Home office hits for 2019: Give a working-from-home pal a gift that gets the job done
If you've run out of gift ideas for your sports-loving family member or foodie friend, what can you get them? If they work remotely — as millions of others now do — gift them with a stylish something for their home office that will make doing their business a little easier.
• Kate Spade Grass Cloth File Folder Organizer, $28
You don't have to be an uber-declutterer to appreciate this handsome organizer covered with grass cloth and a metal detail. Instead of receipts and notes scattered all over the desk and piles of folders on the floor, everything will have a place within this three-compartment file folder organizer that sits neatly on a desk. perigold.com.
• Design Ideas Pencil Cup, $18
Don't laugh: Your loved one may be living the digital life but sometimes there's nothing better than using a pen to jot down a quick reminder, to-do list or phone number. That means he'll need a place to keep some pens neatly organized on his desk. Try a matte black holder from the Rebrilliant collection. These have a simplicity that will look good with any office decorating style, no matter if it's traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. wayfair.com.
• Sonos Move Smart Portable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Speaker, $399
Though most desktop computers and laptops are equipped with a built-in speaker, having a separate one can make a world of difference if good sound is paramount to doing a good job, like it would be if someone works with audio files. Good sound may also be essential to motivate someone as the work day progresses. You can find a portable speaker in various sizes and shapes. One to consider: the Move portable Bluetooth speaker. It comes with a hefty price tag but its audio quality and ease-of-use make it an especially nice gift for someone on your holiday list. sonos.com.
• TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp, $40
Overhead lighting isn't enough for someone who sits at a desk all day — she also needs a desk lamp to provide more concentrated light. The TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp is attractive, affordable and gentle on the eyes while you're working. Your friend or family member will appreciate the customizable brightness level and color setting (white, cool, natural, yellow, warm yellow). The lamp's arm can be adjusted, too, so its light is exactly where you want it to be. It has charging USB output for recharging a smartphone while keeping it within reach. amazon.com.
• West Elm Fluted Planter, from $39
An office with only a tidy desk, chair and computer needs to be livened up, and that's where a tabletop plant in a pretty planter comes into play. This elegant earthenware fluted crystal gold planter comes in four sizes (small to large) including a cute windowsill version. Add an easy-to-grow plant like a succulent or philodendron and you've got a gift that will thrive as much as the gift's recipient (plant not included). westelm.com.