The holiday season is just around the corner! If you have an entrepreneur in your life, and you’re trying to think of gift ideas for small business owners that they’ll actually use, then look no further.
As an online business owner myself, I’ve curated a list of my work-from-home essentials and other favorite things I think most entrepreneurs will love! Take a look at the gift ideas below and see if any of them would be a perfect fit for the business owner in your life.
Happy shopping!
* Quick Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you use one to purchase something, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Business owners always need a place to jot down their thoughts, reminders, call notes, or their next big idea. A nice notebook will definitely get a lot of use, especially if it looks good on their desk! You can’t go wrong with the iconic Moleskine Original notebook, or a ruled notebook from Beechmore Books. This Hardcover Notebook is another great option, and this Refillable Leather Notebook would make a beautiful gift that can be used over and over.
This is on my own wish list! The Ember mug is not only beautiful, but it keeps your coffee or tea at the perfect drinking temperature. It’s on the pricier side, but any business owner who likes to work with a hot beverage at arms reach will definitely appreciate this gift.
If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, or something that can be used on the go, a stainless steel mug with a lid is another great option for keeping coffee and tea hot — always appreciated when we’re lost in work and forget about our coffee before it gets cold.
Hydroflask, Yeti, and Polar Camel are all great choices with several style options.
This sleek desk mat comes in two colors. It not only looks nice, but it keeps their desk organized and hides away notes and papers!
Make their workspace a little cozier without the not-so-good stuff. Most candles are filled with ingredients that can be really harmful for your health, and it’s tricky to find good ones. I’m pretty picky when it comes to candle ingredients, but I’ve heard amazing things about the candles from Fig and Fire and Basic Bee Candle Co.
An oversized stainless steel tumbler like my tried-and-true Stanley Quencher will keep their water ice cold, and since it’s so big, they won’t have to get up from their desk to fill it up as often! It also comes in dozens of colors, so you’re sure to find one that fits their aesthetic. If they’re not on board with the Stanley trend, Hydroflask’s Travel Tumbler is another great pick.
This fan never leaves my desk. It’s perfect in the summer when my office gets stuffy, and a lifesaver for client calls (which tend to make me a little sweaty #callanxiety). It plugs into a USB port so it won’t take up space on your wall outlet, and it actually looks cute on your desk! A big plus in my book.
In the winter, or any time of year when their workspace gets cold, your entrepreneur friends will appreciate having a cozy blanket nearby. You can find several good and inexpensive blankets at places like Target. This Bliss Plus Throw Blanket is another great affordable option. If you want to splurge a little, go for something like the popular Barefoot Dreams CozyChic® Throw, this 100% Cotton Fisherman Throw, or the Wicked Cozy Blanket from L.L. Bean.
Tip: Unless you know their favorite color, get something neutral that will go with any office decor!
This one’s at the top of my Christmas list. For the small business owner who creates video content for social media (which is almost everyone nowadays), this fully dimmable lamp works with any smart phone and easily lets you capture video from any angle. This one’s also on the pricer side, but the content creator in your life will love you for this one. It also comes in a mini size!
A professional webcam dramatically improves video quality on their computer. Perfect for the entrepreneur who wants to elevate their virtual meeting experience, record video content from their laptop, or simply look more professional on video calls. The Opal C1 is a professional, DSLR-quality webcam that also improves audio and connects with a desktop app that lets you record and edit video, adjust lighting settings, and more!
All business owners need a reliable laptop. If it’s time for an upgrade, and you want to give a really generous gift, offer to get them a new one! I’m personally a big fan of Macbook Pros, but everyone has different needs and preferences depending on the type of work they do. So make sure to ask them what laptop they prefer!
Every small business needs a website and a social media presence. If their Instagram or site needs a visual upgrade, *TONIC makes my all-time favorite templates. I’ve worked with several of their Showit website templates, and they’re all beautiful, strategic, and easy to customize. Their Canva templates are perfect for elevating their Instagram or email marketing game (I’ve personally purchased their email graphic templates, which are incredible). Anything from TONIC would make a thoughtful and generous gift!
P.S. Use code HOMEWARD for 15% off your purchase!
I’d go out on a limb and say most business owners are hooked on coffee. For your coffee-obsessed entrepreneur friends, Fellow products make perfect gifts. They’re sure to love the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle (on my wish list!), travel mugs and drinkware, or the Clara French Press. Check out their Holiday Gift Guide for more ideas!
What better gift for coffee lovers than coffee? For the at-home barista who loves to try new beans and roasts from around the world, Fellow Drops sends a weekly text with a new curated coffee that they can order directly. Gift them a digital gift card that they can put toward a bag of beans! For the ones who prioritize clean and organic coffee beans, Purity and Lifeboost coffee are fantastic brands!
Us work-from-home entrepreneurs spend a lot of time sitting, but walking pads can help us stay active and get our steps in, even when we’re behind the computer. I’m seeing so many fellow business owners with walking pads lately! There are a lot of options out there, like the UREVO 3-in-1 Treadmill which comes with a removable desk attachment, or the UMAY Walking Pad which can slide under a standing desk, like this one.
Take it from someone who knows, slouching over a laptop all day can cause a lot of neck and back pain. A massage gun can be used at their desk to dig into those sore muscles and help ease some of that pain. The popular Theragun is a great choice, or this one from Amazon (which I personally own) works well too.
Even when business owners are stuck behind a desk all day, we still need those minerals to keep us hydrated throughout the day! I’m currently loving the Just Ingredients electrolytes! Relyte Hydration, LMNT, and Rayvi are all good options too.
For the business owners like me who struggle to get enough protein in a day, or accidentally work through lunch now and then, having a quality protein powder on hand for a quick and filling snack is such a lifesaver! I’ve used and loved the protein powder from Just Ingredients, and I’ve also heard great things about Promix and Truvani.
Whether we go into an office every day or not, us women like to feel put together when we work! I personally find that putting on a little makeup, even if I’m not going to be on any calls, can help me feel a little more ready and energized for the day. My all-time favorite makeup brand is *Crunchi, because they have truly non-toxic products that actually work! So I can feel more put together, and feel good about what I’m putting on my skin. The Daylight® Facial Cream, eyeshadow, or Hydrogloss Lip Oil would make great gifts for the female entrepreneurs in your life—or snag one of their holiday gift sets while they last!
I also love a lot of the products from Primally Pure (like the Everything Balm, Body Butter, and skin masks), and the face serum and lip balms from Just Ingredients.
The work-from-home women in your life will love a cozy pair of slippers! I’ve loved my slippers from Pottery Barn, like these Lightweight Resort Slippers, and from L.L. Bean, like these Wicked Good Moccasins. You could also go for something more structured, like the trending Tasman Slipper (and it’s budget-friendly dupe from Quince), or something seasonal, like these adorable Peanuts™ Slippers.
When you work from home every day, you want to feel put together and comfy. I practically live in my Vuori Performance Joggers (aka the most comfortable pair of pants I’ve ever worn). You also can’t go wrong with a cute matching set like this half-zip sweatshirt set or this slouchy knit set, or a classic knit cardigan like this Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan, which can be worn at home or the office!
Whether they go into an office every day, or occasionally work from a coffee shop, most working women will appreciate a good bag that can safely hold their laptop and other necessities. The Haven Laptop Tote Bag from Calpack has a removable insert that can hold all the things and comes in several colors. Madewell’s Zip-Top Transport Carryall is a beautiful leather option with lots of space, and The BÉISics Tote from Bèis Travel is a smaller canvas option with plenty of room for the essentials. If backpacks are more their style, the ReNew Transit Backpack from Everlane or the Backpack from Bèis are both great options.
A nice backpack they can take to the office or a coffee shop is a great gift idea for the businessmen in your life. Some great picks are the Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack, Incase ICON Backpack, Matein travel backpack, and YOREPEK extra large travel backpack
If they prefer a messenger or briefcase style work bag, some nice options are the Samsonite Classic Leather Toploader Briefcase, Nisolo’s Loreto Messenger Bag, the ESTARER Laptop Messenger Bag, and the BAGSMART Laptop Bag.
This is my husband’s favorite hat brand. Perfect for the business owner on travel days or the “I don’t want to wash my hair” kind of days. According to the guys I know who love this brand, Melin hats are water repellant, floatable, breathable, and they maintain their shape!
If the businessmen you know like to have their notes, pens, cards, etc. organized wherever they go, a nice padfolio would make a great gift, like this customizable leather portfolio on Amazon, or Milwaukee Leather’s Traditional Padfolio or Professional Padfolio with a button clasp.
Help keep them organized in style for their next business trip with a nice passport holder, like this one from Portland Leather, the Passport and Luggage Tag set from Bèis, or this budget-friendly option on Amazon.
Whether they’re going on a quick road trip or an international flight, a good travel bag will always come in handy as a carry-on, personal item, or a weekender bag. Away’s Everywhere Bag is a great pick, and Bèis has several nice options, like the Commuter Duffle, or the Weekender (which also comes in a Mini version that I’ve got on my own Christmas list).
This one will be more of an investment, but if they don’t already have a nice set of luggage, they will definitely appreciate a gift like this (if you’ve ever tried to wheel a cheap carry-on suitcase around an airport, you know the struggle)! There are several great luggage brands out there. Some nice ones are Away, Quince, Bèis, and Monos.
Paying for professional services makes a fantastic gift for entrepreneurs! If they do a lot of driving for their work, chances are they don’t have a lot of extra time to keep their car clean. Paying for a car detailing would be practical and thoughtful!
For the ones who work from home every day, their house is their office. When life and work get hectic, sometimes keeping the house clean and organized drops to the bottom of the to-do list, especially if they have children (if you know, you know!). Gifting them a professional house cleaning or organizing service would take a huge weight off their shoulders. Plus, it’s so much easier to work in a clean and clutter-free environment! I recommend finding a company that uses non-toxic products so their environment stays clean and healthy!
Most small business owners are always needing updated brand photos or headshots to market their business. Many of us don’t make the time or investment to do it as often as we’d like! Help support their business in a practical and thoughtful way by gifting them a brand photography session! Note: all photographers have different styles and specialities, so rather than booking the photographer of your choice, I suggest asking the recipient to choose their fave brand photographer and offering to pay for the session!
I couldn’t close this section without a shameless plug 😉 If the entrepreneur in your life is longing to feel confident in the way they present their business, they may be looking for some help with the visual side of things. Help them gain that confidence, and support their business in a big way by contributing toward a design service with Homeward Creative Co.! There are offerings for various budgets and needs — whether it’s a new set of logos, an elevated website, or a couple small design tasks. Chat with the recipient to find out what they need, and offer to pay for, or contribute to, the project!
When in doubt, go with a gift card. Whether they already have everything, or they’re just hard to shop for, all business owners will appreciate a little extra cash to spend on what they need when they need it!
Hopefully this gave you some gift ideas for the small business owners in your life. If you’re an entrepreneur and you have other gifts to add to the list, feel free to reach out and let me know! I’ll be adding to this list as long as I keep thinking of more ideas!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
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