The 2012 holiday shopping season is here! And if you’re anything like me then you’ve only just begun thinking about a plan of action and making a list of who’s getting what this year. And because I wanted to make your (and any of my friends/family that may be reading this) lives easier, I’ve prepared a gift guide for the PR girl in your life. And yes, this list is playing double duty because I would GLADLY accept any of the items mentioned below (*wink*).
Hashtags + Stilettos PR Girl Holiday Gift Guide 2012
#1. Three Month Subscription to a Beauty Sampling Service ($60 value)
The PR pro in your life is probably a masterful shopper and she always knows about the latest product innovation on the market. The problem is…she never has any time to shop. Which is why this season’s gift that keeps on giving is the beauty/lifestyle sampling services. Sign your girl up for a 3-month subscription and she’ll receive up to 7 samples or full-size products each month. Need help choosing a relevant sampling service? Check My Subscription Addiction for a comprehensive list of everything from beauty to DIY.
#2. A Coffee Table Book – The Conversation Starter ($35 value)
Coffee table books are great conversation starters for the home or office. Think about the type of PR your gal pal does for a living and look for new releases that are getting a lot of buzz. For the lifestyle PR girl go with Grace: A Memoir by VOGUE magazine creative director Grace Coddington or Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work a book that features the work spaces of some of today’s most creative people in business (think: Jenna Lyons, Chris Benz and Jonathan Adler)
#3. Two Year Magazine Subscription ($40 value)
PR is one of those fields where being a ‘know it all’ is actually a good thing. Help your PR pro stay up to date on current events by getting them a two year subscription to a magazine of their choice. Seems like a small gesture, but trust me they’ll love it! Want to make it a surprise and aren’t sure what pubs they like? Try Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
#4. Ultrathin iPad Keyboard Cover ($100 value)
A good wi-fi connection is like an IV for your PR girl. She needs to be connected at all times just as bad as she needs to breathe. So if she already has an iPad, consider getting her a chic keyboard cover to go with it so that she can handle her business while on-the-go.
#5. Touch Technology Gloves ($35 value)
While we’re on the subject of on-the-go connectivity, these touch technology gloves by Echo design are the perfect complement for any other tech-related holiday purchase you get your PR girl. Most gloves have to be removed in order to use a touch screen device during the cold weather months, but not these!
#6. A Stylish Pair of Prescription Glasses or Personality Frames ($95 value)
At first glance, this may appear to be totally self-serving since most of you know I wear prescription glasses (I own the WP frames in the picture above). And while I do need a pair of back-up frames, I also know a lot of other PR girls who wear glasses too and may be in need of an upgrade. If that’s the case, consider getting her a gift card to Warby Parker. Don’t worry about picking the wrong frames because WP has a free at-home try-on service. And once your PR gal knows what she wants, all she has to do is go online and put in her prescription and wait for her glasses in the mail. And if you know someone going for the ‘personality frame’ look, they can also order their WP’s with no prescription.
Also read: Warby Parker’s Excellent Customer Service Strategy
#7. Custom Stationery ($50 value)
A chic thank-you note or memo written on custom stationary is a great tool in the art of persuasion. So making sure your PR pro is fully stocked will definitely earn you some brownie points. Not sure where to find custom stationary? Try The Stationery Studio.
#8. A Complete DVD Box Set of Her Favorite Show(s) ($30-50 value)
If your PR pro is always busy and rarely has (or makes) time to catch her favorite shows on TV, a full-series- or season DVD box set is the perfect gift. In fact, I still need to see seasons 3 and 4 of Ugly Betty and that show has been off the air for at least a year now. Sad…I know.
#9. 2013 Instagram Calendar ($40 value)
For most PR girls, Instagram isn’t just another social media platform she’s had to master for her clients, it’s a way of life. When she’s not sending out visual updates for work, she may be posting foodporn, inspirational quotes, fall foliage or updates from her daily adventures. To celebrate your budding photog friend, consider getting a 2013 calendar made from 365 of her best instagram photos from Printstagram.
#10. Spa Treatment Gift Card ($50-200 value)
Earlier this year Public Relations Executive was listed as the seventh most stressful job in America, so a good ole-fashioned massage or facial is always on your PR pro’s wish list no matter what time of year it is. For deals, check your local Living Social, Gilt City or Groupon sites or you can purchase a gift card directly from the spa. In NYC? Try the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.
Got other great gift ideas for the PR girl (or guy) in your life? Put it in the comments!