Diana Podaski, Linear Retail Properties

Every year as the leaves begin to change and I have to start wearing a more practical jacket to work, I know it’s time to start my holiday gift search. I’ve flipped through countless holiday swag books from vendors nationwide, attended a give-away tradeshow, and have scoured the Internet for all the latest and greatest. After all the research, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite items ranging from subscriptions and goodies to paper products and wishes.

1. Adult Coloring Book - $12

Allow your clients to take a break from spreadsheets and word docs to color. Lately, the most popular books at book stores has been the Johanna Basford adult coloring books. She has many coloring books, but I like the idea of giving out “Johanna’s Christmas” featuring 37 holiday images of holly and ivy, decorated trees, snowflakes, mountains, and sleights. Be sure to pair with colored pencils or markers.

2. Birchbox - $20 to start

Now for women and men, 4-5 high-end beauty brand samples to your clients door every month. Rest assured this is a luxury, not an insult. Pick a generic box to start and then your guest can build a profile and receive more customized items. Skin, hair, style and grooming items all delivered to your guest’s home or office. Use code CLEANUP for a free gift with the subscription. 

3. Dancing Deer Baking Co: Hanukkah Stars Gift – $29.99

Tailor your sweet tooth to your recipient who doesn’t celebrate Santa coming down the chimney. Many people give holiday goodies, but honestly Dancing Deer is the best. They have a great presentation, are good to work with and their product is eye-rolling delicious.

4. VINEBOX - A Wine by the Glass Club - $30/month

For the wine lover…or for the person that wants to be a wine lover. This is a monthly subscription to a wine club, but it’s totally unique in that you try three different glasses that come in vials (so your client can feel extra sophisticated). It’s a great way to try wines you can’t get from your local packie. Leave it to these sommeliers that have tasted over 10,000 wines to bring you the best.

5. Gourmet Oil Dipping Spice Kit - $35

No matter what the gender, everyone enjoys dipping some freshly baked artisan bread into dipping oil with herbs. Uncommongoods brings us this gift with 15 different flavors in the set of spice blends. Hello wine and cheese nights.

6. Drone with Camera - $38

Help your client take a shot of the perfect aerial they are in search of for their next marketing piece. There are many drones on Amazon and in stores. One of the bestsellers I’ve found that’s inexpensive and still has a camera is the Syma X5C Ais Gyro Quadcopter.

7. Solo Stove Bonfire - $109 and up

Pretty much a bonfire wherever you want it. This item started on Kickstarter and has a few models. The Bonfire edition should be released soon as its fully funded. Its wood burning, eco-friendly, lightweight and durable = done.

8. JBL Pulse Bluetooth Speaker with LED Light Show - $159.99

Pump up the sound with this amazing quality speaker. Sync to your phone and play all the favorites while enjoying an LED light show that moves to the beats of the song. It can be custom branded and comes with a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth connectivity. Looking for a less expensive version? Try the Brookstone Bop which still punches a mean sound for $32 and is also Bluetooth enabled.

9. The Yeti Hopper 20 - $299.99

If you’re trying to find a gift for men that don’t like most things you give them, you will not disappoint with the Yeti Hopper. The Yeti Hopper is a portable cooler that keeps ice for days. The perfect tailgating accessory holding up to 18 cans. Oh and bigger versions are bear-proof, because who doesn’t need a bear-proof cooler? (Photo taken from Yeti website)

10. Grant a Wish! - $26/ea for 300 people ($8,000)

Nothing says holidays like giving back. For as little as $26/person for 300 gifts you can grant a child’s wish through Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter. Help make a dream come true for a seriously ill child in your community. I’d suggest sending a card with a note in it, or even better, send an engraved ornament. You can even follow up later in the year and keep your clients engaged with stories throughout the wish granting process. http://massri.wish.org/ways-to-help/sponsorships/our-sponsors

Fun Facts: Once in a store, shoppers are much less likely than they are online to leave empty-handed. Store conversion rates average 25% to 45%, while online conversion is only 2% to 5%. (Source: Bain & Company, Retail Holiday Newsletter 2015-2016). Holiday shoppers plan to spend an average of $683.90 this holiday season. (Source: ICSC).

Diana Podaski is VP - marketing and social media at Linear Retail Properties, Burlington, Mass.