Need gift ideas for the event manager in your life, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself?
Whatever the reason, we’ve compiled a list of 12 gifts ranging in price from stocking fillers to more indulgent items, guaranteed to surprise, delight and – crucially – be used.
- Milk Chocolate Smartphone: £5.15
Event managers are never without their trusty smartphones but here’s one with a tasty twist – it’s entirely edible! They can keep this chocolate phone with them on a big event and nibble their way through it to make sure they don’t run out of charge during the day.
- Bike Coffee Cup Holder: £6.99
Most EventProfs can’t function in the morning until they’ve had their morning coffee… but what if you’re running late?! This nifty device means even those who cycle to work can drink on the go. For use with any handleless cup.
Frequent travellers will have experienced the difficulties of transporting their takeaway coffee around the airport while trying to pull a trolley bag, hold their coat and their mobile – the struggle is real! Never spill a drop with this handy cup holder.
For the environmentally aware event planner, a KeepCup makes a wonderful gift. KeepCup is a barista standard reusable cup that you can use to make coffee at home or in the office, or take with you for filling at the coffee shop. BPA free and available in 8oz and 12oz capacities.
- Tevina All-in-One Travel Adapter: £16.99
Never be stuck for a power outlet again; this universal adapter can be used in more than 150 different countries. It also comes with two USB ports allowing you to charge your phone and tablet at the same time as drying your hair. Perfect for multi-taskers!
- World Scratch Map: £21.99
The World Scratch Map is like a giant scratch card for those with wanderlust. You can scratch off the gold leaf to uncover all the countries you have visited and create a visual record of your globetrotting.
- Google Daydream View: £69.99
Event managers agree virtual reality will play a major role in events in 2017, so make sure you’re familiar with the tech by investing in your own VR headset. This smart, fabric-covered headset by Google looks great and offers comfort and ease of use. Simply place your “Daydream ready” smartphone (currently only the Google Pixel or Moto Z) in the viewer and you can experience a whole range of games, apps, concerts and sports in 360-degree panoramic view. Comes with a controller for playing games.
Getting shuteye is a priority for busy event managers but it can be difficult when you’re on the move. Give the gift of comfort with this gorgeous cashmere-covered neck cushion. It includes a u-shaped inflatable travel pillow and a drawstring bag, so it can be neatly stored away. Comes in a variety of colours. Plum and Ivory also sells Cashmere eye masks and hot water bottle covers if you want to really treat your loved one (or yourself).
- Parrot Pot: £129.99
With days spent away from home or out of the office, it can be hard for event managers to keep plants alive. If you’re a serial plant killer – or you know one – Parrot Pot is the solution. It’s a smart flowerpot with a self-watering system and four built-in sensors to monitor light, temperature, soil moisture and fertiliser levels. It even sends out alerts to warn you if it’s on the verge of shrivelling.
- The Withings Aura: £149.95/ £249.95 (with one Sleep Sensor)
Waking up ready to face the day is essential for event organisers, and the Aura Connected Alarm Clock promises to help them do just that. It uses a combination of light and music to wake users up gradually and works with a Sleep Sensor to pick the optimal time. It can also help you get to sleep with sleep-inducing sound and light programmes, scientifically-proven to promote the secretion of sleep hormones. Meanwhile, use it as a speaker during the day to play your favourite motivating tunes – it integrates with over 20,000 web radio stations as well as Spotify.
- Amazon Echo: £149.99
Echo is Amazon’s hands-free smart speaker you control with your voice. Simply ask Alexa (like Apple’s Siri) to play music, set alarms, add events to your calendar or provide information like news, sports scores, travel and weather updates. It also works in conjunction with home automation gadgets so you can shout at Alexa to turn on the lights when you’ve got your hands full.
- Apple Watch Sport: £249
Help the event organiser in your life be even more efficient with an Apple Watch. As well as being able to instantly respond to calls, texts, emails and notifications straight from their wrist, they will be able to check sat nav directions and stay healthy by keeping track of their activity and sleep. What’s more, there are so many different face and strap combinations, you can give a gift that reflects their unique style.
Conclusion
Event managers are innately practical people, so get them something useful this Christmas and be sure of giving them a gift that will keep on giving (apart from the chocolate – that will probably be gone quite quickly!).
