Six Great Gift Ideas for your Favorite Producer
/Are you still looking for that perfect gift for your favorite producer? We’ve got to admit - we’re a rare breed of humans and can be difficult to shop for.
As our interviews have shown, it’s sometimes hard to explain our work to people outside the industry, which can make practical gift-shopping a challenge for our loved ones. Even for those of us who work in production daily, it can be tricky to find a gift for a colleague that’s both thoughtful and also business-like. Whether you’re a puzzled family member, or a collaborator trying to find the balance between thoughtful and professional, we’ve got a list of can’t-miss gift ideas to get you through the holiday season. Your producer will thank you!
1) A Little Rest, Relaxation & Restoration
Why we love it:
Let’s get real! Your favorite producer has probably been a bit stressed out this year, while carrying the various responsibilities of managing shoots. You may not be able to give them an on-staff assistant, so how about a bit of pampering?
What to give:
Zeel On-Demand Massage. Consider a gift certificate with this service, which comes right to your door. Prices vary by market, but most 60 minute massages are about $100. Use code uo8y for $20 your first Zeel Massage!
Calm Meditation App - With over 100 guided meditations, sleep stories and movement sequences, Calm is a great way to recenter. Push notifications help the subscriber remember to make time for themselves during the day, and Calm is now partnering with XpresSpa in all major US airports, helping to make travel a little less stressful for Calm users. $60 for an annual subscription.
Fancy bath salts - Soak away the stress! This San Francisco-based company uses essential oils & is very economically priced at $13
A coffee & chocolate pairing subscription from Moka Origins could be considered both a treat & a productivity booster with an extra kick of caffeine. Starting at $28.
2) Fanny Pack
Why we love it:
We know, we know… a fanny pack? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some fashionable options. Through the lens of pure practicality, the fanny pack does no wrong. It’s easily accessible, hands-free, and the perfect size for when a backpack is too big and pockets are too small. Wearing one, your upper body is totally unencumbered — a weight off your shoulders in every sense of the phrase.
Where to shop:
Patagonia - Patagonia’s criteria for the best product rests on function, repairability, and, foremost, durability. With a mission to build the best product and a company that was started by a band of rock climbers and surfers, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more utilitarian waist or hip pack. Options range from $29 - $200.
Free People - Willing to give up on a bit of the utility for something more fashionable? Free People has you covered with ~50 different style options priced from about $50-$400. We’re partial to the Cecile Belt Bag at $48.
Amazon - Need the utility, but still need something with a little style? With four separate compartments and a sleek unisex design, this pick is a good blend of form and function. $20
3) Great Reads
Why we love it:
What better way to kick off your 2019 resolutions than with some wisdom from some of our favorite inspirational authors?
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz
“In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.”David & Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits & the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
“In DAVID AND GOLIATH, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, suffer from a disability, lose a parent, attend a mediocre school, or endure any number of other apparent setbacks.”
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
”Since it was first published almost fifteen years ago, David Allen’s Getting Things Done has become one of the most influential business books of its era, and the ultimate book on personal organization. “GTD” is now shorthand for an entire way of approaching professional and personal tasks, and has spawned an entire culture of websites, organizational tools, seminars, and offshoots.
Allen has rewritten the book from start to finish, tweaking his classic text with important perspectives on the new workplace, and adding material that will make the book fresh and relevant for years to come.”
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
”Since it was first published almost a decade ago, Seth Godin's visionary book has helped tens of thousands of leaders turn a scattering of followers into a loyal tribe. If you need to rally fellow employees, customers, investors, believers, hobbyists, or readers around an idea, this book will demystify the process.”
You may also consider a gift subscription to Audible.com which makes most book titles available as audio files. Perfect for those multi-tasking producers!
4) Subscription to a Concierge Service
Why we love it:
When we’re in the midst of production crunch-time, having someone else deal with the minutiae frees us up to deal with the most pressing issues which we often can’t pass to someone else. Save your favorite producer some time (and stress!) by buying them a subscription to a concierge service, which can handle some of the smaller details for them, leaving them to focus on what they do best.
Where to shop:
de Vivre - From helping to organize your home and life, to running errands, or organizing and booking travel arrangements, de Vivre prides itself on helping busy New Yorkers achieve a better work/life balance. And who couldn’t use a little more of that? - Gift certificates start at $180
Journy - Journy’s specialty is travel. You share your travel preferences with them via a quick online survey and one of their travel professionals will plan a trip, tailored to your needs. - Starting at $25 per travel day.
Hello Alfred - This personal weekly concierge/butler service available in most US major cities and can help with everything from grocery shopping to event planning and travel prep.
5) A little levity
Why we love it:
Being able to laugh at oneself is crucial to maintaining production positivity. These gifts may be a bit cheesy, but they got us smiling, nonetheless.
Where to shop:
Cafe Press -
Baseball cap: “Not crazy. Just in pre-production.” — We’ve all been there, right? $15
Tote bag: “This Too Shall Wrap.” - Thank goodness. $17
T-Shirt: “A Producer ?????” - $20-$27Etsy -
Mug - Keep Calm I’m a Producer - $19
6) PRETTY PRODUCTIVITY HELPERS
Why we love it:
ICONIC Travel Wallets - Amazon.com $20
With so many moving parts to keep track of, anything that helps boost our productivity is a godsend. While function is always primary for us, a little bit of beauty never hurt anyone’s day, either. These gifts meet our standards for both.
Leuchtturm1917 - $20
Fancy pens - If you’ve got to do a lot of writing, why not do it with something beautiful? We love these Lamy Safari Fountain Pens - $30. Pair them with your favorite color of Caran d’Ache ink cartridge, for a little extra “pop” to your notes - $8.
Receipt Organizer - Make keeping track of receipts a little easier with one of these ICONIC Travel Wallets. We love their simple, yet elegant design - choose your favorite of 6 color options. $20
Airpods - We spend plenty of time on the phone. Apple AirPods have been a lifesaver for us this year. Free up your hands for note-taking, or even pouring yourself a cup of tea in the midst of a long meeting without having a struggle around headphone cords or the hassle of storing them without getting them kinked or tangled. $150
Notebooks - Speaking of taking notes… we can never have too many notebooks. We love these notebooks from Leuchtturm1917. We love their sleek design and there are about 20 color options to choose from. $20