Posted by Mariella

Christmas is drawing near and I’m sure the whole lot of you are clamoring on your last-minute Christmas shopping. Sadly, it’s human nature to act at the last minute and I, myself, am guilty of the act. You might currently be wondering what to give blogger friends and at the same time, wondering what your family and friends would get you. While many might prefer completely digressing from their blogging interest, many bloggers would still be pleased if you give them gifts related to their blogging needs. For one, they’d need it sooner or later. And then of course, even if some might be annoyed that they’re reminded of work during a holiday, they’d use the gift later anyways. It’s a win-win situation. You’d know what to give and at the same time, the recipient would be pleased.

If you’re a blogger, yourself, the first thing to think of is what would please you. You might have a different taste from the recipient of the gift, but if the object is useful for bloggers, most probably the differences would be subtle such as color preferences. Here are some suggestions on what to get a blogger for Christmas:

1. A Big Calendar

No, really. A big calendar could be used to mark events. While there are many digital versions available, I still prefer the old tangible calendar. Find something wherein one can write notes for each date. There’s something different about seeing your activities listed on paper, tacked on the wall.

2. A Diary or an Organizer

While digital versions are the preference for making editorial calendars, I also like to mark events on organizers anyhow. It’s simply because I can take a look at it anywhere and anytime away from the computer which reminds me what I’m supposed to be doing at the present time. So if you’ve forgotten what you’re about to do and you’re away from your computer, you’d have a reminder with you.

Another thing is that when you’re so used to working on a computer, you might experience schedule blindness. While you’re doing one thing, you might slip into doing another without meaning to, especially if something unexpected comes along such as an important email or technical problems. During these times, non-digital schedules really help out.

3. Books

Do I really have to explain? Get the blogger books related to his or her niche. While many would, of course, already have the books they want, consider getting something very new or raid their libraries first so you’d know which ones they already have.

4. Gift Certificates and Magazine Subscriptions

If you don’t want to go to the bookstore to pick out a book or if you really don’t know what they’d like, buy a Gift Certificate, say from Amazon, and let them choose for themselves. While a bit impersonal, some might actually prefer this gift as it would let them choose whatever they like.

5. Pay Their Hosting Fees

If you can afford it or if the blogger uses affordable web hosting, you can inform them that you’ll be paying for say, a year of web hosting. If they have a PayPal donate or web host donate button on their site, surprise them with a donation, noting that that’s your Christmas gift.

6. Pay for a Blog Redesign

If the blogger has been planning to get a redesign for some time now but can’t afford to, it’s the perfect time to give the gift of blog redesign.

7. Hire a Promotions/SEO Team

If the blogger has been having a hard time optimizing their blog for the search engines as well as having a hard time promoting the blog, you can also find a good service to take over the SEO and promotional efforts for the blog.

8. Coffee

Lots of premium coffee as companion to days when the tendency to sleep gets the better of a person. Get something special you know your friend would like.

9. Something Handmade

Bloggers live alongside technology. We’re always in front of your computers and many of us live the fast life, eating fast food meals, and developing a predilection for everything instant. Giving someone something you personally made would remind us to take it slow at times and live ours lives to the fullest.

Mariella

This entry was posted on Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 11:18 am and is filed under blogging. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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