Holiday shopping locally this season? In our series of posts featuring business gift ideas, we’ve mentioned many fabulous local artists and businesses. Need more ideas? Download Local First Chicago’s Independent Chicagoan Shopping Guide! The guide featuring local shops and services who are members of Local First Chicago, makes it easy to get your shopping done while also supporting your community.
Happy shopping!
If you read the bright spot, you know how much I love dogs being featured as catalog models. Imagine my joy when I found this furry fellow in the latest Crate & Barrel holiday catalog. Maybe he’s not as elegant as the pashmina-sporting pup in the White House Black Market catalog—but a looker nonetheless. And with a matching pillow to boot. It makes me want to buy that chair!
Anyone else see any fetching (pun intended) canine catalog models lately? Please share!
I first noticed a Chicago Neighborhood Poster by Ork Posters a few years back while strolling the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Square… and have been enamored ever since. The city neighborhood posters are available for many popular cities (Chicago, LA, NYC, Seattle, Boston + more) in both single- and multi-color prints (my fave shown at left). I think they would make a great gift for local coworkers—or business associates across the country. And if you really love them, you could have it framed too.
Buy online or if youre in Chicago, stop by the Ork Posters Holiday Store in Ravenswood.
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?
A great way to say thank you to clients and coworkers is with a set of decorated notecards. We all know how meaningful a handwritten note is, but it’s easy to forget—especially during the busy holiday season. Make it easy for your gift recipient and give them a set of notecards plus a fancy pen and packet of stamps. In fact, maybe you should pick up a set (or two) for yourself too!
Shown are favorites from (left to right) our own line of greeting cards, Night Owl Paper Goods and fellow Chicago artist Laura Berger.
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?
I love this idea that PANTONE tweeted about earlier today: custom PANTONE flash drives. Choose from 14 PANTONE colors. Order 10+ and get your logo and website engraved (see my faux example—cool eh?) Order a bunch to give away for the holidays—as well as to keep handy in your laptop bag for client meetings (never be without a flash drive when you need one!)
These would also be useful for photographers or illustrators who supply clients with images on disk. It makes a neat, memorable leave-behind. The possibilities are endless. Thanks for the idea, PANTONE!
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?
The Perfect Assistant Bundle of desk pads from Knock Knock is the perfect gift for a cubicle-dwelling co-worker or client. The set includes essentials such as My Top Secret Password Pad, Endless Voicemail Paper Mousepad, While You Were Out Nifty Note and the Paper E-Mail Nifty Note.
Or make a custom desk stationery set by choosing from Knock Knock’s assortment of fun and snarky desk pads and file folders. Make working fun again!
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?
photo by monstershaq2000
We are delighted to be featured in the 2009 Indie Biz Chicks Holiday Gift Guide!
Brought to you by Indie Biz Chicks, the Guide featuring holiday tips, ideas and recipes also showcases artisan-designed gifts ranging from holiday cards and greeting cards (by yours truly) to handcrafted jewelry, totes, and kids wearables. Start your holiday shopping—all in one place.
For a modern take on the traditional holiday gift basket, head over to That’s Caring. Gone are the fruitcakes and meats, their hip gift baskets offer gourmet pastas, spa goodies and pet treats, just to name a few. Many selections are from local businesses such as one of my faves, The Enterprising Kitchen—and their baskets are packaged and shipped using environmentally friendly materials and methods. Your client or colleague will be thrilled with their gift—and you’ll have the warm fuzzy feeling that comes along with supporting local businesses and the envrionment.
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?
Give your client or co-worker a stylish mug in their favorite (PANTONE) color. This colorful collection of 10 PANTONE-hued mugs from Uncommon Goods is available in shades that are sure to satisfy everyone on your business gift list. Pair with a bag of coffee or box of tea and you have an easy yet thoughtful holiday gift.
P.S. My favorite is 549C!
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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving? for more ideas.
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