alerts users to natural gas leaks a full 11 minutes sooner than other alarms on the market. In emergency situations, these minutes are crucial for safety, allowing individuals to evacuate faster and alert emergency services before an explosion occurs.

During the holidays, when families gather and homes are alight with cooking and lit fireplaces, the importance of natural gas safety cannot be overstated. DeNova Detect will keep your family and home office safe during this holiday season and always.

For the marketer who loves a tradeshow

The marketing world thrives on networking and personal connections, often made at tradeshows and industry events. For the marketer who loves to make a lasting impression in these environments, here’s the perfect stocking stuffer: custom accessories from Specialist ID.

Specializing in identification accessories, the company offers a wide range of customizable products that are both practical and great branding opportunities. Their collection includes lanyards, ID badge holders, badge reels and armband holders, all of which can be tailored to suit the individual style or branding needs of marketers.

In an era where personal branding is as important as corporate branding, having custom accessories showcases your professional identity and your connection to your brand. Whether it’s a sleek, minimalist design for the modern marketer or something bold and colorful for the creative, the possibilities are endless. It’s a gift that’s practical, personal and sure to be appreciated at their next big event.

Dig deeper: No matter the time of year, there’s a holiday you should be planning a campaign for

For the marketer who loves to read

For the marketer who finds solace and inspiration in the pages of a book, I’ve picked out something special. Beyond the typical industry manuals and self-help guides, I recommend diving into Dorie Clark’s “The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World.” This book isn’t just a read; it’s an exploration of the strategic, big-picture thinking that is crucial in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape.

As a personal touch, I’ll also include my own book, “Momentum: The 5 Marketing Principles That Will Propel Your Business In The Digital Age.” This book is a guide to understanding how to cut through the noise and create momentum around your brand. It’s packed with practical tips and actionable tactics. 

Together, these books offer a blend of strategic foresight and practical skills that marketers can apply in their day-to-day work and as a tool to grow their careers.

For the corporate marketer

For the corporate marketer — or really anyone working in a corporate environment — who faces the challenge of finding appropriate gifts for clients and colleagues, may I recommend a Giftpack AI plan? After all, everyone has their own personality and that often comes with a unique set of preferences. This is the main reason for endless hours, days and even months of trying to choose a gift that our counterparts will cherish for years to come. 

Giftpack AI uses artificial intelligence to offer a unique and efficient gifting experience. What makes it stand out is its ability to understand and match the personal preferences and tastes of the gift recipient. The AI sifts through an extensive array of options to find the perfect gift, taking into account the individual’s likes, interests and even past behavior.

This level of personalization is crucial in today’s corporate world, where a gift can speak volumes about the relationship between the giver and the recipient. Whether you’re buying for a remote team member, a valuable client or a supportive vendor, don’t give the gift of meaningless corporate swag. Recommending AI-enabled gift-giving to the corporate marketer in your life could be the answer to their gifting dilemmas. 

Dig deeper: Consumers look to use AI for holiday shopping

As the festive season approaches, I hope this guide inspires you to select gifts that acknowledge and celebrate the multifaceted roles and interests of the marketers in your life. After all, in a profession that thrives on creativity and innovation, the gifts we choose should reflect just that. Happy gifting!