30 Holiday Gifts for your work besties under $30

Well, hello!

It is that time of year again! No, not when you experiment with a friend’s hazardous-sounding eggnog recipe (but if that’s your thing, I’m not here to stop you ??

That’s right. It’s time for holiday gift-giving, and that includes the folks you are in the trenches with in this crazy business. To keep things on budget and on point for you, we’ve compiled this list of the 30 most wonderful gifts of the year under $30.?

Without further ado…

Gifts for Getting Work Done

1.Canva for teams - Make sure you can all access this simple, intuitive graphic design platform to produce the most eye-catching promos for your destination clients this year. Give the gift of Canva.

2. Podcast guest mic - This particular version is advertised for karaoke - but can definitely double as a mic for in-house guests on your podcast.????

3. Phone camera lens kit - when you’re called upon to get a great shot of a destination you are promoting, it’s good to have the right gear. This setup from Samsung can give you the edge you need.?

4. Ticket to DestiCon - Do not miss this Jan 12 and 13, 2023 event for your whole team. We are very pleased to host DestiCon 2023, the place for destinations who think differently. The place for placemakers. The place for tourism partners. This is a unique, immersive virtual event/education experience for destinations AND their partners. And, free for a short time for industry folks (limited capacity)

5. Cell phone stand - A good cell phone stand keeps your phone where you can find it. These are great for charging, video conferencing, and scrolling TikTok without worrying about carpal tunnel!?

6. Video conference lighting kit - Among those items we didn’t know we needed a few years ago is this. Stay out of the shadows on those Zoom calls, and lit like a pro.?

7. Headset - Along with lighting, headsets are a big need especially for those sharing space and needing to stay focused on what they are listening to.?

8. Earbuds - Most of us don’t want to be wearing headsets every minute. But those earbuds get lost quickly. After a couple of times watching $100 plus dollars disappear under seat cushions, the lower-price versions start looking very attractive, and they work just as well.

9. Ergonomic laptop stand - Are people on your team losing their posture to hunch over at their workstation? A laptop stand that allows people to work with a straight back will be much appreciated.?

10. LOVEHOME lumbar support pillow - This one is a NYT best lumbar support and the price is right at under $30 at a local or online retailer.

11. Phone charger - Ok, not the most exciting of gifts, but the phones are not going to charge themselves. Not yet, anyway.?

12. Personalized sticky notes - If they use sticky notes, why not give them something a little more fun than basic yellow? Customized with a name or photo and those sticky notes go from bland to grand!?

13. New water bottle - I don’t know about you, but my water bottle gets a lot of use and gets dented, breaks, or gets lost regularly - a new one is always welcome.

14. Planners - Find unique planners from Etsy that fit everyone’s style and your budget.

15. Notebooks and Journals - This business is all about finding creative solutions. For many, that means having a notebook or journal close at hand. Appointed.co has a great selection in the $18 - $30 range.?

Gifts to Celebrate the Art of Experience

Of course, there is much more to life than work, but we did choose to make a living this way for a reason. The gifts we give can reflect that. This business is all about finding amazing experiences. This next set of gifts is all about that.?

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16. Gift cards from local restaurants or retail stores - We are all in this business because we appreciate a sense of place. Celebrate that with a “shop local” gift card.?

17. Tickets to a minor league team – minor league sporting events can be so much fun. Just ask the Savannah Bananas!?

18. Tickets to a favorite music or theater venue Support local music and theater with a ticket that probably squeaks in just at or under $30.?

19. Driving range - A gift card for a local driving range will be a most welcome gift for the golfers on your team.

Gifts for Home Time

We can’t spend every minute out and about. Gifts for the home are another great way to show your appreciation for team members.??

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20. Tea press - There are folks who pass up the coffee in favor of a nice cup of tea. How the tea gets brewed is a big deal. A tea press like this Bodum Assam is sure to impress.?

21. Pour over coffee kit - Then there are the coffee snobs on your list. I’m one, so I don’t mind admitting it. A pour over system gives a coffee lover a tiny slice of zen before they freak out about not having coffee yet.?

22. Ceramic frying pan - Like this one from Greenpan, for your workmate who loves a perfect omelet.?

23. Food from a favorite celeb chef - We like Momofuku but there are tons of other options out there. A perfect gift, because who is not a foodie in this business??

24. Cookbooks - For the chefs on your list, like a signed Franklin Barbecue Meat-Smoking Manifesto

25. The kitchen gadget they wish they had - A microplane or garlic grater – there is always something for the kitchen we didn’t know we needed until it was gifted to us. Be the gadget gifter!

26. Books - What do your teammates like to read? For fiction, I couldn’t put down Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro. A must-read for business owners this year is Jenny Blake’s Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business.?

27. Prints from local artists You love to support local artists, and galleries often have prints and other items under $30.?

28. Soaps and such - A collection of locally-made soaps or bath bombs – or anything from Sandia Soap - can make a great gift. From Sandia, we recommend Jemez Morning.?

29. Plants – Not everyone on your team has a green thumb, but for those who love their plants and gardens, something living and green is a great gift.

30. A favorite drizzle - Whether it’s flavor-infused olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oyster sauce, or sriracha - don’t underestimate the beauty and power of a condiment.

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That’s a lot of options for you to consider. Don't fear, there is still time to find a thoughtful gift for the other tourism pros in your life. Have fun with it!

And, oh yeah, get a free ticket (or 2) to DestiCon 23